Chapter 334

Charlie and Owen witnessed this. They exchanged glances and began questioning Tiffany together.

One asked, "How did you know so many people who seem like gangsters?"

The other asked, "Did they cause you trouble before? Were you bullied? Did you suffer? Why didn't you tell us?"

Tiffany realized she'd made a mistake. She blinked, about to slip away, when her father and Owen simultaneously said, "Tell us the truth!"

Under their intense gaze, Tiffany confessed everything. However, she glossed over the part where she subdued the men until they admitted defeat. She told her father and Owen that school security guards apprehended the bullies as soon as they confronted her.

Relieved, Charlie said, "What a relief. I didn't pay the security fee for nothing."

Tiffany nodded obediently. She was a skilled actress.

Unexpectedly, Owen was suspicious. "Then why were they so afraid of you? And who asked them to bully you?"

This question was incisive.

Tiffany's expression didn't change. "They were afraid because I reported them to the police station. Later, according to their confession, Sandra instigated Jordan to do it."

Hearing Sandra's involvement again, Charlie frowned. He remembered Sandra's visit last night with the paternity test report. While she had revealed his biological daughter's whereabouts, he suspected her motives were malicious.

Owen didn't dwell on it. In everyone's eyes, Sandra was dead, and the Booth family had fallen. Even knowing the truth, pursuing the matter was pointless.

Charlie said, "No matter what, be more careful in the future. Bring more bodyguards when you go out."

"Got it," Tiffany replied with a smile. Secretly, she knew bodyguards were unnecessary; she could easily handle a group of thugs.

Without further trouble, the evening went smoothly. Owen's newly opened restaurant served uniquely delicious food, using his ancestors' recipes, fresh ingredients, and a distinctive style. Its reputation spread rapidly. The opening day was incredibly successful.

By the time Tiffany and her father returned, it was past ten. Eric, usually an early sleeper, stayed up with Thalia, waiting for them.

When he heard them, Eric jumped up. "Hey, you're home, Tiffany!"

The anticipation in his eyes was both endearing and heartbreaking. Tiffany pinched his face, jokingly saying, "You should have come with us, shouldn't you?"

Eric protested, "But I changed my mind and wanted to go, and you left without calling me!"

He then tiptoed to examine Tiffany's face, worriedly asking, "Does it still hurt, Tiffany?"

Charlie, largely ignored by his son since their arrival, was initially disheartened, but Eric's words stunned him. He asked, "What happened? Did you hurt your face?"

Tiffany denied it. "No."

She subtly warned her brother to be quiet, then turned to Thalia, blinking. "Mom, didn't you save some pumpkin soup for me? I'd like some."

She was changing the subject.

Thalia understood Tiffany's desire to avoid a family argument and her concealment of the truth from Charlie.

Thalia sighed, feeling guilty and heartbroken. She had slapped Tiffany hard that afternoon. While the swelling had subsided, the slap had undoubtedly damaged their relationship.

Thalia, suppressing her bitterness, asked the servant to bring the pumpkin soup.

Tiffany pretended to enjoy the soup, finishing two bowls. Seeing her cheerful demeanor, Thalia gradually calmed down.

After the soup, Tiffany led Eric upstairs. "It's late. Mom, Dad, go to sleep. We're going to bed."

"Okay," Thalia replied.

Upstairs, Tiffany rushed to the bathroom and vomited.

Eric was shocked. He patted her back, anxiously asking, "Tiffany, what's wrong? Are you unwell? I'll call the doctor!"

Tiffany stopped him. "Don't."

She endured the nausea, saying, "I'm fine. I just ate too much."

She'd eaten a lot at Owen's and forced herself to finish the two bowls of soup. She was overwhelmingly full.

Eric was on the verge of tears. "Tiffany, how could you be more greedy than me? You shouldn't have forced yourself!"

She'd eaten the soup not out of greed, but to appease Thalia. Only by finishing it and smiling brightly could she soothe her sensitive and imaginative mother.

Tiffany vomited twice more before feeling better. She rinsed her mouth and cautioned Eric, "Keep this a secret. Don't tell anyone about today, okay?"

"Got it," Eric nodded seriously.

Despite Tiffany's efforts, Charlie remained suspicious. Back in their room, he asked Thalia, "What happened at home after I left today?"

Thalia had no intention of hiding anything. They had always been open with each other. She told him everything.

Hearing that Tiffany had splashed hot soup on Melody's face, Charlie immediately denied it. "No way. My daughter would never do that!" He believed there must be a reason.

Thalia agreed. "That's what I thought. But initially, I I was so upset, I lost my temper and slapped Tiffany"

"How could you?" Charlie was stunned. "How could you hit our daughter?" He almost swore, but seeing his wife's guilt, he controlled his anger. "This can't happen again. And remember the decision we made yesterday."

He referred to their agreement to maintain their charade and not acknowledge Melody.

"I know," Thalia sighed. Knowing her biological daughter was nearby, she felt she couldn't ignore Melody. She honestly replied, "I'll try my best to keep my promise."

"I know it's hard," Charlie held his wife. It was a difficult choice for a mother. He comforted her, adding, "Melody is dating Kenneth, who publicly defied his family, saying he'd only marry Melody."