Tiffany Kelley, sitting in a rocking chair, calmly asked, "Are you sure you don't want to tell me?" Declan Jahn smiled slyly. "Miss, it's not that I don't want to; I truly don't know anything!"

Tiffany smirked. "Very well. Let's see how long you can remain tough."

Declan wondered, "What does she mean? Is she going to torture me?" Panic rising, he shouted, "Whatwhat are you guys trying to do? It's illegal to torture people! I—I can sue you for wrongful confinement!"

Tiffany smiled and had someone untie Declan. "What are you saying? You're our guest. Why would we hurt you?" She continued, "Since you're a guest, you don't have any objections to playing with my Lucifer, do you?"

Declan looked wary. He wanted to object and leave, but knew it wouldn't matter. Behind him, Jeremy Cooper whistled, acknowledging Tiffany's instruction.

Lucifer, recently transferred from Royal Bay to Luna Villa, had been restless and welcomed the company. Declan thought, "Lucifer? So she's summoning her pet?"

He sighed in relief, asking casually, "What breed is it? Orange tabby? Black tabby? Are its claws sharp?"

Jeremy stared at Declan as if he were an idiot. Tiffany simply smiled nonchalantly, sipping her juice. Declan snorted scornfully. Hmph! he thought, Even if it bites me, I won't say anything. What could a mere cat do to him?

A creature gamboled across the lawn. Seeing it, Declan smirked. "Gosh, you're quite chubby, aren't you? You're as big as a dog!"

As the creature approached, running incredibly fast and kicking up dust, Declan saw it clearly: not a cat, but a massive tiger! Its gleaming fur, bright eyes, sharp teeth, and low growl conveyed the ferocity of a wild beast.

Declan froze, his skin numb. "Argh! Help!" he cried. Why is there a tiger here? Will it eat me?

The tiger advanced, its growl intensifying. Declan fled, Lucifer trailing behind, almost as if on a leash, deliberately slowing to let Declan run further. After one lap, Declan collapsed from exhaustion. Lucifer roared, causing Declan to shield his head and flee again.

Time stretched interminably, though it was only five minutes before fear weakened his legs, and he fell clumsily. "I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything!"

He had capitulated. Tiffany glanced at Declan, gesturing to the still-growling Lucifer. "Come here."

The menacing tiger instantly became docile, bounding to Tiffany's side and playfully rubbing its head against her feet. It looked nothing like a ferocious beast, more like a cute furball.

Declan, lying limply, felt like cursing. This seemingly harmless girl was more terrifying than a demon!

"Tell me everything you know," Tiffany said. "One lie, and you'll be Lucifer's meal."

"Okay" Declan gritted his teeth. "I have some photos, but they were sold to me. I thought I could make a quick buck."

His words were half-truths. After Alexia Harper's predicament, many purportedly nude photos circulated online; some were opportunistic, making authenticity unclear. Even if the Harpers removed them, gossip couldn't be stopped. Melody Princeton had cleverly leaked some real photos as a precaution; thus, anyone possessing them could claim they were purchased.

Tiffany gave an ambiguous look. "Do you honestly think I don't know the inside story? Six nights ago, Melody Princeton instructed you to deal with me, then Alexia Harper. Her motive: to frame me and cause a rift between the Kelley and Harper families. You acted well, but Jade Payne discovered your plan. To silence Jade, Melody destroyed all evidence. Am I right?"

Declan's expression shifted with each accurate word. But then: "Who's Jade Payne? The female corpse at Creek Lane? Melody was responsible?"

He and his gang had left after their act; Melody had taken Alexia. They didn't know what happened afterward.

"That's right," Tiffany concluded with an unfathomable expression. "With Melody's ruthless personality, do you think she'll shift the blame once the murder is exposed?"

Declan's expression changed again. They knew each other's characters well. Melody would definitely try to evade responsibility.

Tiffany continued, "Melody has the Harper family scion's backing, and Jansen Princeton is her future brother-in-law. What about you? What do you have? Who will be abandoned? The answer is obvious."

Declan was silent. The earlier threat hadn't worked, but these words made him waver. It was every man for himself. He hadn't committed the murder, and if Tiffany was right, he'd be the scapegoat.

He asked solemnly, "But how can you be sure this murder will be solved? You said Melody will never reveal anything, and you don't have concrete evidence."

Tiffany smiled faintly. "Tomorrow. By tomorrow, I will make Melody Princeton confess all her crimes."

Declan looked at the confident young girl, who seemed to have a plan. Her words were incredible, yet believable.

He gritted his teeth. "Then what do you want me to do?"

(Note: The final promotional sentence for FindNovel.net was removed as it was not part of the story itself.)