Chapter 604
Three lives were lost: Jade, Ged, and Jansen. Jansen's death at the hands of Melody didn't stir much outrage, as he was known to be far from virtuous. However, the deaths of Jade and Ged, students at Lovell School, hit much closer to home. Their classmates had seen them just the day before, laughing, arguing, full of youthful energy. Then, they were gone.
The murderer was Melody, widely admired for her talent, kindness, and grace. She had been the personification of elegance and charm. The news left many at Lovell School, once close to Melody, in shock. A delayed sense of fear settled over them; more than a few patted their chests in relief, murmuring, "Thank goodness I'm still alive," or "Thank Melody for sparing my life." Others whispered, "She's a devil! I can't believe I was so close to her. Who could have imagined she would kill her deskmate, Jade?" And Ged? "Did she kill him to get back at Tiffany? Was it because he was friendly with her?" The shock and gossip among outsiders paled in comparison to the torment suffered by the victims' families.
They had thought the case closed, with the killer confessing and accepting punishment. The truth, however, reopened old wounds. Jade's parents, who had heard Melody's confession in the cemetery, were powerless then, lacking evidence to support their accusations. Jansen had shouldered the blame and ended his life, halting the investigation. Finally, long-overdue justice was revealed.
When news of Ged's death arrived, his parents seemed to age overnight. He was their only child, their pride and joy. That morning, he'd left for school, turning back to wave at them, promising to return for dinner. That night, Greg and Candice faced soul-crushing tragedy—a devastating blow, especially given their existing financial ruin. The Moody family never recovered. Worse was the lack of closure; the killer was unknown, leaving them no one to blame, no one to seek revenge against. Now, there was clarity.
Candice sobbed, "Justice… finally! My son was so innocent. His life had just begun. How cruel must someone be? Do you even have empathy?" Her cries echoed through the Moody family villa, a testament to their grief.
Outside, under the streetlights, Tiffany sat in her car, the heater's warmth failing to dispel the inner chill. Melody's real target had been Tiffany; unable to find a flaw to exploit, she'd turned her attention to Tiffany's friends instead. Tiffany believed Jade and Ged were dead because of her. She closed her eyes. Suddenly, warm hands covered hers. Richard's presence, both refreshing and commanding, enveloped her in a firm embrace as he opened the car door. His deep voice murmured, "Silly girl."
He didn't need to ask; her expression told him everything. This little fool was consumed by guilt. But Melody was responsible. A person with such malicious intent would always find ways to harm others. The guilt and burden of atonement belonged to the murderer.
Tiffany's voice was steady. "Before our wedding, I want to see Melody sentenced and executed with my own eyes." It wasn't a wish; it was a declaration. She knew the legal process could be lengthy, and unforeseen complications could arise.
Richard raised an eyebrow, then kissed her forehead. "No rush. Leave everything to me."
"Alright," Tiffany nodded. With Richard's influence and resources, she had no reason to worry. But something else was pressing.
Tiffany stepped from the car, clutching the Treasure Box. She glanced at the Moody family villa and approached it. "Mr. Moody, Mrs. Moody," she greeted.
The couple, startled, hastily wiped their tears and forced smiles. Candice said, "Tiffany, what brings you here? You didn't even let us know. The staff are on leave, so there's nothing to offer you."
Candice moved toward the kitchen to make coffee, but Tiffany stopped her. "Mrs. Moody, there's no need. I'm here to show you something."
"What is it?" They exchanged puzzled glances. Since their son's death, they'd been steeped in grief, even contemplating suicide. Tiffany often visited, bringing gifts, but pulling someone from despair was easier said than done.
Seeing the Treasure Box, they noted its intricate design, guessing it might be a film projector. Greg, his voice trembling, said, "Tiffany, we appreciate your kindness, but we're too heartbroken to enjoy anything."
Tiffany acted as if she hadn't heard. She opened the box and whispered, "Is everything I asked for ready?"
A voice from within replied, "Yes. Everything is prepared. You may enter the desired timeline whenever you wish."
Tiffany had previously asked the box to defy death and undo the irreversible. The box was powerful but not omnipotent. It couldn't revive the dead, but it could use a parallel timeline as a new beginning.
Tiffany nodded. "Then let's begin."
The Treasure Box emitted an intense blue glow. The Moody couple stared in astonishment as the unimaginable unfolded.
(The final sections "曲," "SEND GIFT," "0," and the percentages seem unrelated to the text and have been omitted.)