Tiffany was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. When Zoe heard the spreading rumors, she erupted, arguing with several people. “You’re talking nonsense! This is slander!” she raged. She was furious. The previous night, the three of them had clearly returned home together in a car. Besides, how could Tiffany have done this? Those people were incredibly gullible to believe such preposterous rumors. Most importantly, the rumor originated with Alexia, who was clearly seeking revenge. It was despicable.
Zoe was livid. Ged was also perplexed. "Who killed Jade?" he wondered aloud. It was highly likely she was silenced because she’d witnessed something she shouldn't have.
Tiffany was stunned by the rumors. She suspected Melody. However, after Alexia’s kidnapping the previous night, Melody had risked her life to save her. 'But all of this wasn't it too coincidental?' Tiffany mused. Regardless, the feud between the Kelley and Harper families had irrevocably escalated. Their relationship had completely dissolved, and the families were practically at war.
The Harper family severed all ties with the Kelley family. Many others followed suit, abandoning the Kelley Group to curry favor with the Harpers. The Kelley Group's stock plummeted immediately. Half their contracts were broken, and potential partners withdrew. Worse still, Tiffany was relentlessly attacked online. Though there was no evidence linking her to the murder, the relentless rumors had already branded her as the culprit.
The rumors spread rapidly, gaining traction with each retelling until everyone believed them. The Harper family was clearly fanning the flames. Tiffany was temporarily suspended from school.
Her parents, Charlie and Thalia, were beside themselves with rage. Thalia nearly fainted. "Which bastard framed my daughter?!" she cried. "How dare they fabricate such lies! I'm going to confront the Harpers and demand they show some conscience!" Charlie echoed her fury. Tiffany stopped them. “Dad, Mom, please. It’s just rumors. I didn’t do anything wrong, and I’m not afraid of an investigation.”
While still furious, Charlie and Thalia saw the determination in Tiffany's eyes. She was no longer the naive girl who avoided conflict; she had matured and was capable of handling the situation, even of protecting the Kelley family. Their anger was tempered by pride and sorrow—the bittersweet ache of watching their child grow up. They finally relented and agreed not to confront the Harpers.
Tiffany went to Luna Villa, instructing June to investigate the previous night's events while she and Jeremy visited Jade's home. Jade's death was truly bizarre. One day she was vibrant and alive, the next she was gone, and Tiffany was framed for her murder. Tiffany was determined to uncover the truth and clear her name.
At the Harper residence, Romeo had already shattered several coffee cups in his rage. Alexia’s medical examination wasn't catastrophic, but it was infuriating. The Harper family's beloved daughter had been kidnapped and photographed; the potential release of those photos was a deeply humiliating prospect.
Romeo was beside himself. Ryan, equally enraged, barked orders. “Investigate! Find those responsible! I want them punished! And the Kelley family… I want them driven out of Lovell City!”
His subordinates immediately sprang into action. Ryan then turned his attention to Alexia's driver, who was kneeling before him. This man had driven Alexia for years, but his failure to protect her was unforgivable.
Ryan's face was a mask of icy fury. The terrified driver pleaded for mercy. “Please forgive me! I didn’t know this would happen!” he wailed.
Ryan dismissed him with a curt wave. "You're banished from Lovell City."
The driver, resigned to his fate, prepared to leave. Romeo stopped him. “Wait. Why did Alexia go to Creek Lane?”
The driver, fearing Romeo’s piercing gaze, confessed. “On the way back, she demanded I chase a car. Miss Kelley was in that car…”
Romeo pressed further. "What happened then?"
“I pursued them to the Sky Spring Bar. When Miss Kelley got out, Miss Harper told me to drive over. I hesitated… Then Miss Harper slapped Miss Kelley…”
Ryan exploded. "It's Tiffany again! I don't believe she's uninvolved. I'm going to deal with her now!"
The driver’s heart sank. Wasn’t it clear that Alexia had instigated the conflict, attempting to run Tiffany down? The slap was a justified reaction. And it was Alexia's own recklessness that led to her kidnapping and subsequent ordeal.