Chapter 308
Richard's icy dark eyes brimmed with hidden hostility and killing intent. His face, utterly devoid of empathy, registered only endless disgust. Two words rolled off his tongue mercilessly: "Cid lost."
Grelle's delighted smile froze, as did her excited heart. However, she quickly recovered, smiling sweetly. Boldly stepping forward, she presented a steaming roasted sweet potato. "Sir, I roasted it especially for you! Please try it!"
No one could bear to hurt such an innocent and adorable girl. Tiffany's expression remained calm, betraying no emotion; only her tightly clenched hands revealed her nervousness. Richard said nothing, making his demeanor all the more terrifying. Grelle continued offering the sweet potato, but Richard's gaze remained fixed intently on Tiffany. His dark eyes were unfathomable. Grelle attempted to approach again, but someone stopped her.
John Ross said emotionlessly, "Thanks, but no. Take care; I won't send you off."
Richard hated people getting close and touching him most of all. Was this young girl courting death? Despite the rebuff, Grelle still smiled. Finally, she thrust the roasted sweet potato into John's hands and called out to Richard again: "It's really delicious, Sir! You have to try it!" With that, she stuck out her tongue in embarrassment and ran away.
She was full of vitality, like the natural beauty of the valley—innocent, pure, beautiful, and lovable. Tiffany sighed. Such a delightful girl, appealing even to women, was surely irresistible to most men. Throughout the incident, she lacked the courage to look directly at Richard, and consequently never saw his eyes boring into her.
Seeing Tiffany unmoved, Richard felt even more frustrated. Wasn't she angry that someone was trying to please him? Or did this heartless girl simply not care? Richard's eyes glinted as the terrifying fury within him became even more palpable. His flawless, handsome face was downright frosty. Like an Asura descended to the mortal world, his entire body was filled with murderous animosity. Unease spread through the crowd. Everyone kept their heads low, trying to avoid becoming the next unlucky person.
In the next second, Richard strode purposefully toward Tiffany. The tall man's shadow loomed over her bit by bit. Tiffany's heart pounded madly. Under the rising sun, the long shadows of the two gradually intersected on the ground. A refreshing, pleasant scent wafted to Tiffany's nose as he approached.
Eventually, she raised her head and saw a devilishly handsome face. Richard pursed his thin lips. His dark eyes were sharp and threatening, icy and emotionless. Tiffany's palms became clammy, and she felt inexplicably nervous. Ever since the confrontation at Royal Bay, she hadn't contacted Richard. To say she wasn't angry about Ged Moody's death would be a lie. What she found even more unacceptable was his use of her as bait.
Tormented by conflicting emotions, Tiffany didn't know how to face him. She lowered her head and stared intently at her shoes. Cracks spiderwebbed the ground. Ants relocated their nest. Rain seemed imminent.
"Hmph!" A scornful snort, imbued with suppressed anger, was heard. The next second, Richard swept past her with a stony expression. John hurried after him, tossing the still-steaming sweet potato away in disgust along the way.
Tiffany finally breathed easily, though her face betrayed no emotion. "Let's go." Zoe immediately followed, as did Kenneth and his group, each member lost in thought. Only Melody was secretly pleased, almost laughing out loud. To think she'd believed those rumors, thinking Tiffany was lucky to have caught Richard's eye! This encounter proved the rumors false, making her much happier.
Her only worry was Sandra Olson's absence. Should she proceed with the plan or wait? She didn't want this to be a futile trip; she couldn't pass up such a rare opportunity.
Soon, the group reached the current elementary school in Melvor Mountain, guided by a villager. Though called a school, it was an extremely rudimentary and run-down building. The external walls were decrepit, the roof leaked, and it looked like it might collapse at any time—quite dangerous to be inside. After discussing with the villagers, Kenneth chose a flat area for the new school's site, away from future roads and bridge construction to avoid obstruction.
While Kenneth spoke with the villagers, Melody, unable to interrupt, wandered nearby. Suddenly, a stone hit her leg. "Who is it?" Melody turned around angrily. She suspected Zoe or Tiffany, but turning, she saw Sanitra Olson hiding in the bushes. Olson beckoned. "What are you waiting for? Come here."
Melody quickly checked her surroundings, then hurried to Sandra. "Didn't you say you would act last night? It's morning, and nothing happened."
"What's the hurry?" Sandra handed Melody a small paper bag. "There's a farm-to-table feast in the village tonight. Find a way to add this to the food. When everyone's asleep, lure Tiffany Kelley to the mountain."
"This is a drug? But didn't you say Tiffany is immune to all drugs?" Melody was puzzled.
"This isn't for her. It's to make the villagers sleep. As for you, don't show up at the wrong time and ruin my plans, understand?"
"Got it." Melody, after thinking, understood Sandra's plan. Drugged villagers would be unable to rescue Tiffany; any harm to her could be attributed to an accident. With no surveillance or evidence, who could trace it to Sandra and Melody?
Sandra continued, "By the way, I've prepared things on the mountain. Tiffany is vigilant. Are you confident you can lure her up?"
Melody smiled confidently. "Don't worry." She put away the bag of knockout powder and returned to Kenneth's side as Sandra slipped away quietly. Everything was settled without attracting attention.
The two girls were confident, unaware that in a nearby tree, a disguised Jeremy Cooper perched, a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, observing emotionlessly. There was indeed a lavish farm-to-table feast planned for the village that night—the villagers' most lavish way to welcome guests. Every family contributed the best ingredients, employing the village's best chef to prepare a delectable spread. The cook and her helpers began preparing in the afternoon; more than a dozen people bustled in the communal kitchen. Tiffany sat in a wicker chair, eyes closed. Zoe hesitated before tentatively asking, "Tiffany, did you did you quarrel with Ms. Hampton?"
In Zoe's eyes, Tiffany and Richard were a couple. Therefore, seeing Richard that morning, she was happy. She didn't know their relationship had hit a roadblock, becoming tense and awkward.