Chapter 533

"Crap," Tiffany thought. If this continued, she would die. Gritting her teeth, she was about to shout for help when a more violent wave of quicksand engulfed her, nearly burying her completely. Just then, a pair of hands grabbed her.

The person pulled her free, causing a tearing pain, and she found herself standing on solid sand. She was saved.

Looking up, she saw Richard, his face partially obscured by shadow.

"Is everything all right?" he asked anxiously, rushing to her side. He examined her carefully, sighing in relief.

Tiffany shook her head. "I'm fine. Where were you?"

"I went out for a while and didn't have time to tell you," Richard replied, rubbing her head helplessly. He sighed. "You ran off! What if something happened?"

"I wanted to find you," Tiffany mumbled, lowering her head.

Seeing her distress, Richard pulled her into his arms. "It's all my fault. It's not safe here. Let's go."

"Yeah," Tiffany nodded, walking toward the camp with Richard's hand in hers.

Darkness surrounded them. The small beam of light in her hand offered limited visibility. Butthis isn't the way to camp. Andthis hand feels different, she thought, her heart skipping a beat. This isn't Richard!

A chill ran down her spine. She shook off the man's hand, stepped back, and shone her light on his face. His eyes were striking, his lips thin; devilishly handsome, yet his pitch-black pupils held a demonic glint. Her suspicions were confirmed. She drew her switchblade.

"You dare show your face?" she demanded.

She lunged forward, aiming to rip off his mask. However, the imposter feigned confusion. "Honey, what's wrong? Why don't you recognize me?"

The pet name made Tiffany nauseous. She attacked without hesitation.

"Go to hell!"

The imposter froze, staring at her with utter disappointment. He'd copied Richard well—some of his charm was convincingly similar—but he lacked Richard's aura and sharp gaze. He'd been overconfident.

Tiffany sneered, showing no mercy. The man moved. Just as her switchblade threatened his face, he flashed behind her. It was terrifyingly agile. Tiffany spun and stabbed again, but he dodged repeatedly.

After dozens of exchanges, Tiffany, drenched in sweat, stood still. A mocking smile touched her lips. "You're getting worse. Have you finally found your conscience? Are you afraid to show your true face? Felix, aren't you disgusting?!"

The last words hung in the air, causing the figure, who had been enjoying himself, to freeze. He stopped before her. Removing his disguise, Felix's feminine, handsome face was revealed. He grabbed her chin. "Disgusting? You think I'm disgusting?"

"That's right," Tiffany replied, a lazy smile playing on her lips. "You're an ungrateful liar who twists right and wrong. Should I praise you?"

While distantly related—Felix was her uncle's unrecognized illegitimate son—Tiffany had saved him from death and arranged for his mother's burial during her five years of lost memories. And the person I saved is an ingrate? she thought.

Felix was enraged. His usually handsome face twisted with hostility. "Take it back! Take it back!"

Tiffany sneered. "Take it back? Should I repeat it? You despicable, shameless, sinister, cunning little"

Her lips were silenced. A wave of nausea washed over her. She struggled, her switchblade plunging into Felix's heart.

"I misjudged you. You're not only treacherous and cunning, but a shameless beast!"

My cousinand he tried to take advantage of me, she thought, her anger escalating. Her attacks intensified, mercilessly. He saved Sandra, then let her attack me. He kidnapped my family, hypnotized me, and almost killed Richard with my own hands. It's time to settle this score.

Her eyes were bloodshot. Yet, Felix remained motionless, without a single wound or drop of blood.

Tiffany recoiled in shock. Is he even human?

Felix's gaze was inscrutable, hiding countless emotions. Wind and sand whipped across the dark land. No stars shone above them; only loneliness. Felix stood, his back a silhouette of solitude.

After a long silence, his faint voice carried on the wind. "You really hate me" It was a soft sigh, a whisper to himself.

Tiffany frowned. Why does it sound like my fault? Shouldn't I hate him? But I don't hate him, she thought. Her mouth twitched. "You're overthinking. I don't hate you. I despise and dislike you. That's all." If we're talking about hateI might make him give up, she added mentally.

Chapter 534