Chapter 361
Tiffany's hand was held tightly by Melody. When Melody fell, the force of the impact prevented her from regaining her balance. The next second, Tiffany was pulled down as well. They both plunged from the cruise ship's high deck into the cold river.
Plop! Two splashes followed one another.
Thalia emerged from her cabin and witnessed the scene. Her eyes widened in shock. "Tiffany!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. Her whole body trembled. Without hesitation, she tossed aside her satchel and lunged toward the deck, ready to jump and save her daughter.
However, Tiffany and Melody were a considerable distance apart in the water. Saving Tiffany would mean abandoning Melody, and vice versa. Thalia hesitated, her scalp tingling. For a moment, she was paralyzed by indecision. Melody, struggling in the water, looked at her hopefully. "Mom, save me… Save me…"
She called out only a few times before choking on several mouthfuls of water. Then, her body began to sink. Thalia didn't hesitate any longer and jumped in. She chose to save Melody.
The river's surface churned, offering no respite to the drowning women. Tiffany was not far away; the water gradually submerged her head. Before she sank, she saw Thalia frantically swimming toward Melody.
It was a mother's desperate act. Thalia wasn't strong, but her potential was limitless. She successfully reached the shore with Melody.
Safe, Melody raised her head and looked toward Tiffany. Her smile was dazzling and smug. Then, she mouthed, "Actually, I can swim."
"Isn't that ridiculous?" Tiffany choked on water, watching the mother and daughter drift farther away. Thalia's worry and anxiety had not been for her.
At that moment, Tiffany finally understood Melody's words before she'd been pulled into the water: "Also, I'll tell you another cruel truth. If we're all in danger, will your family, whom you're risking your life to protect, save you or me?"
The answer was already clear, and it was indeed cruel. Tiffany smiled bitterly. The river water was freezing, but it couldn't compare to the chill in her heart.
On the cruise ship, a waiter finally noticed someone had fallen overboard. He immediately shouted for help. Security guards rushed out and jumped into the river, rescuing the exhausted Thalia and Melody. The commotion attracted the attention of other guests.
Chapter 361 (continued)
A security guard knelt, asking, "Madam, Miss, are you alright?"
"I'm fine…" Thalia sighed in relief, looking at the unharmed Melody.
The next second, she seemed to remember something. Her expression changed drastically. "Tiffany! Quickly! Tiffany is still in the water!" she shouted sharply.
She scrambled to her feet and rushed to the edge of the deck. But the river was calm; there was no sign of Tiffany.
Thalia collapsed. Her face was pale, and her lips, blue from the cold, trembled.
The security guard said, "When we arrived, we only saw the two of you. Did anyone else fall? I'm afraid… she's doomed."
"No!" Thalia grabbed the guard's hand frantically, begging hoarsely, "Save my daughter! She can't swim!"
'Oh my god, what have I done?' Thalia thought furiously. Then, she spat out blood and fainted.
The scene became chaotic again.
"Mom!" Melody rushed over, sobbing worriedly. However, unseen by anyone, a smile played on her lips. 'Serves you right! Let that bitch Tiffany drown!'
Just as she felt smug, she heard a splash and the security guard's warning: "Mr. Harper, Mr. Harper, it's dangerous! Please don't…"
Water sprayed everywhere. Kenneth jumped in without hesitation.
Charlie arrived to find Thalia unconscious with medical personnel attending to her. As for Tiffany… she had disappeared beneath the surface.
While her whereabouts were unknown, the river was deep. To be blunt, Tiffany was almost certainly dead.
Upon hearing this, Eric cried toward the river, "Tiffany! Tiffany, where are you?" He would have jumped in if not for those holding him back.
The cruise ship's security had deployed a life raft and skilled swimmers, but hope was fading. Even if found, the prolonged submersion made survival unlikely.
Charlie slumped to the floor, his elegant demeanor replaced by the appearance of a man aged ten years in an instant. Everyone's eyes were filled with sympathy. The joyous occasion had turned tragic.
In the river, Tiffany's mind raced.
She felt her consciousness fading, her lungs burning. The water was deep and dark, the surrounding darkness like the gaping maw of a wild beast. Nothing was visible, nothing felt certain.
She struggled, tried to rise, but failed. Her consciousness blurred; she could muster no strength. Finally, she closed her eyes.
However, she wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but at the last moment, she saw a figure rush toward her with incredible speed.
The man embraced her and kissed her.
In her semi-conscious state, Tiffany greedily absorbed the oxygen he provided. Her body rose rapidly. With a whoosh, they broke the surface.
"Ahem…" Tiffany coughed violently, gasping for air.
After a long time, she looked up. Before her was a handsome face she never tired of seeing. He had sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, a high straight nose, and thin lips pressed together. His deep, sea-like eyes locked onto hers.
It was Richard, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
Tiffany was stunned. A lump formed in her throat, and she threw herself into his arms.
"Boohoo, bastard, why are you only here now?" she cried, her eyes red.
Richard's heart ached. He lifted her and carried her steadily to shore.
Tiffany continued to complain, sobbing, "Didn't you say you'd be back in two days? Liar, big liar!"
"Be good, don't cry," Richard wiped her tears. His cold gaze was gentle and adoring.
Tiffany gradually stopped crying.
Then, he suddenly grabbed her chin. His eyes burned with passion. He looked into her eyes, absorbing every expression, before asking slowly, "Can you tell me the answer to the question I asked you before I left?"
(The final character, 色, is not a word and has been omitted.)