Chapter 368

Charlie hadn’t slept all night and was too exhausted to waste energy. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

With people frequently passing by in the hospital hallway, Wayne hesitated. “It’s important, about your daughter’s fall into the river. Could we talk inside?”

At the mention of Tiffany, Charlie’s body tensed. He immediately pulled Wayne into the hospital room. “Quick, tell me,” he urged.

“Last night, during the fall, my phone dropped by the cabin entrance near the deck, and I accidentally captured the entire scene on video.”

Wayne hurriedly took his phone from his pocket, opened the video, and held it up to Charlie.

Thalia, lying in bed, opened her eyes at the commotion. “What’s going on? Did you find Tiffany?”

Charlie had wanted to keep Thalia in the dark, but seeing her pale face, he steeled himself and decided otherwise.

“When I asked you before, didn’t you say you saw Tiffany push Melody, and that’s why they both fell?” Charlie asked. “Fine. Here’s footage of what actually happened. Let’s watch it together.”

Charlie’s fingers trembled as he pressed play. The sound of howling wind came through the speaker.

On the deck, Tiffany stood in a stunning red dress, graceful and noble, letting the wind blow around her. Then, Melody appeared. They exchanged inaudible words, then argued. Tiffany didn’t move; Melody was the one taunting her. Though the phone’s distance and the wind muffled the sound, a faint sentence could be heard: “Don’t think acting all high and mighty will fool me. And you want to know the truth about my health? Well, guess what? It’s fake. I’m not sick at all.”

That was Melody’s voice, full of smug arrogance. Charlie and Thalia froze, thinking, Is this really our sweet, innocent daughter?

The video continued. Tiffany slapped Melody, saying, “I didn’t want to deal with a rabid dog, but you, the one who always schemes against her mother, deserve a slap.”

Melody laughed and replied, “So what? Survival of the fittest, and I want what should rightfully be mine. What’s wrong with that?”

Tiffany then grabbed Melody by the neck in warning. But Melody leaned back, pulling Tiffany down with her. A loud splash echoed as the water rose.

Thalia appeared in the video, rushing over in a panic, then choosing to swim toward Melody…

Everyone knew what happened after that.

Thalia was dumbfounded, her lips trembling. “So…everything I saw was a lie? So the choice I made…was wrong?”

Terror overtook her, and she screamed, “I killed Tiffany, my own daughter… I killed my child…”

Eric, nearby, saw his mother’s breakdown and rushed to comfort her. He was about to reveal that Tiffany was safe when a splatter of blood landed on his face.

“Mom!”

“Honey!”

Thalia passed out.

Panicked, Charlie pressed the emergency button, and doctors rushed in. After an examination, one said, “The shock was too much for her.” They placed an oxygen mask on her and connected her to a heart monitor, instructing, “She’s stable for now, but she can’t handle any more stress. Press the button immediately if anything changes.”

“Understood,” Charlie said, wiping the sweat from his forehead, feeling a lingering sense of dread. He hadn’t anticipated things turning out this way; it was like unknowingly dealing another blow to Thalia.

Eric, his face streaked with tears, stayed by her bedside.

Watching, Wayne felt immense guilt. “Mr. Kelley, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Thank you for showing me the truth.” Sometimes, even brutal truths needed to be faced.

Wayne nodded. “By the way, Mr. Kelley, I stopped by your home this morning but only met Miss Melody. On my way here, I realized someone was following me. Once I got to the construction area behind the hospital, that person tried to kill me to silence me.”

Charlie pressed, “What happened then?”

“Miss Kelley saved me. She kicked the guy away in one blow. It was incredible.” Wayne’s ears turned red, clearly in awe.

Charlie was stunned, but he didn’t dwell on the thought that this could be another of Tiffany’s suitors. He latched onto one crucial word and asked urgently, “What did you say? Are you sure you weren’t mistaken? Was it Tiffany?”

“Of course,” Wayne nodded earnestly. “She’s too beautiful. There’s no mistaking it.”

Charlie’s body shook with laughter and tears. “Wonderful, just wonderful! That girl didn’t even bother telling us she was safe, making us worry needlessly!” Charlie cried.

Wayne left with a feeling of satisfaction. With relief, he left without asking for a reward or thanks, departing without a word.

Ten minutes later, Melody arrived at the hospital. She’d been nervous and afraid the whole way. What could be on that video?! she thought. She regretted not forcing the server to stay when she saw him at the villa gate. If she had, none of this would be happening. Anxiety filled her heart.

As she entered the hospital room and felt the tension, she looked up to see Charlie’s ice-cold expression. Melody’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly walked forward, smiling brightly.

“Dad, Mom. I brought clam chowder from home for you both. Please have some while it’s still hot,” Melody said.

The atmosphere was strangely silent. After a long pause, Eric spoke. “What a hypocrite! Who knows if there’s poison in that clam chowder, you scheming snake!”

Melody looked at him, hurt. “Eric… I’m your sister. How could you say that about me?”

“Shut up. I don’t have a sister like you.” Eric turned away, his face full of disdain. If she had truly been as innocent and pure as she appeared, he might not harbor such animosity. But now, he was absolutely done with her.

Melody’s face was full of sadness as she turned to Charlie, pitifully holding out the thermos. “Dad, I had Lucy make it specially, and it’s still hot. Please, have a taste.”

Charlie didn’t take it. Instead, he held up his phone, and with a cold expression, opened the video and asked, “Care to explain this?”