Chapter 422

“Grelle?” It took Tiffany a moment to recognize the name. Grelle was the lively, energetic, pretty girl from Melvor Mountain Village. Tiffany remembered Grelle begging to come to Lovell City with them after their charity work, but she'd refused.

“Are you sure?” Tiffany asked doubtfully.

Zoe shook her head. “I’m not sure. It’s been a while. I might be mistaken. Maybe it wasn't her; just someone who looked like her.” The girl Zoe saw was dressed in a youthful, trendy style—the opposite of the simple Grelle she remembered. Even her demeanor was different. Zoe concluded she'd been mistaken, wiping her mouth with relief.

“I must have been wrong. Let’s go, Tiffany. That barbecue kiosk is just ahead; their food is amazing!”

Tiffany nodded, glanced back at the spot Zoe had been looking, saw nothing unusual, and left.

After they were gone, Grelle peeked out from behind another kiosk. Confirming Tiffany and Zoe were gone, she patted her chest in relief. “That was close,” she thought.

Her companion asked, “Grelle, what’s wrong? Why were you hiding? You’re beautiful!”

“It’s nothing. I saw friends but was too embarrassed to say hello,” Grelle said with a smile. Her innocent appearance was appealing. She had a guileless face, and her smile created endearing crescent moons around her eyes. Many passersby turned to look at her.

Her companion disagreed. “What’s there to be embarrassed about? Let your old friends see you. You’ll be famous soon; they won't be worthy of being your friends then.”

“Don’t say that,” Grelle said humbly, her cheeks flushing. Her bashfulness made her even more appealing.

Her companion pursed her lips. “It’s the truth.”

“Gosh, let’s go! We’ll be late!” Grelle grabbed her companion’s hand and hurried off.

Once in the taxi, however, she looked back at the street, a faint smile, a hint of smugness, crossing her innocent face. Back in Melvor Mountain, she’d begged Tiffany to take her to Lovell City, but Tiffany had refused, and Zoe had scolded her. Now, she'd come to Lovell City on her own and been scouted by an entertainment company for her looks. The company's scion pursued her relentlessly, willing to spend a fortune to make her famous.

The tables had turned. Once she was at the top, Tiffany wouldn't be able to look down on her. “Just you wait,” Grelle thought as the taxi drove away.

At the barbecue kiosk, Tiffany finished eating. Zoe eagerly asked, “How was it?”

“Not bad,” Tiffany replied.

“I knew you’d like it!” Zoe happily paid the bill. Tiffany let her; she usually paid for small amounts.

By the time they left, it was dark. Streetlights illuminated the neighborhood, bathed in neon signs. Tiffany saw a taxi and gently pushed Zoe. “You go first. Text me when you get home.”

“Sure!” Zoe waved and left.

Tiffany hailed another taxi. She was going shopping and told the driver not to wait. Her home was near her school; a taxi was convenient.

After getting in, she gave her destination and pulled out her book. When she looked up, however, the taxi was heading away from the city center, into a desolate area. It was going faster. Suspecting she was being kidnapped, she remained calm. “Did you take a wrong turn?” she asked nonchalantly.

“No,” the driver said confidently, turning to grin at her.

Suddenly, a water bottle smashed into his face.

Tiffany looked disgusted. “You’re ugly when you smile! What if you scared a kid like me?”

The bottle hit hard, causing a nosebleed. The taxi swerved.