Chapter 342
Melody remembered saying hurtful things to Yvonne, mostly insults aimed at Tiffany and discussions of their plan. Melody's boldness stemmed from the original plan: Yvonne was supposed to drive away after the car crashed. However, Tiffany's unexpected appearance and Yvonne's failure to escape—resulting in Yvonne's exposure of Melody—threw a wrench in everything. Melody had checked the car, but hadn't anticipated a recording device. Yvonne's counterattack was brilliant; Melody couldn't deny her involvement.
Gritting her teeth, Melody thought, "No! I can't let this happen! If Thalia hears the recording, I'll never clear my name!" An idea struck her.
She approached Yvonne, feigning disbelief. "Ms. Yvonne Shaw, you were injured the day before yesterday. I saved you. How could you repay kindness with ingratitude and frame me?"
Turning to Thalia, she hurriedly explained, "Mrs. Kelley, Ms. Shaw passed by my house. Seeing her injuries, I brought her home to treat her wounds. I never expected" She sighed, "…to end up like this after saving her."
Yvonne was astonished by Melody's performance. Even she, involved in the plot, would have believed Melody's act.
Thalia frowned, her belief uncertain. "Facts speak louder than words," she said. "I believe you're innocent." She walked to the red sedan, ready to search for the recording device.
Seeing this, Melody grew nervous, trembling at the thought of her potential downfall if the device was found. Yvonne, however, wore a proud expression. Initially, she hadn't wanted to implicate Melody, but Melody had devised the plan, promising Yvonne's safety. The exposure left Yvonne unwilling to be the sole scapegoat. They were supposed to be allies; Yvonne refused to bear the burden alone, thus dragging Melody down with her. Yvonne's ruthless expression betrayed her anger; she regretted not taking Tiffany down with them.
Tiffany, ignoring Yvonne's outburst, was about to search the car with Thalia when she noticed something on the car's chassis. Her expression changed instantly. She quickly pulled Thalia away as the chassis burst into flames. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the car in seconds. Despite Tiffany's quick reaction, her arm was singed.
Thalia, bewildered, checked Tiffany's arm. "Are you burned?" "No, I'm fine," Tiffany replied, shaking her head.
Exclamations arose from the crowd as onlookers scattered, fearing an explosion. David, the chauffeur, grabbed a fire extinguisher and extinguished the flames, aided by other bystanders. Within three minutes, the fire was out. However, the car's sudden combustion had destroyed the recording device, rendering it irreparable. The plastic casing was melted beyond recognition.
Yvonne stood, stunned. "How could this be? How could this be?" Her only evidence was gone. Without the recording, Melody could claim innocence.
Yvonne yelled, "No way! This is impossible! You did something to the car! You did this!" She struggled against the officers' restraint, but was taken away. The crowd dispersed.
Thalia, twice frightened that day, felt exhausted. She went straight home, skipping her salon appointment.
Before leaving, Thalia noticed Melody, still standing there, eyes filled with grievance. Thalia sighed and beckoned Melody closer. "You must have been frightened too. Come, get in the car. I'll take you home."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kelley," Melody replied, timidly entering the car, her eyes red and filled with distress. Thalia comforted her, "It's alright. It's over now."
Unexpectedly, Melody lowered her head, tears streaming down her face. "Mrs. Kelley, I'm not worried about myself. I just saw you in danger. I was terrified I don't know why, but you seem so familiar. I want to be close to you." She quickly added, "I have no ulterior motive. It's just a feeling. Please don't misunderstand me."
"I won't," Thalia replied, looking away. She felt the same way—a mysterious maternal connection. Thalia subdued her sadness, saying, "Be careful. Don't harm others, but be wary. Protect yourself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kelley. I know," Melody replied, wiping her tears and forcing a smile. "I need to thank you you almost got injured saving me again" She glanced at Tiffany, subtly suggesting Thalia's willingness to risk her life for her.
Tiffany chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her eyes. She found the car fire too coincidental to believe it was accidental. Thalia risking her life for Melody was also perplexing. Remembering the $200,000 check Charlie gave the Princeton family, Tiffany suspected an inside story and decided to investigate thoroughly.