Chapter 341

Thalia cried. Realizing her debt to Melody extended beyond simple obligation, she wept. Tiffany, less affected, wiped her mother's tears, saying, "It's okay, Mom. It just looked dangerous. The car's stopped now."

Despite Tiffany's reassurances, Thalia remained pale and visibly shaken. Tiffany asked the chauffeur, David, to help Thalia into her car to compose herself.

The near-accident—a red car careening out of control on the busy city streets—had terrified onlookers. After regaining their composure, they angrily condemned the red car's driver.

"Do you know how to drive?" one shouted. "You almost killed someone!"

Another added, "Luckily, she stopped in time. The consequences would have been unimaginable! I was terrified just watching, but that girl stayed so calm. Impressive!"

Yvonne remained hidden in her car, too afraid to emerge. Meanwhile, Melody, ignored by everyone, felt stunned and troubled.

Melody thought, What's going on? What's happening? I can't believe it. I planned everything perfectly, even placing blood bags on myself. If the car hit me, the blood would make me look horribly injured. Then, I'd appear near death, forcing Thalia to tell the truth! I'd finally be acknowledged as her biological daughter! After the hospital, I'd seem seriously hurt, but it would be a minor injury. Surviving this disaster would make Thalia stick to her word. My return to the Kelley family would be imminent. However, I never expected Thalia would risk her life to save me. Even that worked in my plan. I was confident I could control the situation. But why did Tiffany suddenly appear? My entire plan is ruined! The accident I orchestrated was thwarted. Tiffany didn't hesitate to save her mother. I wasted so much effort, and Tiffany won. Now Thalia will care most about Tiffany, right?

Melody, outwardly panicked and scared, rushed to Thalia's car, crying, "Mrs. Kelley, are you alright? I was terrified!"

Tears streamed down her face as she continued, "Mrs. Kelley, why are you so kind? My parents have never been kind. They only hit and scolded me, calling me a good-for-nothing."

Thalia's heart ached at the girl's distress. She gently brushed Melody's hair, whispering, "Don't cry. It's alright now. Trust me. You'll have a good life, and no one will bully you anymore."

Melody thought, Does this mean she's given up on acknowledging me? No! I can't let this happen! Panicked, she clenched her fists but forced a weak smile. "Perhaps, but I no longer look forward to it. There's no point in my living."

"Don't say such silly things!" Thalia looked away. "Everyone deserves a good life. Don't have suicidal thoughts. You're young; you have a bright future. Don't take things so hard."

"Okay," Melody choked, nodding.

Thalia, with a heavy heart, offered, "You must be frightened. Come, sit beside me and have some water."

The limousine was spacious, equipped with a refrigerator, red wine, and warm water. Thalia poured a glass and handed it to Melody. Seated beside Thalia, Melody seethed inwardly; her efforts had been for naught. She'd meticulously plotted and manipulated Thalia, almost forcing a confession. But today's incident rendered her schemes useless.

Melody looked down, her grip on the glass tightening, her fingers paling, her expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, Tiffany had pulled Yvonne from the red sedan. With a faint smile, she asked, "What's wrong? Surprised to see me?"

Yvonne cowered. She'd taken Tiffany's potent pill and was under her control. Her task was to monitor Melody, but Tiffany had seen through her deception. Yvonne not only failed to report Melody's plan but even helped her. Even when Tiffany appeared, Yvonne had intended to kill her, screaming inwardly, Kill her! Yet, at the last moment, seeing Tiffany produce an antidote, Yvonne slammed on the brakes. Without the antidote, even successful revenge meant death. Besides, the car's speed wouldn't have guaranteed Tiffany's death.

Exposed, Yvonne trembled. "I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again!"

"Do you think I care about your promises?" Tiffany sneered, releasing Yvonne's arm. Turning to the arriving police officer, she said, "Attempted murder isn't a minor crime. Judge accordingly."

Yvonne was arrested. Indignant, she struggled, shouting, "No! It's a misunderstanding! I'm innocent! I was instructed! This wasn't my idea! Let me go!"

Tiffany, digging her ear, glanced at Yvonne nonchalantly. "Instructed? By whom? Without evidence, you can't slander."

"I have proof!" Yvonne nodded frantically, seizing a lifeline. "There's a recording in my car! It proves I was instructed!"

"Who instructed you?" Thalia asked, exiting the car upon hearing Yvonne's shouts. Regardless of premeditation, a thorough investigation was necessary.

Melody's expression changed as Thalia exited, but it was too late. Yvonne, wanting to avoid blame, pointed at Melody, shouting, "She did it! She instructed me! She wanted to stage a show! She's the mastermind! Arrest her!"

Thalia's expression shifted. "What did you say?"

"Melody Princeton is the mastermind!" Yvonne insisted. "There's a recorder in my car. I'm innocent!"

Melody's face went pale at mention of the recorder. She'd spent the entire day with Yvonne, awaiting Thalia's departure. She knew their recorded conversations would expose her.