Chapter 345

Tiffany didn't know that after she left, Thalia hesitated several times before knocking on her door, asking, "Tiffany? Tiffany? Are you asleep?"

There was no response.

Thalia stood at the door, believing her daughter didn't want to see her. Her heart ached, and with red eyes, she whispered through the door, "I'm sorry, Tiffany. It's my fault for what happened today."

Returning home, David's words brought a realization. He'd said she was in a bad state, but that was a euphemism; he meant she was biased, too kind to an outsider while neglecting her own daughter. She couldn't deny this.

After speaking, Thalia knocked lightly again, but there was still no answer. Finally, she lowered her head and went downstairs in despair.

Late that night, an autumn wind blew. Tiffany entered a car parked by the roadside. June was driving.

Tiffany instructed, "Let's go."

June slowly started the car. Their destination was Melody's house. Tiffany found the evening's events bizarre. The car belonged to Yvonne, and Tiffany knew Yvonne was unaware of the unexplained car fire. Coincidentally, the car's recording device was destroyed. Tiffany sat in the backseat, eyes closed in thought.

There was little traffic. Ten minutes later, the car stopped near the Princeton family's rented villa.

June asked, "Ms. Kelley, we're here. Do you need me to come with you?"

"No, thank you." Tiffany got out. This time, she didn't climb over a wall or window; she pressed the doorbell.

The occupants were likely asleep, but Karl awoke and opened the door. Tiffany heard him cursing from afar. "Who is it? Why are you knocking at my door in the middle of the night? You're disturbing my sleep! If you're not here to give me money, I will beat you up!"

Karl cursed as he opened the door, then was stunned. Standing before him was an exquisitely beautiful girl with exceptional composure.

Karl asked, "Who are you?"

He frowned, about to curse, when the girl threw more than ten stacks of cash at him.

Tiffany asked, "Is this enough?"

Speechless, Karl rubbed his eyes, thinking he was dreaming. After picking up the money, he pinched his thigh, then smiled. "It's enough. Come in, come in."

He ushered Tiffany inside obsequiously. "Come here. Have a seat."

Inside, Tiffany smelled a sour odor. She frowned, noticing trash piled in the corner, probably unemptied for days. Cigarette butts and beer bottles littered the floor. It was a nice villa, completely ruined.

Tiffany endured the discomfort and sat on the sofa. "I'm here to ask a few questions."

"What kind of questions?" Karl, having received the money, was amenable. "Ask away. I'll tell you everything I know!"

Tiffany asked, "Is your daughter home?"

Karl said, "No. Her boyfriend picked her up for dinner tonight." He added proudly, "My daughter is very capable. Her boyfriend is a rich young master!"

Tiffany nodded. "Then I have another question. My father sent someone with a check for $200,000. You haven't forgotten that, right?"

Karl said, "So you're Miss Kelley? Of course, I remember!" He wouldn't forget such a large sum.

Karl looked excited, rubbing his hands. "Well, I spent most of the money last time. I wonder when your father's next check will arrive."

Tiffany found his greed alarming.

She gave a half-smile. "Do you know why my father gave you the money?"

"I don't know," Karl said indifferently. "I'll always accept money. Why should I care about the reason?"

Tiffany said, "Then tell me, what did my father say when he gave you the check?"

Karl answered, "Your bodyguard gave me the money and said your father told me to treat my daughter better. Otherwise, he wouldn't give me money and would cripple me!"

Tiffany remained silent. It was clearly because of Melody.

She clenched her fists. "Is Melody your daughter?" she asked, a question that had long troubled her.

"Of course!" Karl was momentarily stunned, then nodded warily. "Miss Kelley, what do you mean? Don't tell me you're not going to give me money." His greed was evident.

Tiffany said in a deep voice, "Is she your biological daughter? Answer honestly!"

Karl panicked, then nodded. "Of course. I raised her for so many years. Otherwise, why would I raise her?"

Tiffany's gaze was sharp. His words were suspicious. She wanted to believe him but dared not. However, she'd achieved her goal. She stood to leave when a laugh came from the doorway. Melody stood there, having obviously been outside for some time.

She walked in, looking at Tiffany without blinking. Smiling brightly, she said, "If you want to know, isn't it more direct to ask me?"

Tiffany gave a half-smile. "Ask you? What are you trying to tell me?"

"There's so much I want to tell you," Melody said, her gaze turning cruel. "For example, you took my position, replaced my identity, and obtained what should have been mine! You stole my parents' love and everything I had!"

Melody approached, ignoring Karl, who was counting money. Her charming face was filled with ferocity.

"Tell me," Melody said, "why haven't you dropped dead yet?"

Tiffany stepped back in disbelief. Her suspicions were correct. What she'd never dared to consider became absurd and sad.

Melody continued, "Because of you, my biological parents wouldn't acknowledge me. I should have been living comfortably, but because of you, I have to live with this trash! Didn't you want to know my background? Now you know! Bastard, you stole my place! What right do you have?"

Melody's face was filled with viciousness, anger, and resentment. Her words made Tiffany's face turn pale.