Chapter 607
Melody's forged handwriting couldn't mask her undeniable presence in the surveillance footage. Despite her arguments, the confession and video evidence irrefutably implicated her.
Two days later, the court handed down its final judgment: Melody was sentenced to death for intentional murder, kidnapping, and extortion, the sentences to run consecutively. Execution was scheduled for three days hence.
Jade's parents, present in the courtroom, wept with relief as the verdict was announced, their tension finally released. The death sentence, they felt, was justly deserved.
Melody, however, refused to accept the verdict. She filed multiple appeals, protesting her innocence, but all were dismissed. After a fruitless day of struggle, she resigned herself to her fate. There was no Jansen this time to take the fall. Tiffany had sealed all escape routes.
In her dimly lit prison cell, Melody's hatred simmered. Refusing to surrender, she sought a way to alleviate her guilt. Her gaze fell on a barely visible camera. An idea sparked, and she shouted, "I want to see Tiffany! I want to see her!"
Her plan was simple: if she could trick Tiffany into admitting that Wilma, not Melody, had confessed, the charges would be dropped. The camera would record everything. This was her last chance. She repeated, "I want to see Tiffany! I want to see Tiffany!"
Tiffany received the prison's call at 11 pm. While visitation was typically not permitted at that hour, Melody's impending execution warranted an exception. The warden, after considering the situation, informed Tiffany of Melody's insistence on a meeting. Tiffany agreed to go.
June, however, protested. "Miss Kelley, don't go," she urged, worried about Melody's possible schemes.
"It's fine," Tiffany replied calmly.
"But what if she tries to trick you?" June pressed.
(Time Stamp: 08:15 Mon)
June's worry persisted as she watched Tiffany leave. Under the chandelier's light, Tiffany's beauty was striking, but her eyes held an unwavering sharpness.
"I want her to try her best," Tiffany said. "That way, she'll be even more disappointed." She intended to ensure Melody's complete downfall.
In the prison, Tiffany, escorted by a guard, entered Melody's dimly lit cell. As a death row inmate, Melody was alone, her cell sparsely furnished with a bed, basin, toothbrush, towel, and toilet.
June brought in a chair. After Tiffany sat, she thanked the guard and requested privacy. The guard and then June left, leaving Tiffany and Melody alone.
Melody, shackled to the bed, was a far cry from her former public image. Her hair was disheveled, her appearance pathetic.
Meeting Tiffany's gaze, Melody sneered, "Tiffany, are you happy now?"
"It's alright," Tiffany responded bluntly.
Melody's frustration was evident. The handcuffs clinked against the bed. Though not usually necessary in such a small cell, the shackles were a precaution for Tiffany's safety.
Melody's mockery intensified. "You're worshipped. I'm about to be executed."
Tiffany nodded, her smile almost too kind. "Actually, you should have been shot long ago."
Had Jansen not taken the blame, Melody would have been apprehended much earlier. Tiffany had planned to kill Melody on the day of Ged's burial, but decided against it to ensure a proper conviction, leaving no room for pity from the public.
Now, that justice was finally served.
Tiffany's calm demeanor only agitated Melody further. Melody, despite her restraints, lunged forward, shouting, "Isn't this your fault?"
Her eyes darted to the blinking surveillance camera. She needed to manipulate Tiffany into admitting the truth about the confession.
"You knew it wasn't me," Melody accused. "You let it happen. Do you dare admit this was your plan? Do you dare admit you let Wilma control my body? Do you dare?"
The tension was palpable. Melody feared Tiffany's silence or denial.
Surprisingly, Tiffany smiled, nodded, and conceded, "Yeah. I did push things along. I admit it."
Joy surged through Melody as she froze, her pupils widening.