Chapter 162

Before Abby could speak, a loud slap landed on her face. Stunned, she covered her face, disoriented. Quickly realizing what happened, she exclaimed, "Cynthia, how dare you hit me?"

Cynthia's gaze was icy. "Why? Should I check my schedule first?" She turned and walked back into the tent.

Abby rushed after her, swinging wildly at Cynthia. But Cynthia, as if with eyes in the back of her head, swiftly pivoted, catching Abby's raised arm mid-air. With a sharp twist, she delivered another slap, her smirk cold and mocking. "All even now. Satisfied?"

The slap echoed, leaving bright red marks on Abby's cheeks. Fear flickered in Abby's eyes as she realized Cynthia's strength and speed. "What gives you the right to hit me, Cynthia?"

Just then, Nina hurried in, witnessing the end of the altercation. Having been saved by Abby earlier, she tried to intervene. "Cynthia, hitting isn't the answer."

Seeing Nina defend her, Abby clutched her face and cried. "Cynthia, are you holding a grudge because I took Nina out and not you? But Nina was closer, so I only pulled her out. Was that wrong?" Her voice wavered dramatically as she continued, hoping to enlist Nina's support. "What was I supposed to do? Risk my life to protect you from that snake? Your life is important, but so is mine!"

Nina blushed, shame washing over her. They had abandoned Cynthia in the tent; they should have faced the danger together. Though Abby had pulled her along, Nina felt like a coward. Stepping forward, she looked at Cynthia with regret. "I'm sorry, Cynthia. You have every right to be angry. We shouldn't have run like that."

If they'd stayed together, Cynthia wouldn't have faced the snake alone. Three people are better than one.

Cynthia sighed, looking at Nina's earnest face. "Nina, this isn't about you. I didn't slap her because you left. In that situation, getting to safety was the right choice. Remember, your own life is always the most important. No one should guilt you into staying in harm's way."

Nina's eyes reddened as she nodded, murmuring, "But, Cynthia"

Abby bristled at Cynthia's response. "So, Cynthia, this is all aimed at me, isn't it? I thought you were this virtuous, above-it-all type, unafraid of power, too proud to flatter anyone. Turns out you're just like the rest of us, maybe worse! So why act so noble around others like you don't care about anything? But with me and Nina, it's a whole different story. You're so fake, it's pathetic!"

Nina glanced between them, lost in the tangled accusations.

Cynthia sneered. "Abby, I didn't slap you for being two-faced or playing games—I can overlook that. I slapped you because you're malicious, scheming enough to want me dead."

Chapter 162 (Continued)

Cynthia's words stunned both Nina and Abby. A flicker of guilt crossed Abby's eyes, but she feigned calmness. "Cynthia, I don't know what you're talking about."

Cynthia didn't waste words. She went to her air mattress, flipped it up, and pulled out something wrapped in banana leaves. Holding it up, she asked, "Then what's this?"

Abby's calm shattered; her face paled. "I how would I know?"

Nina cautiously unwrapped the leaves. Her eyes widened at the intact snake egg inside—the same egg Abby had brought back that day. She remembered Yao bringing back several eggs; most had broken, and no one else had touched the survivors. This egg under Cynthia's bed could only mean one thing: Abby had put it there.

Nina looked at Abby, her face full of shock and disbelief. "Abby, how could you?"

Abby's attempt to harm Cynthia was almost unimaginable. They'd only known each other a few days. Nina couldn't believe such intense hatred.

Abby tried to wriggle out, her voice rising. "I don't know how that ended up there. You can't just accuse me of that without proof!"

Cynthia laughed coldly. Abby's shamelessness was on par with Lilian's. She slapped Abby repeatedly.

"Cynthia, you you're insane!" Abby's eyes flashed with fear as she realized Cynthia wasn't holding back.

Even Nina stepped back, startled.

Cynthia cracked her knuckles, smiling coldly at Abby. "It's been a while since I've stretched my muscles, Abby. Congratulations—you've managed to awaken my fighting spirit."

She turned to Nina with a calmer smile. "Nina, what's about to happen isn't for young eyes. Maybe step outside for a bit."

Nina pressed her lips together. Though opposed to violence, Abby was truly awful. "Alright, but take it easy, Cynthia. Don't hurt your hand." Holding the snake egg, she left the tent.

Soon, Abby's desperate pleas and cries for mercy filled the tent.

Outside, Nina noticed Jonathan tending a fire, clearly having overheard parts of the confrontation.