Chapter 581

Cynthia mused, "How convenient if that were the case! It would save time and effort, and I wouldn't have to worry about being charged with murder."

After Zoe finished her drink, she felt dizzy and lost consciousness. Cynthia quickly caught her, smiling and saying, "Just one glass of wine, and you're already down? You're so weak, Zoe."

As she spoke, she struggled to carry Zoe to the small-town hotel. A passing man saw this and offered, "Can I help you?"

"I'd appreciate that," Cynthia readily agreed.

The man quickly hoisted Zoe onto his back. Fortunately, the hotel was only about a thousand feet away. After settling the unconscious Zoe, Cynthia thanked the man. He lingered, leaving only after obtaining her number.

Immediately after he left, she closed the door, her smile vanishing. She rushed to Zoe's side, fumbling for her phone. Unlocking it with Zoe's finger, she found Tiffany's number at the top of the contact list.

Grelle muttered, "Since you're so close, let's see if Tiffany Kelley is willing to come and save you." She smiled coldly, then imitated Zoe's texting style, sending Tiffany this message: "[Tiffany, I'm in trouble. I've sent you my location. Please come and save me!]"

The location she sent was a dilapidated scenic spot over six miles from town—a long-abandoned, rarely visited place with a troubled past.

Having done this, she pocketed Zoe's phone and left the hotel. Once away from prying eyes, she got into a pre-arranged car and headed toward the abandoned scenic spot. She wasn't worried about Zoe waking up; the wine had a high alcohol content, and she'd added sleeping pills. This elaborate scheme was designed to create an alibi.

Tiffany, having just woken from an afternoon nap and washed up, received the message. Just as she was leaving her apartment, her phone vibrated. However, the message's tone felt wrong. It seemed impossible. She thought, "Zoe? Why is she in trouble? This doesn't sound like her."

(Time stamp: 07:54 Fri, Nov 29)

Chapter 581

Zoe had never before begged Tiffany for help. Tiffany frowned, put away her phone, and hurried to Zoe's classroom to confirm her safety.

Upon reaching the school grounds, she found a scattering of papers on the ground; the wind had blown some to her feet. Recognizing them as Zoe's charity fund account book, with detailed (but incomplete) annotations, Tiffany was disturbed. Zoe, from a poor family with vampire parents who exploited her, was extremely careful and meticulous with her work. She would never carelessly leave such an important document on the field.

Clutching the papers tightly, Tiffany went straight to the classroom. Class was about to begin, and most students were present, but Zoe's seat was empty.

"Has anyone seen Zoe?" she asked.

Some students shook their heads; others ignored her. The answer was clear.

As Tiffany was leaving, a girl friendly with Zoe said resentfully, "I ran into Zoe by the school gate after lunch. I tried to walk with her, but she ignored me and even pushed me!"

"Do you know where she went?" Tiffany asked.

"No," the girl replied, "I only heard her say she was going home."

Tiffany thought, Something's definitely wrong. She thanked the girl and left school. With June still hospitalized, Tiffany decided against calling her driver, opting instead to call John.

John arrived swiftly; within ten minutes, a luxurious sports car pulled up.

"Miss Kelley," John greeted, respectfully opening the car door. Since the incident where she'd stabbed Richard, and John—protective of his master—had been punished for his actions, he'd been wary of her, still harboring resentment. However, learning of her arduous journey to the Azure Sea Royal Family to obtain medicine while blind, his resentment had slowly faded. He'd begun to believe she'd had genuine difficulties that day.

She gave him the address. He drove quickly, suppressing his surprise and avoiding questions, toward the dilapidated scenic spot.

En route, Tiffany received another text: "[Tiffany, are you here? I really can't hold on anymore. These people are holding me here and won't let me go. Come and save me!]"

Tiffany thought, She can send a long text but not call? Terrible acting! She replied simply: "[Soon.]"

Half an hour later, the car stopped. John asked, "Miss Kelley, why did you bring me here? Should I come in with you?"

"No, wait outside," she said, stepping onto the path alone.

The abandoned scenic spot was weathered and dilapidated, desolate and old. She reached the end of the path and entered the overgrown area. She called Zoe's number; the ringing came from behind a large stone. She found only the phone, with no one in sight.

As she bent to pick it up, she heard a sound. Before she could rise, a large iron cage descended, trapping her.

A sharp voice called out, "I heard they used to keep gorillas here. While there aren't any abandoned gorillas, wouldn't it be more interesting to keep you here instead?"

Grelle emerged from the woods, smug. Tiffany had suspected Felix, James, and Melody, but never Grelle, who she'd met at Melvor Mountain – a bright, innocent, and guileless girl. The change was shocking. Tiffany shook her head in disbelief.