As Tiffany stepped into her home, her mind was still buzzing from Richard’s piercing gaze earlier. ‘Did my lingering glances at Sidney stir something in Richard?”
Everyone in Lovell Gity knew that Richard and Sidney were practically inseparable, their bond something more than friendship. There were even whispers that Richard had no interest in women at all.
‘Could it be… that those two were actually a couple? Tiffany wondered.
The more Tiffany considered this, the more plausible it sounded. If that were the case, could work to her advantage. To secure Richard’s support, she could try to appeal to his preferences.
With this revelation lifting her spirits, Tiffany entered her family mansion in high spirits.
However, as soon as she crossed the threshold, she overheard Selena’s insidious attempts to manipulate her brother.
“Eric, sweetie, you’re your father’s only son. This massive family business-who else would inherit it but you? Your sister wouldn’t survive a day running the company. You need to be careful, or she might try to claim the entire fortune for herself!”
Eric was sprawled on the couch after school, fiddling with a Rubik’s cube, while Selena. droned on beside him.
“Sweetheart, I’m saying all this for your own good. You don’t understand it now because you’re young, but when you grow up, you’ll see how much I care!”
Tiffany leaned against the doorframe, a cold smirk forming on her lips.
‘What a twisted idea of “caring” for someone, she thought.
Every word was designed to create a rift between her and her brother. The irony was that Selena had a completely different story when talking to Tiffany.
Tiffany remembered how she had previously fallen for Selena’s manipulations. She had been convinced that the family business would go to her brother, and after marrying Kenneth, she thought she would be left with nothing as the Harper family’s embarrassing disappointment.
How naive she had been to believe Selena’s lies.
For a long time, she had distanced herself from her brother out of resentment.
The way Selena twisted her words had corroded their close bond done?
Just as Tiffany was about to speak, Eric suddenly looked up from the couch. “Are you Now it’s my turn to talk. First, I have no problem with my sister inheriting everything. Second, my sister is awesome, and you have no right to insult her.”
With that, he turned and walked away.
Those words were surprisingly mature for an eight-year-old. But Selena wasn’t ready to back down. She tried to stir up more trouble.
Eric quickly turned back, a mischievous grin on his face that mirrored his sister’s striking features. “I recorded everything you just said. I’ll let my dad listen to it later.”
The threat hung heavy in the air.
Selena was flustered, as she hadn’t expected the tables to be turned on her by a child.
Such talk might be fine in private, but if Charlie heard it, with his protective nature, he’d definitely give her an earful!
“Eric, honey,” she stammered, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “I was just teasing. Why so serious?”
Selena laughed nervously, glancing at Tiffany as she walked in. Selena immediately fell silent,
Seeing his sister, Eric’s face lit up with excitement. “Sis, come on! I want to show you something cool!” he said, tugging her toward the stairs.
“Sure!” Tiffany replied with a smile.
Ignoring Selena completely, the siblings headed upstairs.
When they reached Eric’s room, Tiffany crouched down to his level, a playful glint in her eyes. “So, did you really record her?”
Eric shook his head earnestly. “Nope, just wanted to scare her!”
He thought for a moment and added, “Even if I did record her, it wouldn’t get her kicked out. Dad’s not that strict. They’re so annoying, always talking bad about you, sis…”
Tiffany sighed, her expression softening. “Don’t worry about it, kiddo. I’ve got it covered. Just trust me, okay?”
Her calm tone had a reassuring effect on Eric. He nodded eagerly, his confidence visibly renewed. He could sense that his sister was different now-more grounded and less easily swayed by superficial gestures.
After they spent some time playing video games, Tiffany eventually got up to return to her room. As she approached the door, she noticed it was slightly ajar.
Her frown deepened; it was clear that someone had been inside.
Everyone in the family knew how much she disliked people entering her room or touching her belongings. The maids wouldn’t dare, so it had to be someone else with the audacity to do so.
Pushing the door open, Tiffany, found Sandra sitting at her vanity, fiddling with the diamond bracelet she had carefully stored away.
The bracelet had been a gift from Mrs. Harper after her engagement to Kenneth. It was a family heirloom, passed down only to the daughters-in-law of the Harper family.
Tiffany had been thrilled to receive it but had kept it hidden, afraid of damaging such a precious treasure.
Her eyes widened in shock when she saw Sandra, proudly flaunting the diamond bracelet. Tiffany threw open the door, her voice cold and commanding. “Get out.”
Sandra, unfazed, admired the bracelet on her wrist with a smug grin. “Why the fuss, sis? I’m just admiring your beautiful bracelet.”
She chuckled. “I bet you’re really furious right now. Probably thinking of hitting me?”
“You think I wouldn’t?”
“Oh, I’m sure you would,” Sandra retorted, her tone dripping with disdain. “But if you do, what if something happens to this precious bracelet?”
Sandra’s envy was palpable. She was burning with jealousy. Tiffany had used her privileged status to become Kenneth’s fiancée.
And just as Sandra had managed to make Kenneth despise Tiffany, Tiffany-had already moved on to Richard.
Sandra was seething.
Though Sandra knew she should remain calm, she couldn’t resist provoking Tiffany after being disrespected earlier. She thought toying with the bracelet would be the perfect way to get under Tiffany’s skin.
But Sandra had underestimated Tiffany’s resolve
Tiffany marched up to her and delivered two sharp slaps to Sandra’s face.
The slaps came so fast that Sandra was still basking in her smugness, not fully registering what had happened until she felt the stinging heat on her checks.
“You… you actually hit me!” Sandra gasped in disbelief.
Tiffany’s lips curled into a cold smirk. Without hesitation, she swung her hand back and delivered two more slaps across Sandra’s face.
“Sandra, you’ve got some nerve! Sneaking into my room, messing with my stuff, and then having the gall to gloat about it? Who do you think you are?”
Tiffany wasn’t about to show any mercy to someone who had practically begged for a beating by barging into her personal space.