Chapter 565
Richard raised an eyebrow and followed Tiffany's gaze to Garry, who was choking and tearing up. With a flat tone, he said, "Let him learn his lesson."
Even knowing the button triggered a mechanism, Garry impulsively pressed it. Fortunately, only smoke emerged. Had it been a deadlier trap, his recklessness could have endangered everyone.
"Richard," Garry wheezed, his voice full of guilt. "I know I messed up." He had acted carelessly, relying on Richard to fix anything dangerous. He deeply regretted it and vowed not to repeat the mistake.
Richard shot him a cold glance but remained silent.
A sudden gust of wind swept through the room, clearing the smoke instantly. The air became breathable again, and the group relaxed, coughing and catching their breath.
Garry let out a relieved sigh. "That wind came just in time!" Then he froze, realizing something strange. 'We're indoors. There are no windows or openings. So where did the wind come from?' he thought.
He slowly turned to Richard, who remained calm and unmoved. Before Garry could question him, the floor began to shake. The vibrations intensified, and someone nervously asked, "Is it an earthquake?"
June, ever sharp, crouched to examine the ground. "No, this isn't an earthquake. It's a mechanism activating." As she spoke, the floor cracked open a few feet away, revealing a hidden doorway leading to a deep tunnel.
Garry's jaw dropped. "No wonder we couldn't find the entrance!" They had thoroughly searched the building earlier, finding no signs of the person Tiffany was supposed to meet or any hidden chambers. The underground entrance, activated by the building's shifting, had been impossible to detect.
Tiffany stared at the opening, her unease growing. Something beyond the doorway pulled at her, an invisible force stirring her emotions and heightening her anxiety. Without hesitation, she moved toward the tunnel. Richard, holding her hand, followed closely, his steady presence calming her.
The tunnel's steep staircase descended for what felt like forever, spiraling deep into the earth. The walls were narrow, the air heavy, and the only sounds were their footsteps and quiet breaths. Tiffany noticed the faint glow of fresh, barely burned candles along the walls. Someone had been here recently.
At the bottom of the stairs, the tunnel opened into a vast, empty chamber. Unlike the grandeur above, this space was stark and unadorned. Thick stone pillars lined the path to a single structure ahead. Beneath the pillars, the floor shimmered like polished glass, reflecting everything like a mirror.
Tiffany stepped onto the first pillar, releasing Richard's hand. She was about to move forward when he gently pulled her back.
"I'll go first," Richard said firmly. His usual relaxed demeanor gave way to a sharper, more serious tone.
Tiffany nodded. "Alright."
With Richard leading, the group followed cautiously, stepping from pillar to pillar. Despite their earlier worries, no traps or dangers appeared.
As they approached the structure, Tiffany began to relax, until a faint voice echoed in her mind: "There you are."
Tiffany froze. The voice was soft but unmistakable. June accidentally stepped on Tiffany's foot, leaving a small black scuff on her shoe.
Tiffany asked, "June, did you hear that?"
June shook her head. "Ms. Kelley, are you okay?" she asked, noticing Tiffany's pale expression.
Tiffany forced a small smile. "I'm fine. Probably just imagining things."
But as they continued, the voice returned, clearer and more distinct: "You're finally here." The words carried a strange weight, charged with deep emotion. Tiffany's panic flared.
"Who are you?" she whispered softly.
The response was immediate: "I'm your mother." Tiffany's heart skipped a beat.
The voice continued: "Go straight to the right. Come to me. Let me see you one last time. But come alone."
As the voice faded, Tiffany noticed two doors ahead, one on each side of the tunnel. Richard, unaware of her inner turmoil, gently tugged her hand. "This way," he said, heading toward the left door.
Tiffany flinched, which Richard noticed. He asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Tiffany moved to follow Richard, then hesitated, glancing back toward the right path. In the dim light, a shadow flitted by. Though brief, its silhouette resembled her own. 'Is that really my mother?' she thought.
As the group entered the left corridor, Tiffany took her chance. Slipping away silently, she ran toward the right corridor, hoping to catch the fleeting figure. But as she reached the end, sharp pain shot through her foot. Silver needles had sprung from the ground, piercing her acupoints. Before she could react, a hidden mechanism triggered, and the floor beneath her collapsed. Her vision went black.
Back at the left door, Richard pushed it open effortlessly. Turning back, he glanced over his shoulder to check on Tiffany, only to find the space behind him empty.