Tiffany started sneezing the moment she stepped into the house. Her mother, Thalia Kelley, was both angry and heartbroken at the sight of her disheveled daughter. “Tiffany, did that Harper boy bully you again? Look at you, drenched from head to toe! How could he not care for you or at least bring you home?”
Tiffany would have defended Kenneth in the past, making excuses for him and trying to persuade her family to accept him. She even argued with them numerous times. But she wouldn't do that anymore. Not only was Kenneth not a good person, but she also felt deep guilt toward her family. Even enduring her mother’s endless chatter felt like a blessing now, a far cry from the cold indifference she had faced before.
Feeling a sting in her nose, Tiffany hugged Thalia’s arm and nestled into her warmth. After a moment, she said, “Mom, I want to break off the engagement with Kenneth.”
“What?” Thalia was stunned. She had suggested this previously, only to be met with Tiffany’s fierce resistance. Her daughter’s infatuation with Kenneth had made her deaf to reason. But now, Tiffany was the one bringing it up.
“Are you sure?” Thalia asked, her voice concerned. “You won’t regret it later?”
“Never,” Tiffany replied, smiling confidently, her radiant beauty now shining with newfound determination. “There are plenty of good men out there. Why should I waste my time on him?” Her voice was laced with a deep, unshakable pride.
Thalia felt a wave of relief. She also noticed something different about her daughter—an air of maturity that hadn't been there before.
“Quick, have some milk and take a bath. We can’t have you catching a cold,” Thalia urged. “And after your shower, I’ll tend to your injuries. Even a sprain needs proper attention.”
“Okay!” Tiffany replied sweetly, allowing a helper to assist her upstairs.
Passing her younger brother Eric Kelley’s room, Tiffany entered to find the eight-year-old curled up on his bed, engrossed in a video game. He quickly hid his console and grumbled, “Why didn’t you knock? That’s so rude!”
Tiffany said nothing, simply gazing at her brother with deep affection. Before her eighteenth birthday, a poisoning incident had left Eric mute and mentally impaired. Now, seeing him vibrant and full of energy, scolding her with his sharp tongue, Tiffany felt only gratitude and warmth.
Feeling uneasy under Tiffany’s gaze, Eric mumbled, “Why are you acting so weird today? Did someone bully you again?” Tiffany had been unusually warm and affectionate since getting home, showering everyone with hugs and kisses except their father, who hadn't yet returned from work. She’s definitely acting strange, Eric thought.
“It’s nothing! I just wanted to say I love you,” Tiffany replied, blinking playfully. She laughed heartily when her brother tossed a pillow at her, then happily skipped out of the room.
As the door clicked shut, the awkwardness on Eric’s face disappeared. He grabbed the laptop he had shoved aside and began typing furiously, muttering, “Damn you, Kenneth Harper! How dare you bully my sister? You’ll regret it!” Within minutes, he hacked into Kenneth’s laptop, rendering it unusable.
After a soothing hot bath, Tiffany lay on her bed, fully relaxed. A helper entered, ready to tend to her injuries, but Tiffany smiled and gently took the ointment. “I’ll take care of it myself,” she said. The helper nodded and quietly left.
Tiffany applied the ointment and sat in front of her vanity mirror. Her reflection showed her eighteen-year-old self: fair skin, delicate features, red lips, and white teeth. She had inherited the best traits of her parents, making her a striking beauty. It saddened Tiffany to remember how, in her past life, she had wasted that beauty on a man who didn’t deserve it.
Her smile deepened as she gazed at her reflection. Suddenly, a commotion erupted downstairs. “Finally, they’re here,” Tiffany thought, a cold laugh escaping her as she made her way downstairs.
In the villa’s living room, Sandra was draped around Thalia, her voice dripping with sweetness. “Aunt Thalia, look at this scarf I bought for you. It suits you. Do you like it?” To an outsider, it might have looked like a heartwarming family scene. But to Tiffany, who stood at the top of the staircase with her arms crossed, the scene reeked of cold disdain. (The website promotion has been removed.)
The Olson family had moved to Lovell City from the countryside a year ago because of Tiffany’s father’s soft heart. He felt obligated to help and support them. After endless flattery, he brought them to the city. The Kelleys provided for them, and her father even arranged for her uncle to take on the deputy manager role at the Kelley Group. But their comfort only fed their greed. This shameless family began treating everything that belonged to the Kelleys as their own, eventually harboring murderous intentions.
To Tiffany, the most absurd part was that the Olsons were nothing more than distant relatives. It all came down, she thought, to sheer greed. Yet, she had to acknowledge their skill in manipulation. They had exploited her parents’ kindness, keeping them under their control with feigned sweetness, much like Sandra was doing now.
Tiffany descended the stairs, her footsteps drawing the attention of Thalia and Sandra. In her custom-made gown, her flawless skin and slender figure were captivating. Her stunning face, untouched by makeup, radiated effortless grace. Her spoiled demeanor had transformed into languid elegance and nobility.
As their eyes followed her, Tiffany smiled. It was sweet yet enigmatic, alluring as a rose with hidden thorns and serene as a spring blossom. This blend of charm created a mesmerizing presence. If the old Tiffany had been merely pretty, now she was breathtakingly beautiful, exuding a transcendent grace and magnetic charm.
Sandra was momentarily stunned, sensing a looming threat. When she met Tiffany’s clear almond-shaped eyes, a chilling coldness crept over her.