Chapter 582

Tiffany regarded Grelle with a mixture of disappointment and pity. Grelle exploded. "Don't look at me with pity!" she shouted, stamping her foot. "I don't need your fake pity! Do you think I'll be grateful for your help to our village? Dream on!"

Tiffany retorted, "Do you think I did it for your gratitude?" She hadn't minded investing heavily in Melver Mountain, even anticipating Grelle's ingratitude. However, the Sandy couple and the other villagers were grateful, using the help she and Richard provided to improve their lives. Grelle, however, fueled by amplified desires and selfishness, repeatedly schemed and acted underhandedly.

Tiffany wondered if she'd somehow provoked Grelle, or if some hearts simply couldn't withstand testing.

Grelle was speechless. Tiffany was immensely wealthy, yet she never used her wealth for self-promotion. This disparity, Grelle felt, was deeply unfair. "We're both human," Grelle yelled. "Why do you have a better life? Why are you so luxurious? Why do you get any man you want? Why do I have to live in your nightmare?"

Her bright, beautiful smile was gone, replaced by gloom. It seemed some hearts, once changed, were difficult to reclaim.

Tiffany smiled, her eyes mocking. "Should everyone who feels unfairly treated harm others? Destroy themselves? You're being selfish. Even if you feel your life is unfair, aren't you lucky? Compared to those living in the abyss, your parents provide warmth and love, even if they aren't rich. Isn't it ridiculous to focus only on what you lack instead of what you have?"

She spoke clearly. Grelle trembled, feeling exposed and enraged. "Shut up!" she screamed.

Tiffany spread her hands, remaining silent. But Grelle, enraged, produced a lighter and advanced on Tiffany. "Everything will be fine if you disappear," she howled. "I'll be happy, and Mr. Hampton might finally notice me. I'll treat him better than you. Die!"

The iron cage was oiled, and would burn quickly.

Grelle had prepared everything, determined to kill Tiffany.

Tiffany sighed, looking at Grelle with disappointment. "I wanted to let you go," she said, explaining her repeated attempts at leniency.

"Cut the crap! You die today!" Grelle sneered. "I've locked you in a cage. Do you think you can escape?"

She threw the lighter. The cage instantly ignited, engulfed in flames hot enough to burn a person alive.

Grelle coughed from the smoke, stepping back. Wiping her eyes, she watched, overjoyed at the sight of Tiffany engulfed in flames. Burn to death! The hotter, the better! she thought, hatred and joy overflowing.

But something felt wrong. Tiffany wasn't screaming. Surprised, Grelle started toward the flames to check, but a lazy voice stopped her.

"Looking for me?"

Grelle stiffened. Turning, she saw Tiffany, smiling faintly, her clothes and hair untouched by fire.

"One cage and you think you've won?" Tiffany asked nonchalantly. She could have used her switchblade, forced the lock, or even killed Grelle first and had John unlock the cage. Such a simple plan? She's dreaming.

"Tell me where Zoe is," Tiffany demanded.

"If you're so capable, find her yourself," Grelle sneered.

Instantly, Grelle felt dizzy, collapsing to the ground, her body racked with pain. Tiffany retracted her leg, her expression hardening. "Do you think I have endless patience? Do you think I won't act?"

How dare she act so superior?

Grelle struggled to rise, feeling utterly powerless. Her foolproof plan—the unbreakable cage—had failed. The disparity in their strength was immense.

Tiffany repeated her question, "Where is Zoe?"

Grelle finally confessed, "She's in a hotel in a small town, about ten miles away."

Wiping blood from her mouth, she lay defeated. The fire subsided. Sirens wailed, breaking the silence. Grelle was arrested for attempted murder.

The Sandys, arriving after hearing the news, watched their daughter taken away, tears welling. "We'll wait for you to come out," they said.

Cynthia wept. Facing a fifteen-year sentence, she didn't know if her parents would still be alive upon her release. She'd failed them, caused them only worry. Regret consumed her—for her impulsiveness, jealousy, and abandonment of morals.

If she could start again but she couldn't. She received a fifteen-year sentence.

Tiffany sighed, lowering her eyes in helpless resignation.