Chapter 517

As the night sky lit up with a magnificent meteor shower, all eyes were drawn upward, entranced by the celestial spectacle. No one noticed the drama unfolding by the poolside except for Alivia and Jaired.

Alivia’s expression was icy as she watched the scene with a chilling indifference. Poor Tessa couldn’t swim to save her life, and with Brielle’s reckless move, it was very likely that Tessa could drown in the deep end.

A smirk curled on Alivia’s lips as Jaired’s voice whispered in her ear. “Aren’t you going to save her?”

“No,” she replied coolly. “If Tessa has an accident because of Brielle, the Rowland family won’t let it slide. Neither will Andrew.”

“I thought Tessa was your friend?”

“Friends? Aren’t they just tools to be used?”

Her tone was flippant, and Jaired chuckled softly beside her. “Alivia, you haven’t changed a bit since the day I met you.”

In front of Jaired, Alivia never felt the need to hide who she was. He knew her true nature, and it seemed the more flawed she was, the more he was drawn to her. Only in his presence did she ever feel at ease.

Meanwhile, Brielle choked on a gulp of water in the pool as she tried to surface. But Tessa, in her panic, clung to her desperately as if determined to drag them both down to the murky depths.

Brielle was a strong swimmer, but Tessa’s flailing and kicking was weighing her down, and her breath was quickly knocked out of her. The water rushed in from all directions, and her chest tightened with discomfort.

Tessa kicked off Brielle, gasping for air as her head broke the surface. “Just die already. Brielle!”

Underfoot, Brielle struggled to see through the murky water. Tessa, wanting her dead more quickly, delivered a vicious kick.

Seeing no other choice, Brielle grabbed Tessa’s ankle and pulled her down. Tessȧ hadn’t expected Brielle to fight back. Her face went pale as she began to sink rapidly. Her swimming skills were mediocre, and Brielle’s interference left her unable to muster any strength.

Tessa’s lungs screamed for air, but she knew that if she gave in, she would truly die here. She clutched at Brielle’s arm, refusing to let her swim upwards.

If death were imminent, they would die together.

Human strength in moments of desperation could be terrifying. Brielle felt Tessa’s grip like a 15.02 dead weight. They plunged deeper, bubbles rushing upwards.

It was over. Brielle was going to die because of Tessa. She had imagined her death before, but never like this. Never so undignified.

Suffocating, darkness, pain.

The light from above grew distant as if countless hands were dragging her deeper. A cold sensation spread throughout her body as she closed her eyes.

“Splash!”

Someone had entered the water.

Brielle had struggled too long. Even a second more felt impossible. Tessa, frail and unskilled, sank even lower.

Brielle felt light–headed and in pain as something pierced her skin. Noise surrounded her. A warmth spread through her body, stinging her eyes.

Voices reached her ears.

“When is she going to wake up?”

“Max, be patient.”

“Did you check the surveillance? How did they end up in the water?”

“We checked. There’s no coverage of that area–it’s a pool, and the hotel is private. They can’t install cameras everywhere.”

Max’s face darkened as he saw Brielle’s pale form on the hospital bed, a flicker of rage passing in his eyes.

Jaired sat casually in a chair in the hospital room, toying with a cigarette he’d pulled from nowhere.

“Brielle’s fine now, isn’t she? She’s only sleeping because she was briefly deprived of oxygen. It’s Tessa we should worry about. She’s still in critical condition, and the Rowland family would tear Brielle apart if they could.”

If it weren’t for Max’s presence, Brielle would probably already be in pieces.

A smirk crossed Jaired’s face as he lounged in the chair, which seemed almost too small for his tall frame. His military posture was impeccable, his buzz cut sharp and imposing.

He glanced down, his lips curving into a smile. “Imagine if Tessa doesn’t make it. What then?” Max remained silent.