Chapter 567

A sharp cry echoed through the chamber, instantly blowing away half the walls. Richard emerged from the shadows, tall and imposing. His face was flawlessly elegant, but his eyes burned with hostility. A palpable killing intent radiated from him; his aura carried such overwhelming destruction that it felt as though it could make hearts quiver and courage fail.

Tiffany froze, her attack faltering. The masked man before her showed no hesitation; his short knife lunged toward her. Her lips trembled as she murmured, “James… Is it you?”

The masked man hesitated—imperceptibly. But the blade surged forward again. A sudden gust of wind erupted, an invisible force stopping the blade just short of its mark.

Richard strode forward, his gaze falling on Tiffany’s wrist wound. A fresh wave of hostility surged through him. With a commanding sweep of his hand, he sent the masked man hurtling into the wall. The man crashed with a thunderous impact, spitting out blood. He struggled to retreat, paralyzed by Richard’s oppressive aura.

Tiffany stepped closer, crouching slightly. With trembling hands, she removed the man’s mask, revealing James’s face.

It was him. The last glimmer of hope shattered. Her face turned ashen; she let out a string of bitter, broken laughs. “James… Why? Why is it you? Why?”

This was the person she had trusted most, the one closest to her. Yet, he had driven the knife deepest into her heart.

“Tiffany…” James groaned, struggling to rise, his injuries pinning him to the ground. He extended a trembling hand, trying to wipe away her tears.

Richard’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his murderous intent rising. But before he could strike, Tiffany stepped back. Her voice was cold and steady. “Don’t call me that. It’s revolting.”

Years of trust unraveled in an instant. The weight of her dependence, the guilt she’d carried for defying him—it all crumbled. Everything was fake. How laughable, she thought.

Chapter 367

Tiffany straightened, turning her back. Only then did her tears fall, unchecked and silent. She remembered meeting James when she was five. He had smiled, saying, “Call me James, and I’ll protect you for life.” She’d been deeply touched.

But he had known her identity, life, and origins all along. He had merely waited for the right opportunity—for the path of sacrifice to fully take shape.

Tiffany laughed bitterly. “James, you’ve truly outdone yourself, spinning this honeyed web for over ten years.”

James froze, his expression faltering.

Tiffany sighed. “I thought you did everything for me, for my protection. But now I see it clearly. You feared for my safety not out of concern, but because my death would jeopardize your plans. No wonder you wandered aimlessly for so many years; I thought you were seeking answers.”

She gave a hollow laugh. “I didn’t know you were paving the way for my death. You must be very tired.”

She closed her eyes briefly. She understood the strange pull she’d felt in this forbidden land—a summoning she couldn’t explain. James had subtly suppressed her talents over the years, ensuring her powerlessness.

The shadowy figure, the haunting voice she’d mistaken for her mother’s—all part of his meticulous plan to manipulate her emotions. He had woven a trap, layer by layer, and she’d walked into it willingly. In the end, she thought bitterly, I was helping him profit from my own downfall.

Her voice trembled with fury. “James, how could you be so cruel? It’s one thing to attack me, but why June? She stayed by your side, and you betrayed her heartlessly. Do you even have a heart anymore?”

“A heart?” James laughed, his voice sharp and bitter. “Your mother asked me the same thing. My answer was simple: my heart was already given to her. So tell me—where else could I get one now?”

He’d claimed his love was as deep as the sea. But in the end, all he got were her last words: “Let go. I will never love you.”

How ironic. How utterly pathetic, he thought.

Tiffany turned, her anger blazing. “You think this is love? That you’re a tragic hero? Do you really believe your actions are justified because of your feelings?”

She stepped closer, her voice trembling with rage. “Have you ever considered how she would feel if she knew what you’ve done? If she learned her life came at the cost of her daughter’s, would she be touched? Let’s say you succeed, she returns. When she finds out what you’ve sacrificed—who you’ve sacrificed—do you think she’ll look at you with love? Or with the disgust and horror you deserve?”

Chapter 567 (continued)

Doing cruel things in the name of deep love was a joke! In the end, it was a flimsy excuse for his selfishness.

James looked up, his eyes slightly red. “The Treasure Box can do it. It can do anything! I can bring Faith back to life. When she wakes up, she won’t know any of this. She’ll be with me…”

“With you, she’ll prefer to die,” Tiffany interrupted, her lips curling. “Still clinging to your delusions? She doesn’t love you.”

James froze, shock crossing his face. “How? How can that be?” His laugh was hollow, his tears flowing freely. He teetered on the edge of madness.

Tiffany turned away. The scariest and saddest thing was obsession.

Richard stepped forward, gently brushing away a tear from Tiffany’s cheek. His touch was gentle, but when he faced James, the tenderness vanished. His being radiated a cold, murderous intent. His hand rose, poised to strike.

Before he could act, June stumbled up and knelt before him. “Mr. Hampton, please spare him.”

Richard’s face remained cold.

“Miss Kelley! Please let him go!” June begged Tiffany, but Tiffany helped her up.

“June, what are you doing? Get up.” Tiffany’s voice was firm yet calm. She hadn’t intended to kill James. After everything—years of deception—taking his life was too much.

“June, get up. I won’t harm James…”

Calling him by his name signaled her resolve. June’s eyes were filled with gratitude. Clutching her wounded side, she staggered to her feet and approached James, without hesitation or fear. Her trust remained unwavering, even as blood seeped from her chest wound.

“Mr. Quinn, I’ll take you away,” June said softly, forcing a smile. Though barely standing, she braced herself to support him, step by agonizing step, out of the room.

The revised text corrects grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure for improved clarity and flow. It also removes inconsistencies and unnecessary repetition. The time stamp at the end was removed as it's not part of the narrative.