Sandra flailed, struggling desperately against Tiffany's astonishing strength. No matter how hard she fought, it was futile.

Nearby servants watched in horror, their hearts pounding. "Is Ms. Kelley losing her mind?" they thought. "If she doesn't let go, Ms. Olson may be killed!"

Tiffany wasn't losing her mind. She was consumed by a vicious hatred for Sandra, a hatred stemming from a past life where Sandra had ordered her bones to be crushed one by one and thrown into a swamp. The vivid memory of that pain fueled her rage. She wanted to inflict the same suffering, but decided against ruining her life for such a wretched woman. There were other ways to destroy Sandra.

Just as Sandra began to lose consciousness from lack of oxygen, Tiffany released her grip. Instead of threats, she gently helped Sandra up, frowning with concern. "Oh no, Sandra, are you alright? How did you manage to fall while just standing?"

Sandra was stunned. Is she crazy? she thought. One second she's trying to kill me, and the next she's fussing over me? A bad feeling washed over her.

Sure enough, Charlie and Thalia appeared, having arrived unnoticed. Tiffany, looking guilty, said, "It's all my fault. Sandra's almost recovered from her injuries, and I tried to help her, but I foolishly tripped her."

Sandra gasped. When has Tiffany ever tried to help me? she thought. She just tried to strangle me! Pointing to the red marks on her neck, she exclaimed, "Talk is cheap; show them the evidence! And you actually want to"

"What? Want to bully you? Or kill you?" Tiffany interrupted, her voice filled with grievance, throwing Sandra's own words back at her, leaving her speechless. "I know you don't like me, but you don't have to take advantage of my good nature to pick on me."

Who's really bullying whom here? Sandra thought. Her eyes blazed with rage. She'd barely entered the room and had already been slapped, nearly strangled, and now Tiffany was playing the victim.

Charlie intervened, saying, "Sandra, I've been neglecting Tiffany since your injury. Cut her some slack, will you?"

Sandra felt utterly helpless and desperate. Tears streamed down her face, a genuine outburst of anger.

Tiffany let out a soft laugh, lowering her voice. "Doesn't this feel familiar? This is your usual trick, isn't it? Playing the victim, the delicate act, always crying like you're enduring some great injustice. You're certainly good at eliciting sympathy from men."

But Sandra had forgotten one thing: Tiffany wasn't incapable of acting; she just never stooped to it. Now, however, she effortlessly outshone Sandra's performance.

"Don't look at me like that," Tiffany whispered, her eyes sparkling. "Are you mad? I'm just acting, but I still look better doing it."

Tiffany's beauty was flawless, and her smug comment came across as charming rather than arrogant.

But Sandra couldn't stand it. Seeing Tiffany's captivating face, she lunged, snarling, "I'll tear that face of yours apart!"

Thalia intervened, pulling Tiffany away and slapping Sandra. How dare she threaten my daughter! Thalia thought, furious. "Sandra! I thought you were sensible. How could you be so vile? You tried to ruin my daughter's face right in front of me?"

Charlie, shocked by Sandra's viciousness, was equally appalled. He had always seen her as gentle and sweet.

The slap brought Sandra to her senses. She tried to explain, "Uncle, Aunt, I didn't mean it. I just lost my mind for a moment. I wasn't trying to hurt Tiffany!"

Under normal circumstances, they might have believed her, but they had witnessed the scene.

Thalia sneered, "You're jealous because my daughter is prettier than you."

"It's not like that, Aunt Thalia," Sandra pleaded.

Thalia stood protectively before Tiffany, her usual gentleness replaced with fierce maternal protectiveness. Charlie declared, "Enough. I don't want to see you around for a while. I'll arrange for you to stay at school until the break."

Tiffany wasn't fully satisfied, but seeing Sandra's enraged face was enough. There was nothing more satisfying than putting someone in their place.

That afternoon, Sandra was sent to school. With her gone, Tiffany's appetite improved. However, Eric remained silent since his return.

Tiffany tried to coax him. "It was my fault for not being there for your game yesterday. How about I make it up to you with an ice cream cake and some chocolate pies?"

"Hmph," Eric grunted.

"Plus cheese puffs?" Tiffany asked.

"And strawberry cheesecake!" Eric countered.

"Deal!" Tiffany agreed.

Eric had covered for Tiffany the previous night, so their parents hadn't questioned things too much. Today, Charlie's near-miss prompted Thalia to take the siblings to Sanctuary Mountain to pray. The mountain, famous in Lovell City, was shrouded in mist, creating a magical atmosphere. Thalia brought them there for the mountain's natural spring, said to wash away bad luck and bring good fortune. Tiffany wasn't interested in the legend; she was simply enjoying the flowers.

Thalia warned them not to wander too far before continuing up the mountain with Eric. Alone, Tiffany wandered until she found herself beneath a massive tree. Happy and relaxed, she took out her phone to take pictures. As she did, she felt something cold around her ankle. Thinking it was a snake, she tried to shake it off, but saw a pale, slender hand.

The repeated appearance of the "Search the FindNovel.ηet website" prompt has been removed as it is irrelevant to the narrative and appears to be spam.