Ch. 201..210
Chapter 201 Chapter 201 There used to be a saying that the more a mother-in-law saw her son-in-law, the more she liked him. Thalia had encountered Richard several times before. At first, she assumed someone of his stature would be hard to get close to. After all, the rumors described Richard as having unpredictable moods and an intimidating, harsh presence.
But once she spent time with him, she realized that Richard had impeccable manners despite being only twenty-five and already at the pinnacle of wealth and success. Though he appeared distant and reserved on the outside, he was steady and composed and always treated her and her husband with kindness and respect.
Moreover, Thalia was quite confident. She wasn’t one to boast, but with Tiffany’s striking beauty and sharp, clever personality, it was hard to believe that the famously aloof Richard wasn’t interested in her. After all, he had handed it over to the Kelley family without any strict conditions or demands in the fiercely competitive Old Alley renovation project, treating it almost like a casual decision.
It included the humility he displayed by treating them as elders and showing the respect expected from someone younger. It wasn’t a case of instantly connecting by coincidence-it was clearly because of Tiffany. While Charlie might not have picked up on it, Thalia understood it perfectly.
Charlie paused momentarily, then said, “You’re overthinking it, honey. Mr. Hampton isn’t someone we can get close to like that. People must address him respectfully whether it’s Lovell City or elsewhere.” In comparison, the Kelley family was worlds apart from him, like heaven and earth. Charlie shook his head, not even daring to entertain the thought.
He immediately noticed Thalia’s expression turn cold and unsettling. “Are you saying our daughter isn’t good enough for him?” she asked.
“No, no, no. Our daughter is a stunning beauty; she would be more than a match for anyone!” Charlie replied.
“Well, then that settles it!” Thalia said.
“However…” Charlie wanted to say more, but seeing the look on her face, he feared he might end up in the guest room again that night. So he quickly changed his tune, saying, “Yes! Whatever you say, honey!” “That’s more like it,” Thalia said, finally showing a hint of happiness.
Just as Eric came downstairs, he looked utterly confused. He had splashed some oil on himself while eating and had run back to his room to wash up. Eric wondered what had happened in his absence. Seeing his parents being lovey-dovey on the sofa, he slapped his forehead and turned around to return upstairs.
He sighed inwardly, thinking, “The lingering taste of them lovey-dovey was unbearable.’ *****
At that moment, late at night, Tiffany sat on her bed, her gaze fixed on the nearby window. The window was unlocked, and the curtains were only half-drawn. A breeze drifted in, causing the delicate pink sheer curtains to flutter up and down repeatedly, accompanied by a subtle chill in the air.
What was different from the past was that no one lifted that sheer curtain anymore. No one casually jumped in with a smile, looking at Tiffany. Habits can be terrifying; she had grown accustomed to that person’s presence without realizing it. And now everything had returned to square one.
Tiffany shook her head, turned off the light, and closed her eyes to sleep. She didn’t know that across from Cedar Ridge Villa, a tall figure leaned against the trunk of a lush oak tree.
The dense foliage perfectly concealed his figure, and no one noticed his presence. It wasn’t until the light he had been watching for a long time finally went out that he withdrew his gaze and silently slipped away.
*****
After kicking off her blanket in the middle of the night, Tiffany woke up the next morning feeling dizzy, clearly coming down with a cold. She didn’t bother with medication for such a minor issue. After having breakfast at home, she headed off to school as usual.
Surprisingly, due to the bright and breezy weather, there were no classes that day, so the school organized an impromptu outdoor sketching activity. The students met this announcement with cheers, as sketching felt like a disguised field trip. After the recent monotony of classes, getting outside for a change was a welcome treat.
The outing’s destination was a picturesque rural village in Lovell City. As the students boarded the bus arranged by the school, Tiffany and Zoe found that it was nearly packed by the time they got on.
Ged waved his hand. “Over here!” He had claimed three seats at the back row of the bus, which spanned the entire width. Tiffany and Zoe made their way over, one following the other.
On the bus, someone discreetly stretched their foot out toward Tiffany. The bus aisle was narrow, and she could easily trip and fall without being careful. However, Tiffany’s reflexes were sharp.
The moment that foot extended, Tiffany noticed it but acted as if she hadn’t seen it. It only encouraged the boy further. As Tiffany approached, he eagerly anticipated her stumbling and making a fool of herself.
To everyone’s surprise, Tiffany walked right over and stepped on his foot without a hint of hesitation. “Ah!” he yelped in pain, pulling his foot back suddenly. Before he could curse, Tiffany grabbed him by the neck and yanked him out of his seat.
“What’s the benefit of messing with me, huh?” she said before throwing a punch that landed squarely on the boy’s face, leaving him bloodied.
This sudden turn of events took aback the other students, and they quickly stepped in. “Tiffany, why did you just hit him out of nowhere?” “Isn’t that a bit too much?” “We’re all classmates; can’t we just talk things out? Why do you have to bully him like this?” With a faint smile barely reaching her eyes, Tiffany shot a cold glance at them. “Unconvinced?” she asked, her demeanor radiating an air of arrogance and disdain. Her gaze was sharp as a knife, reminiscent of a poised leopard ready to pounce, exuding a lazy yet fierce intent.
The group that had just been so indignant was instantly taken aback and intimidated into silence. They quickly fell quiet, not daring to say another word.
Seeing the situation unfold, Kenneth was about to say something when he heard Melody speak up, surprisingly coming to Tiffany’s defense. “Could there be a misunderstanding here?
“I believe Tiffany isn’t that kind of person,” she said, her voice calm and soothing, effortlessly easing the tension in the air.
The boy who had been punched, with blood dripping from his nose, retorted, “What misunderstanding could there be? She’s just that overbearing, attacking for no reason!” He looked furious, conveniently omitting any mention of his earlier attempt to trip Tiffany.
Amid the chaos, no one had seen his sneaky actions from behind. As a result, the atmosphere inside the bus quickly turned against Tiffany, with an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction directed at her. Even though no one dared to confront her directly, others felt anger simmering beneath the surface, voicing their frustration silently.
Tiffany couldn’t be bothered to explain herself to the group. “If you can’t back it up, then just shut up. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to bully the weak.
“Got it?” she said before walking straight to the back of the bus where Ged had saved a seat for her.
The others could only return to their seats. As the boy who had been punched stuffed a wad of tissue up his nose, he glanced back at Melody. Their eyes met momentarily before quickly shifting away, and the incident was effectively brushed aside as if it had never happened.
The bus soon started moving, heading toward a rural village.
Several villages nestled among the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery, came into view. The picturesque scenery along the way was captivating, making it an enchanting experience.
Upon reaching their destination, they were allowed to disperse. After getting off the bus, everyone grabbed their sketchpads and formed small groups, wandering through the village in search of the most captivating scenery to capture.
Tiffany had no desire to wander far. Shortly after stepping off the bus, she spotted a melon shed and decided to sit there, enjoying the gentle breeze. Since she chose to stay put, Ged and Zoe naturally decided to remain with her. But to their surprise, Melody joined them, too.
There used to be a saying that the more a mother-in-law saw her son-in-law, the more she liked him. Thalia had encountered Richard several times before. At first, she assumed someone of his stature would be hard to get close to. After all, the rumors described Richard as having unpredictable moods and an intimidating, harsh presence.
But once she spent time with him, she realized that Richard had impeccable manners despite being only twenty-five and already at the pinnacle of wealth and success. Though he appeared distant and reserved on the outside, he was steady and composed and always treated her and her husband with kindness and respect.
Moreover, Thalia was quite confident. She wasn’t one to boast, but with Tiffany’s striking beauty and sharp, clever personality, it was hard to believe that the famously aloof Richard wasn’t interested in her. After all, he had handed it over to the Kelley family without any strict conditions or demands in the fiercely competitive Old Alley renovation project, treating it almost like a casual decision.
It included the humility he displayed by treating them as elders and showing the respect expected from someone younger. It wasn’t a case of instantly connecting by coincidence-it was clearly because of Tiffany. While Charlie might not have picked up on it, Thalia understood it perfectly.
Charlie paused momentarily, then said, “You’re overthinking it, honey. Mr. Hampton isn’t someone we can get close to like that. People must address him respectfully whether it’s Lovell City or elsewhere.” In comparison, the Kelley family was worlds apart from him, like heaven and earth. Charlie shook his head, not even daring to entertain the thought.
He immediately noticed Thalia’s expression turn cold and unsettling. “Are you saying our daughter isn’t good enough for him?” she asked.
“No, no, no. Our daughter is a stunning beauty; she would be more than a match for anyone!” Charlie replied.
“Well, then that settles it!” Thalia said.
“However…” Charlie wanted to say more, but seeing the look on her face, he feared he might end up in the guest room again that night. So he quickly changed his tune, saying, “Yes! Whatever you say, honey!” “That’s more like it,” Thalia said, finally showing a hint of happiness.
Just as Eric came downstairs, he looked utterly confused. He had splashed some oil on himself while eating and had run back to his room to wash up. Eric wondered what had happened in his absence. Seeing his parents being lovey-dovey on the sofa, he slapped his forehead and turned around to return upstairs.
He sighed inwardly, thinking, “The lingering taste of them lovey-dovey was unbearable.’ *****
At that moment, late at night, Tiffany sat on her bed, her gaze fixed on the nearby window. The window was unlocked, and the curtains were only half-drawn. A breeze drifted in, causing the delicate pink sheer curtains to flutter up and down repeatedly, accompanied by a subtle chill in the air.
What was different from the past was that no one lifted that sheer curtain anymore. No one casually jumped in with a smile, looking at Tiffany. Habits can be terrifying; she had grown accustomed to that person’s presence without realizing it. And now everything had returned to square one.
Tiffany shook her head, turned off the light, and closed her eyes to sleep. She didn’t know that across from Cedar Ridge Villa, a tall figure leaned against the trunk of a lush oak tree.
The dense foliage perfectly concealed his figure, and no one noticed his presence. It wasn’t until the light he had been watching for a long time finally went out that he withdrew his gaze and silently slipped away.
*****
After kicking off her blanket in the middle of the night, Tiffany woke up the next morning feeling dizzy, clearly coming down with a cold. She didn’t bother with medication for such a minor issue. After having breakfast at home, she headed off to school as usual.
Surprisingly, due to the bright and breezy weather, there were no classes that day, so the school organized an impromptu outdoor sketching activity. The students met this announcement with cheers, as sketching felt like a disguised field trip. After the recent monotony of classes, getting outside for a change was a welcome treat.
The outing’s destination was a picturesque rural village in Lovell City. As the students boarded the bus arranged by the school, Tiffany and Zoe found that it was nearly packed by the time they got on.
Ged waved his hand. “Over here!” He had claimed three seats at the back row of the bus, which spanned the entire width. Tiffany and Zoe made their way over, one following the other.
On the bus, someone discreetly stretched their foot out toward Tiffany. The bus aisle was narrow, and she could easily trip and fall without being careful. However, Tiffany’s reflexes were sharp.
The moment that foot extended, Tiffany noticed it but acted as if she hadn’t seen it. It only encouraged the boy further. As Tiffany approached, he eagerly anticipated her stumbling and making a fool of herself.
To everyone’s surprise, Tiffany walked right over and stepped on his foot without a hint of hesitation. “Ah!” he yelped in pain, pulling his foot back suddenly. Before he could curse, Tiffany grabbed him by the neck and yanked him out of his seat.
“What’s the benefit of messing with me, huh?” she said before throwing a punch that landed squarely on the boy’s face, leaving him bloodied.
This sudden turn of events took aback the other students, and they quickly stepped in. “Tiffany, why did you just hit him out of nowhere?” “Isn’t that a bit too much?” “We’re all classmates; can’t we just talk things out? Why do you have to bully him like this?” With a faint smile barely reaching her eyes, Tiffany shot a cold glance at them. “Unconvinced?” she asked, her demeanor radiating an air of arrogance and disdain. Her gaze was sharp as a knife, reminiscent of a poised leopard ready to pounce, exuding a lazy yet fierce intent.
The group that had just been so indignant was instantly taken aback and intimidated into silence. They quickly fell quiet, not daring to say another word.
Seeing the situation unfold, Kenneth was about to say something when he heard Melody speak up, surprisingly coming to Tiffany’s defense. “Could there be a misunderstanding here?
“I believe Tiffany isn’t that kind of person,” she said, her voice calm and soothing, effortlessly easing the tension in the air.
The boy who had been punched, with blood dripping from his nose, retorted, “What misunderstanding could there be? She’s just that overbearing, attacking for no reason!” He looked furious, conveniently omitting any mention of his earlier attempt to trip Tiffany.
Amid the chaos, no one had seen his sneaky actions from behind. As a result, the atmosphere inside the bus quickly turned against Tiffany, with an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction directed at her. Even though no one dared to confront her directly, others felt anger simmering beneath the surface, voicing their frustration silently.
Tiffany couldn’t be bothered to explain herself to the group. “If you can’t back it up, then just shut up. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to bully the weak.
“Got it?” she said before walking straight to the back of the bus where Ged had saved a seat for her.
The others could only return to their seats. As the boy who had been punched stuffed a wad of tissue up his nose, he glanced back at Melody. Their eyes met momentarily before quickly shifting away, and the incident was effectively brushed aside as if it had never happened.
The bus soon started moving, heading toward a rural village.
Several villages nestled among the mountains, surrounded by lush greenery, came into view. The picturesque scenery along the way was captivating, making it an enchanting experience.
Upon reaching their destination, they were allowed to disperse. After getting off the bus, everyone grabbed their sketchpads and formed small groups, wandering through the village in search of the most captivating scenery to capture.
Tiffany had no desire to wander far. Shortly after stepping off the bus, she spotted a melon shed and decided to sit there, enjoying the gentle breeze. Since she chose to stay put, Ged and Zoe naturally decided to remain with her. But to their surprise, Melody joined them, too.
Chapter 202 Chapter 202 As soon as Melody arrived, Kenneth followed closely behind her acting as her devoted protector. Lately, the two had been inseparable at school, giving the impression that their relationship was exceptionally close. They entered and exited together, even having meals together in the canteen.
With the unexpected arrival of these two guests, Zoe’s face showed apparent hostility. Melody stepped forward, her voice gentle as she asked. “May I sit here for a while?” “Sounds like if we said no, you’d leave,” Zoe replied bluntly, not holding back her thoughts as usual.
Melody’s expression stiffened momentarily before she quickly returned to her usual composure.
The melon shed was built here, and since the owner was absent, there was no reason to chase any visitors away. Kenneth pulled her down to sit, saying, “Don’t mind them.” Melody smiled and sat on the other side of the melon shed as suggested.
At that moment, Ged walked in with two giant watermelons from the melon patch, grinning as he exclaimed, “Hey, guys! These melons turned out great! They’re big and crisp, and they should be juicy!” “Give it a try,” Tiffany replied lazily. As Ged approached, she added, “You didn’t trample any of the melons in the patch while picking them, did you?” “No, I was careful since you reminded me,” Ged said, placing the two giant melons on the mat in the shelter. The sweet, crisp melon split open with a casual slap, revealing its crunchy flesh.
Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Wow, it’s so red!” The three happily dug in, enjoying the juicy melon.
Seeing this, Kenneth frowned and couldn’t help but reprimand, “How can you be so rude? Resting under someone else’s shade is one thing, but stealing their fruit?” Just as he spoke, a middle-aged man hurried over, clearly the owner of the melon shed.
Kenneth hurriedly said, “The owner is coming, and you’re still eating?” He thought, ‘This is reckless!’ However, Tiffany remained relaxed, not even casting a glance at him. When the middle-aged man arrived, he smiled and was extremely polite, saying, “Dear guests, if you need anything, just let me know!” After saying that, he happily went off to collect the money.
The sight took Kenneth aback because money was already on the table in the melon shed. He realized, ‘No wonder.
Before Ged picked the melons from the field, Tiffany had already paid. The melon farmers had a hard life, so this extra income made them quite happy.
Only then did Kenneth notice a simple sign on the table: [Passersby are welcome to rest here; feel free to take melons from the field, leave the payment.] Kenneth’s face burned with embarrassment. He realized he had jumped to conclusions without fully understanding the situation, just like he had done every other time.
It seemed that finding fault with Tiffany had become a reflex for Kenneth. Yet, in reality, she had done nothing wrong. As memories of the past flooded his mind, he felt guilty. Just then, someone gently nudged his arm, interrupting his thoughts..
He turned to see Melody gazing at him with bright, clear eyes. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked.
“No, nothing,” Kenneth replied, pulling himself back from his thoughts. He looked at her gently and smiled. “Are you thirsty? I’ll go grab one for you; wait here.” “Okay.” Melody nodded obediently, her radiant smile illuminating her face. Her bright, captivating eyes were even more enchanting than the picturesque scenery behind her.
Kenneth was distracted as he hurried into the melon patch; he had never done anything like this. It was his first time visiting a rural village, and he couldn’t tell which melons were ripe. He mistakenly trampled a cluster of melon plants in haste, destroying several.
Upon seeing the damage, the owner couldn’t help but feel sympathy, thinking that Kenneth was quite a handful. He rushed over, saying, “Let me help you, my dear guest. I’ll pick one for you.” With that, he picked up a large melon and gently patted it, producing a crisp sound that echoed clearly.
Kenneth apologized, saying, “I’m sorry about the ones I damaged, I’ll pay for them.” With that, he reached for his wallet.
The owner waved his hand and pointed to Tiffany sitting in the shelter. “No need for that. The young lady over there already paid enough. I can’t take advantage of you.” Ultimately, it meant that Tiffany was effectively covering his expenses. Kenneth felt utterly embarrassed as he returned to the shelter, only to find that Tiffany had already left.
“Kenneth, why do you seem so distracted?” Melody asked, holding a fresh watermelon and blinking her eyes. “Is something on your mind?” “No, it’s just that it’s my first time here, and I didn’t expect to have such an experience,” Kenneth casually offered as an excuse.
“Oh. Melody didn’t press further, her expression remaining innocent and cheerful. However, her gaze drifted past Kenneth, landing on the rustic mountain path ahead. She watched Tiffany’s slender, graceful figure gradually fade into the distance, her eyes reflecting a complex emotion that others couldn’t comprehend.
Tiffany had asked the owner of the melon shed about nearby attractions and learned that there was a beautiful mountain spring not far away. She enjoyed her snack and decided it was time to get down to business. As she wandered through the picturesque landscape, she eventually stumbled upon the mountain spring the owner had mentioned.
It was a clear spring at the foot of the mountain, beside a locust tree that leaned over the cliff’s edge, its branches heavy with clusters of unknown small red fruits. Lush green grass surrounded the area, and the cool mountain breeze helped dissipate any lingering heat. It was, indeed, a hidden gem in nature.
Tiffany reclined lazily beneath the locust tree, casually addressing the two of them, “I’m going to take a nap for a bit. Feel free to do as you like.” Upon hearing this, Zoe and Ged both twitched their lips in unison. Before they arrived, she had mentioned wanting to take care of some important business, but now it seemed that stuffing herself and napping was part of that agenda. They could only sigh in resignation, knowing they had no choice but to indulge her.
Fortunately, the scenery here was stunning. Ged and Zoe set up their easels and then huddled together to play games. Unfortunately, the signal was poor, cutting in and out intermittently. They struggled through the game, getting so frustrated that they almost ended up hanging from the locust tree.
Fatigue began to set in as they played, and the two leaned against each other, dozing off on the grass. After an unknown amount of time, Tiffany suddenly woke up; her gaze was bright and clear, showing no signs of sleepiness.
Tiffany suddenly sat up. Just moments ago, she had heard cries for help drifting in from a distant place; she couldn’t tell what was happening.
Tiffany thought and quickly took out her Galaxy from her bag. It was the same finely crafted bow, but this time, she replaced the fletching with ordinary ones, just like when she had saved Kenneth before, to conceal her identity.
At that moment, several people came running from the other side of the mountain spring, looking frantic and terrified. It was some classmates from her group, including the boy with a bloodied nose who had tried to trip her on the bus and had received a harsh lesson from her. They rushed over, their faces filled with fear, shouting incoherently, “Help us! Please help us! Don’t come any closer!” Having reached this point with no way out, they were forced to stop, and despair washed over their faces.
Tiffany asked in a low voice, “What happened?”
Chapter 203 Chapter 203 Meanwhile, Zoe and Ged, who had been sound asleep, were jolted awake. They quickly sat up, their faces filled with confusion. “What’s going on? What happened?” However, that group of people was so terrified that they looked pale and trembled, pointing toward the direction they had come from without saying a word. Tiffany raised her hand and slapped one of them. “You useless bunch! Can’t you be more promising?” After being slapped, that boy finally came to his senses and stammered, “A snake… a huge python!” Tiffany was speechless; she thought, ‘So that was enough to scare these guys to the point of tears?’ Just then, Kenneth and Melody rushed over, looking anxious. “What happened? What’s going on?” Kenneth asked. It was clear that he had also heard the cries for help.
The mountain was vast, but they hadn’t spread too far apart, so calling out echoed through the valley. Thus, Kenneth had heard the chilling cries for help just moments ago.
No one answered him when suddenly a python sprang out from the bushes. Positioned poorly, Kenneth was the first target of the python’s attack. The events were too sudden; before he could react, Melody pushed him aside, exclaiming, “Kenneth, watch out!” He stumbled back from the push, but the python immediately trapped Melody. The sight sent chills down the others’ spines, and they erupted into frantic screams.
Only Tiffany remained unfazed; her calm demeanor contrasted with the chaos around her. “Is this little thing enough to scare you all? What a waste of space,” she said. With that, she notched an arrow and released it precisely, sending it flying toward the snake.
Her audacious posture and composed expression, combined with the seemingly careless way she released the arrow, shocked everyone. They were utterly terrified, their hearts racing as they watched her act calmly in the face of danger.
“Ah!” someone screamed, terrified that the arrow would miss its target and pierce the trapped Melody. The fear of collateral damage gripped them as they.watched the arrow fly through the air.
Not only the others but even Melody felt her color drain. Watching the swiftly approaching arrow, she couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling of being used as a target. In a split second, she steeled herself and quietly shifted to the side. The arrow, which should have missed her entirely, was now on the verge of grazing her neck.
The python shifted uneasily, causing the sharp arrow to pierce its flesh. It all happened in the blink of an eye, so quickly that no one could truly grasp it. No one noticed Melody’s intentions in that fleeting moment.
The injured python immediately released her and fled frantically into the fields. Tiffany retracted her bow, a playful smile on her face. While others hadn’t noticed, she had caught on to Melody’s reckless behavior moments before. She thought, ‘She was truly something else.’ Once the crisis was averted, Kenneth quickly rushed over to help Melody. His expression was concerned as he asked, “Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?” “I’m fine…” she forced a smile, though her expression revealed that she was still shaken from the encounter.
Kenneth felt both guilty and hurt. In that brief moment, Melody had pushed him away, putting herself in danger to protect him; otherwise, she wouldn’t have found herself in such a predicament.
The tension gradually eased, and people started talking. Someone remarked, “Melody cares about Mr. Harper indeed. She risked her life to shield him in such a dangerous situation just now!” Another added, “Exactly, if it had been me, I would have fainted from fear long ago!” A steady murmur reached Kenneth’s
Chapter 204 Chapter 204 ‘Could it be Tiffany?‘ That day, he was severely injured and barely managed to escape. In a dazed state, he sensed someone saving him. Struggling to open his eyes, he saw a face partially obscured, but those eyes—bright as the stars–stood out clearly.
Kenneth’s heart sank. Given Tiffany’s hatred and distaste for him, she could not risk facing those assailants to rescue him.
‘What about Melody?‘ he thought. That familiar figure and those eyes were unmistakably the same person he had seen in his memories.
Lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a pair of hands waving in front of his face. “Kenneth, what’s wrong? You’ve spaced out several times today,” Melody said.
“I’m fine,” Kenneth forced a smile and said softly, “You can’t risk yourself for me anymore. Next time, if something like this happens, you must avoid it. Do you understand?
“And that night when I was injured, I was being hunted down. Saving me was dangerous–you know those people were desperate criminals.” As he spoke, his worried gaze shifted toward Melody.
In truth, his words were a roundabout probing. He wanted to know how Melody, who was barely capable of defending herself, had managed to save him from those assailants.
However, Melody smiled brightly, her eyes curving with joy, stars seemingly dancing within them. “Even if I had to do it all over again, I’d still make the same choice. Whether before or now.
“Even knowing I’d be overmatched, I still wouldn’t want to see you hurt.” Her words were clear, her face full of sincerity, with a hint of shyness in her smile. With these words, she had laid her feelings bare.
Kenneth was momentarily surprised, but then an overwhelming sense of joy surged. Of course. Just like this time–when danger struck, her instinct was to shield him. That action alone spoke volumes about her feelings. He realized there was no reason to keep doubting her.
Kenneth scolded himself inwardly, then gently helped Melody to her feet. Under the bright sun, they gazed at each other with deep affection. The scene was perfectly matched, radiating a sense of harmony between them.
Some people envied them, others sighed, and some quietly felt sorry for Tiffany. She had been chasing after Kenneth since she was around twelve or thirteen, putting in at least five or six years of effort. She endured countless embarrassing moments, from her first stirrings of love to finally becoming his fiancée. Yet, in the end, it all seemed futile, overshadowed by Melody’s mere days of presence.
While others were filled with sympathy, Zoe was seething with anger.
She thought, ‘Kenneth Harper, you absolute jerk! You are making me sick! What a special breed of utter foolishness! It’s infuriating!‘ Feeling thoroughly annoyed, Zoe sarcastically remarked, “If Mr. Harper is still tough, then could you please show a bit of responsibility? It’s ridiculous to be all lovey–dovey with someone while letting your family pressure Tiffany into acknowledging the marriage. Don’t you think that’s pretty pathetic?” Upon hearing this, Kenneth frowned instantly. “What do you mean, pressuring her to acknowledge the marriage?” “Oh, you don’t know? Just yesterday, Tiffany was forcefully invited to your house and pressured to choose a date for the wedding, she replied.
“What?” He hadn’t known about this, and no one had mentioned it to him.
Kenneth turned his questioning gaze toward Tiffany, seeking answers from her. It seemed that some things were better expressed openly.
Tiffany leaned against the tree trunk, closing her eyes to rest, and casually replied, “Could you please explain things to your grandfather?” Kenneth fell silent for a moment. “I understand…” The implications behind just a few words were significant.
While everyone else was eager to watch the drama unfold, Melody’s expression changed as she stepped back in shock. “You… you all…” Her disbelief was evident, and her eyes quickly filled with tears. “So you already had an engagement? I’m sorry, I’m so sorry; it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have shown up.” With that, she turned and ran away.
Kenneth instantly panicked and hurried after her. The two figures quickly vanished from the crowd’s view, one pursuing and the other fleeing.
Zoe clapped her hands, exclaiming, “I’m utterly amazed! How can they act so well? I admire that!” Tiffany shot her a bemused glance and waved her hand, saying, “Stop staring and let’s go.” She liked this place, but with such a crowd, she no longer enjoyed it.
Tiffany led Zoe and Ged away, continuing to explore the quaint village. The others watched the trio’s retreating figures, feeling apprehensive and wanting to follow along.
Though reluctant, they had to admit that they would feel much safer with Tiffany around. No matter the danger, she could easily handle it. However, it was clear they weren’t particularly welcome. The group exchanged glances, realizing they lacked the courage to approach her.
In this village, known for its beautiful scenery, many visitors often come to enjoy themselves. Along the way, several farmhouses offered food and drinks, so there was no shortage of refreshments. It wasn’t until three in the afternoon that everyone gathered together and boarded the bus for the return trip.
The excited chatter on the bus was relentless, filled with lively voices and laughter. Tiffany settled into her seat, yawning lazily. She then pulled down her cap to shield her face and closed her eyes, drifting into a light sleep.
The bus remained parked for about ten minutes, with everyone else on board except for Kenneth and Melody. “Where did they go? Are they coming back?” someone wondered aloud.
No one answered the calls, and some impatient people began to urge, “Come on, maybe they’re just enjoying the scenery together in the mountains. Why are we worrying? Let’s go, let’s go.” Waiting like this wasn’t a viable option. After a moment, the driver decided to leave first, planning to arrange for another vehicle to return and pick them up later.
Kenneth and Melody finally arrived. “Sorry for the wait,” they said as they hurried onto the bus.
When they saw the two return, someone with a mischievous grin teased, “Oh, did you two make up? Are you done throwing tantrums?” Melody blushed. “I’m sorry for holding everyone up…” Kenneth laughed and reassured her, “They won’t blame you. Come on, take a seat.” Upon seeing this, the others dared not say anything further. After all, with Kenneth’s status, they had to give him a face. So, the matter was brushed aside amidst laughter and teasing.
The bus started moving forward. After navigating two winding mountain roads, it was about to cross a stone bridge when suddenly, a loud bang echoed, and both of the bus’s tires burst simultaneously.
The sudden noise startled everyone, causing the entire bus to tilt slightly and prompting most passengers to scream in surprise. “What the hell just happened? What was that sound?” “Did we get a flat tire? How could something go wrong with the us all of a sudden?” The driver, clearly startled, quickly pulled the handbrake and got out to inspect the situation. He discovered that both tires had been pierced by sharp triangular spikes, which caused the blowouts.
He thought, ‘How could something like this be on the road? Is this some prank?‘ Without dwelling on it, the driver quickly called to report the situation.
The school didn’t expect such an incident to occur either. However, given the long distance, sending another bus would likely take until dark. Therefore, they arranged a dozen nearby small vehicles to pick up the students first.
The small vehicles arrived quickly, and the students rushed to get on. However, there weren’t enough cars for everyone, leaving nine students unable to board.
The driver said, “You all wait here. I’ll take them back to the main road and then return to pick you up.” There was no other option. So among those who stayed behind were Tiffany, Zoe, Ged, Kenneth, Melody, and four other classmates. They had no choice but to wait.
Melody seemed scared as she clung tightly to Kenneth’s arm, asking, “Do you think something will happen?” “Don’t worry,” he reassured her. “I’ll have my driver come and get us.” As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, only to realize that the signal seemed disrupted at that moment, making it impossible to make a call. He thought, ‘What is going on here?‘ Kenneth was momentarily stunned, unaware of the scheming glint that flickered in Melody’s eyes beside him.
Chapter 205 Chapter 205 Tiffany was the last to step off the bus with the flat tires. She yawned lazily, seemingly unfazed by the commotion that had just occurred.
Zoe immediately approached her and said, “Tiffany, if you’re not feeling well, why not sleep a bit longer? Don’t worry. Ged and I will keep watch over you.” During lunch at the farmhouse, Zoe had noticed that Tiffany seemed off. She was unusually sleepy and struggled to wake up. After some insistence, they borrowed a thermometer from the host family, and it turned out that Tiffany had a slight fever.
Just as they were about to head back, the bus had a flat tire. When the small vehicles arrived to pick them up, everyone rushed to get on, shoving each other aside as if they were competing for something, leaving no seats available. It was pretty frustrating.
Tiffany shook her head and said, “I’m fine.” As she walked to the front of the bus, her eyes flickered upon seeing several triangular spikes. It was not an accident; someone had done this on purpose.
It was unclear who the target was-either Tiffany or Kenneth. As Tiffany got up and looked through the bus’s windshield, she inadvertently spotted a group of over a dozen shadowy figures moving silently in the grass near the stone bridge.
At that very moment, an arrow shot through the air, aimed directly at her back.
Tiffany stumbled backward in time, and the arrow embedded itself with a loud clang into the bus’s metal, showcasing its terrifying penetrating power. The sudden turn of events startled everyone.
Before anyone could react, over a dozen figures suddenly sprang from the bushes, armed with weapons-some wielding daggers, others with bows and arrows. They quickly surrounded the group, leaving the four students terrified, their faces pale and trembling in fear.
Melody was equally frightened, but she had Kenneth standing in front of her. Similarly, Zoe and Ged quickly positioned themselves before Tiffany, ready to shield her from the imminent danger.
The scorching sun felt distant, as the mountain breeze swept through, overshadowed by a chilling sense of dread. The group of assailants stood expressionless, brandishing their cold, sharp daggers, their gaze scanning the girls present. One of them spoke up, “Who is Tiffany Kelley?” It was clear that they were after her. Among the nine people present, only Tiffany, Melody, Zoe, and a girl named Arielle Solis were in the spotlight. The three boys exchanged fearful glances, their eyes wide with terror, yet none dared to step forward.
Kenneth frowned. Initially, he thought these people were after him, but to his surprise, they weren’t.
However, even so, he stepped forward. “Who are you? How dare you come here and cause trouble? Let me warn you, if you don’t want to cross the Harper family, you’d better leave now.” He maintained a stern expression, exuding an aura of authority. It was the innate arrogance of the Harper family, a confidence that came from being born into privilege and power.
Zoe glanced at him in surprise. Despite being a bit of a jerk, he didn’t exhibit the cowardice of a petty person. In a moment like this, having the courage and boldness to stand up was far better than the other boys, who only shrank back in fear.
Ged shared the same sentiment. At least he had the guts to stand up. However, these assailants wouldn’t have come without a plan, meaning they were ready for whatever might unfold.
Upon hearing the threat, they sneered and scoffed, “Oh really? Then why doesn’t Mr. Harper call for help?” All signals for help had been jammed. It turned out this was their doing as well. Kenneth’s expression darkened even further.
The group of assailants advanced step by step, their intentions clear. “Not going to speak up, huh? Fine, there are only four girls here. It is better to kill the wrong ones than to let any escape Go!” They surged forward without hesitation.
The first target was the nearest one, Zoe, With a resigned sigh, she said, “So you’ve figured it out? Fine, I am the one you’re looking for.” She openly admitted it, hoping to protect Tiffany in the process.
Tiffany’s expression shifted as she saw one of the assailants step forward, raising his dagger without hesitation to plunge it into Zoe.
Protected behind her, Tiffany swiftly yanked Zoe back while delivering a powerful kick that sent the assailant flying, causing the dagger to clatter.
Tiffany’s expression was cold. Ignoring Zoc’s anxious tugging from behind, Tiffany casually stepped forward and said lazily, “I’m right here. How do you all want to meet your end?” The assailants paused, their gazes lingering on her as they sized her up. Some even exchanged interesting remarks-“This girl’s the most beautiful. She must be the one, right?” “Yeah, I’d say there’s a good chance it’s her.” Hearing that their method of identifying people was simply based on looks, Tiffany couldn’t help but twitch her mouth. She thought, Were these people too confident in their abilities?’ In the blink of an eye, they made their move. Two of them rushed at her, launching a coordinated attack. They did have the skills to back up their arrogance.
As Tiffany engaged with her opponents, she felt an overwhelming pressure unlike anything before. They were undeniably skilled, but rather than intimidate her, it stirred her interest. She enjoyed facing opponents who were stronger than her.
Seeing Tiffany in danger, Ged picked up a large stone and rushed forward. However, Tiffa command, “Stand back! Everyone, leave!” stopped him with a sharp If the fight turned against her, she could always scatter the poison powder hidden on her, unleashing an indiscriminate attack. Ged charging in recklessly would only slow her down. But her two opponents quickly seized the opening in that brief moment of distraction.
One of their daggers swiftly sliced across her arm, leaving a deep cut. Blood began to flow freely.
Ged was worried, pacing anxiously and wishing he could slap himself twice for his inability to help. Not only was he useless, but he had also inadvertently caused Tiffany to get hurt. He felt like the biggest failure.
Ged’s eyes welled up with self-reproach. However, if the two-on-one situation continued without assistance, Tiffany wo undoubtedly be disadvantaged.
As he found himself in a bind, Kenneth casually said, “Get the others out of here; I’ll help.” With that, he jumped into the fray. However, he seemed to have forgotten just how uneven the odds were.
With Kenneth’s arrival, Tiffany felt some relief from the pressure, but seven or eight more assailants had yet to make their move. They aimed their bows and arrows at Zoe and the others, a sinister threat hanging in the air.
“Better back off, or these people will die right in front of you!” With this connection, they had turned into a vulnerability.
Tiffany would never allow her people to get hurt. Meanwhile, Kenneth, concerned for Melody’s safety, hesitated and ultimately decided to hold back. Both of them chose to surrender.
Seeing this, a few of the assailants were pleased. They approached Tiffany with their knives and asked again, “You are Tiffany Kelley, right?” “Yes,” she replied without a-lunt of hesitation, confidently acknowledging her identity.
“That’s good.” The man in charge seemed to appreciate Tiffany’s straightforward nature. He added, “I’ll make it quick for you. Don’t worry; I’ll let these people go after you die.” In such a situation, one would expect someone to plead for mercy or at least show fear and tremble in terror. But Tiffany looked up and laughed.
Then, without a hint of panic, she replied, “Sure.” Her bright eyes and radiant smile made her exquisitely beautiful. Those eyes seemed to hold a galaxy within them.
Clear as a spring and dazzlingly vast, no matter how beautiful the scenery was before her, it paled in comparison.
The assailant sighed with a hint of regret, saying, “What a pity.” Then he raised his hand, firmly gripping the dagger.
Chapter 206 Chapter 206 Zoe was scared out of her wits. She shouted at the top of her lungs, “No, stop!” Kenneth did not expect those people to be ruthless. When he saw Tiffany’s slender figure standing on the spot as if waiting to die, his heart suddenly ached. All the blood in his body seemed to have concentrated in his head. Then, he rushed over without a care.
At that moment, the knife was about to stab into Tiffany’s heart. The situation was unavoidable. But suddenly, a gust of wind blew past, and a wave of light purple powder rose in the air. Seeing this, the assassin took a few steps back. “Retreat, it’s toxic!” However, it was already too late. The universe seemed to be on Tiffany’s side. Coincidentally, a gust of wind blew, and the light purple powder gushed towards the assassin.
In the blink of an eye, a few poisoned assassins had already collapsed to the ground, wailing miserably. This poison was not fatal, but it could paralyze anyone who breathed it. In an instant the tables had turned. The assassins were all lying limply on the ground.
Tiffany looked down with a disdainful gaze. “Tell me, who sent you?” There was no reason to ask this question then, but given the current circumstances, it would be a good time to inquire.
An assassin could not bear the pain all over his body. He looked at Tiffany in agony. “Who are you?” But Tiffany kicked him. “You were sent to kill me but don’t know who I am?” The assassin cried out in pain, but he kept his mouth shut and refused to say anything. In an instant, Tiffany unseathed her switchblade. With one slash, two fresh wounds appeared on the man’s arm. He had given her a wound, and with Tiffany returning two, it was only fair.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me?” Tiffany threatened without changing her cold expression, “You’re poisoned. You’ll die in three to five minutes at most. At least do one last noble thing before you depart.” The truth was that the poison’s effect would be gone within that time, and the strength they had lost would gradually recover. After all, it was not potent.
Luckily, the threat was effective. No one could withstand the pain and panic of facing death. Like when Tiffany poisoned Garry, he was frightened and obediently told what she wanted to know. Even a ruthless person was afraid of death.
Hearing this, a few assassins exchanged gazes. After struggling for a few seconds, one of the men said, “You promise to give us the antidote?” “Of course.” “Okay, I’ll talk.” The man sat up with difficulty and said weakly, “Yes, someone…” However, just as he started talking, a bullet flew over. It was aimed at Tiffany. From the looks of it, the assassin wanted to end her with one shot. Tiffany had nowhere else to run but to jump off the bridge. She barely dodged it, but a second bullet came at her.
The moment Tiffany jumped into the water, she made a big splash. Her blood dyed the water into a blinding bright red.
This was an unexpected turn of events. Kenneth’s heart skipped a few beats. His head felt light and his vision blurred. He knew it was Tiffany’s blood. ‘It is Tiffany’s… How is she… Other than Kenneth. Zoe was shocked and fainted. Ged’s eyes also widened in shock as he screamed, “Richard, where are you?” However, the water’s surface was calm. There was no response as blood darkened the water’s surface.
Melody never thought that things would turn out like this. Her eyes flashed with a complicated look. No one could tell what she was feeling.
After confirming that Tiffany had been eliminated, the person who had shot her appeared. He looked at the group of assassins on the ground and said coldly, “Trash!” Those people didn’t dare to make a sound after being reprimanded. But then, they realized something. They had been fooled. Instead of seeing their maker, they gradually recovered their strength. The poison’s effect slowly wore off.
Meanwhile, Ged picked up a stone and rushed over, as if he wanted to fight the shooter to death. “I’ll kill you!” He roared and rushed forward with a ruthless face.
But the next second, a black gun was aimed at his forehead. The man grinned, “Do you want to die so badly? I can make it quick.” As he spoke, he was about to pull the trigger.
At that moment, a switchblade flew out from the grass and stabbed his back. However, the blade was dull and barely made a scratch. It caught the shooter off guard and he turned around in disbelief. He saw Tiffany crawling out of the water. She was disheveled but remained breathtakingly beautiful.
“Die, die!” As Tiffany spoke, she raised her hand and shot out an arrow. However, the shooter was strong. The arrow did not hurt him even after being caught off guard and hit.
“Well played.” The man was angered. He walked to Tiffany and grabbed her neck.
At that moment, Tiffany could no longer use the poisonous powder because it was drenched when she fell into the water. Tiffany had a low fever, her leg had been seriously injured, and she got so cold that she almost lost consciousness after walking out of the water.
Tiffany didn’t have the strength to raise her hand. She closed her eyes as her consciousness began fading. In a daze, she saw Ged and Kenneth rushing over. However, the shooter swept them away in one move. The gi girls were so frightened that they hugged their heads and cried..Their tears flowed. She also saw… Richard suddenly descended like a god and saved her. ‘Huh? Am I hallucinating?’ Tiffany forced herself to open her eyes and saw a handsome face. ‘It seems like… why does it feel so real?’ Richard’s face was cold. After hugging Tiffany, he looked at the assassins in shock, especially the leader who was the most seriously injured. A cold voice that sounded like it came from hell entered everyone’s ears, “Die.” The word was cold and heartless, and Richard’s presence was enough to alarm every individual of the threat he posed. Richard was angry.
Seeing Richard’s state, his trusted subordinate, John Ross, immediately waved his hand. The bodyguards behind him immediately dragged the limp assassins as if they were dragging a dead dog. It was obvious they would have a terrible fate waiting.
Tiffany blinked weakly. She looked at the corner of Richard’s tightly clenched jaw and his cold, emotionless eyes. There was anger and anxiety in them that could not be hidden. But this made her smile as her gaze softened. “You’re here?” She said coquettishly.
Richard’s hand trembled as he hugged her. When he heard the news, he rushed over without a second thought, and he almost lost control when he saw her covered in blood. He was only grateful that he arrived in time. Otherwise… Richard did not dare to think about the outcome. “Yes, I’m here.” His voice was filled with lingering fear. No one knew that the man who could remain calm even if the world collapsed would reveal such an emotion.
Chapter 207 Chapter 207 Richard hugged Tiffany with gentleness as if the person in his arms was a rare treasure, His cold face was filled with endless fear and self-reproach. He was enveloped in towering anger, but his movements were careful, afraid of touching her wound.
After Tiffany said those words, her vision blurred and she fainted Richard carried her away. As he ran, he did not look at anyone.
But before getting into the car, he ordered, “Don’t let those few die too easily.” “Yes, Sir!” His men watched as Richard drove away.
Richard was like a gust of wind that could not be grasped. He came and went decisively, leaving only his cold, noble, and mysterious presence. Everyone present was tense. However, the girls screamed excitedly, “Mr. Hampton, ahhh, that’s Mr. Hampton!” Richard, who was extremely wealthy, powerful, untouchable, and handsome, was only a dream in the hearts of billions of girls. Everyone wanted to be his lover. Everyone wanted to be treated differently by him. Everyone wanted to be his other half and become Mrs. Hampton.
However, no matter how many people tried, they could never get close to him and could not enter his sight. He was difficult to get like a rare flower on the edge of a cliff.
But that day, his attitude towards Tiffany revealed something the public eyes had never seen. It was like a warning that he was no longer available for anyone. The girls looked at each other with eyes filled with envy and amazement. Melody asked curiously, “Who is he?” “You have no idea who he is?” One of the girls looked disdainful. “Have you been living under a rock? You’re so ignorant!” “That’s Mr. Hampton, the current leader of The Hampton family. He holds the lifeline of the global economy and is extremely rich! You have no idea who he is? Let me simplify it for you. He’s not someone anyone can have.” “I see.” Melody acted as if she could not sense their mockery. She asked innocently, “Then what’s the relationship between Tiffany and this Mr. Hampton?” She was genuinely curious. If anyone couldn’t have Richard, why could Tiffany? And why was he angry just now?
Melody’s words easily triggered her classmates’ jealousy. However, they were quickly humbled by the circumstances. They never dared to make a real effort, even if they had such thoughts and ambitions. Hence, at most, they could only be envious of Tiffany.
One of the girls finally commented, “What kind of relationship she has is not something you and I have the right to comment about.” “Exactly.” Another girl said bluntly, “I advise you not to ask around. Don’t even think about it. Mr. Hampton isn’t something someone of your status can climb up to, understand?” “You’re right.” Melody smiled. Her fair and flawless face looked pure and harmless. However, no one saw the hint of disdain and pride hidden in her clear eyes.
‘Unattainable? That’s what you think. That’s not an obstacle for me.
Not long after, a car came to pick them up. Kenneth and Ged were seriously injured. One of them had yet to recover from their serious injuries, while the other had a weak physique. Just now, when Ged tried to go forward and fight the assassin, he was thrown away in the blink of an eye and was covered in wounds. In addition, there was also Zoe who fainted from shock. All of them were sent to the hospital.
At the same time in Royal Bay, Sidney was called over immediately. He did not have time to catch his breath. Under Richard’s burning gaze, he treated Tiffany’s wound under immense pressure. The most serious injury was the gunshot wound. The bullet pierced-through her flesh. Fortunately, it did not hurt her vital parts.
Sidney heaved a sigh of relief. “Overall, it’s not too serious. Tiffany was lucky. The bullet didn’t hit her bones or affect certain nerves. Don’t worry.” However, Richard frowned coldly. “You’re saying this is not serious?” Just by looking at Tiffany’s pale face, he wished he could b*****r the man who had injured and tortured her.
Sidney looked helpless. “Have you forgotten the moment when you were gravely wounded and almost died? Compared to this, this is nothing!” “You’re comparing me to her?” Richard’s face darkened. “Hurry up and treat her wound.” After a pause, he added, “Be gentle.” “Got it.” Sidney sighed.
Sidney couldn’t help but think about what happened to the cold-blooded man he knew. A few days ago, he thought Richard and Tiffany would break up. But that day, he accidentally heard that Tiffany was out of school. On her way back, her car had a flat tire. Richard felt something was wrong and immediately abandoned his projects to rush over. Unexpectedly, something did happen to Tiffany.
Sidney did not care if Tiffany could hear him. As he treated her wound, he said faintly, “Tiffany, he loves you deeply…” At that moment, Tiffany could not hear him. The fatigue that she had accumulated for a long time finally got her. With her illness and injury, she only wanted to sleep quietly. Perhaps she knew she was out of danger or saw Richard appear before she fainted. In short, she felt more at ease. Even if it was a dream, she felt peaceful.
Tiffany slept for two days and two nights. When she woke in a daze, she thought she would see Richard’s handsome face. She also thought about what she would say when she saw him.
However, when Tiffany opened her eyes, she realized she was not at Royal Bay. Instead, she was in a hospital. James and June were guarding her. Seeing she had woken up, the two of them heaved a sigh of relief. “You’re finally awake. Does your wound still hurt? Hurry up and take the medicine.” – Tiffany turned her head away and did not eat the pill brought to her mouth. She only asked, “Why am I here? Where’s Richard?” The person she saw before she fainted was Richard. The worry and anxiety in her eyes were obvious. In her faint sleep, she knew she had been taken to Royal Bay. Hence, she fell asleep peacefully. But when she woke up, she was in the hospital. This could only mean that while she was unconscious, James brought her away from Royal Bay. Thinking of this, Tiffany was disappointed.
James sighed softly. “Tiffany, isn’t it good to have us by your side?” Tiffany forced a smile. “Pretty good.” As she spoke, she closed her eyes. Her pale face looked weak. “I’ll sleep for a while. You don’t have to guard me anymore.” June frowned when he saw this but still walked out of the ward with James. After closing the door, June asked, “Why did you… do this?” On the night of Tiffany’s accident, James personally went to Royal Bay to ask for her. But when enemies meet, their eyes reveal intense tension. Richard almost killed him the last time, and that night, Richard still took the initiative to provoke him. Seeing the horrific scene, June felt a chill running down her spine.
However, Richard, the man rumored to be full of hostility, suddenly stopped his fist and let them take Tiffany away. It was all because of James’ words. “If you kill me, she will hate you.” June was shocked. At that moment, she suddenly felt that this rumored cold-hearted man was not that scary. At least to Tiffany, Richard was willing to place her at the top of his heart.
Chapter 208 Chapter 208 June continued, “Sir, what you’re doing is unfair to her! She’s a grown up. She’s no longer the innocent little girl from two years ago. You need to let her go and choose her path.” “You think so?” James chuckled. “Everything I do is for her sake.
“But…” June wanted to say more but was interrupted, “No more talking, mind your business.” After that, James turned around and left. Meanwhile, June had a stomach full of words. But in the end, she could only swallow them unwillingly.
Tiffany was hospitalized for three days. During that time, she had not taken any medicine. Other than the injection that kept her hydrated, she had not taken a single pill.
June frowned and advised repeatedly, “Miss, you won’t recover quickly if you don’t take your medicine.” “No, thanks.” It was precisely for that reason that Tifanny refused to take her medicine. If she recovered too quickly, she wouldn’t be able to remember the pain.
Tiffany laughed with a pale face. Lying on the big hospital bed, she looked like a lifeless doll. Seeing her state, June had no choice but to retreat.
In the afternoon, Zoe came to the hospital. She cried when she saw Tiffany. What happened that day had traumatized her. “Tiffany, I was scared to death!” “It’s okay.” Tiffany patted her back and comforted her.
When Tiffany woke, she learned that Zoe had fainted from the shock. Fortunately, she was fine. Otherwise, Tiffany would never forgive herself for the rest of her life.
“You got dragged because of me, I’m the one to blame,” Tiffany said guiltily.
“But Tiffany, what kind of quarrel did you get yourself into? Why is someone trying to kill you? Have you found out who’s behind this?” “No idea.” Tiffany shook her head. She had no time to investigate. When she woke up, Richard had taken her killers Tiffany did not know where he took them to. Since this was the case, there was no way she could ask. away.
When Zoe heard Tiffany’s answer, she seemed to remember something. “Unfortunately, I fainted that day and didn’t know anything. But I heard from Ged that Mr. Hampton saved all of us that day. Is that right?” “Yeah.” Tiffany nodded and asked, “By the way, is Ged alright?” She remembered Ged got kicked several feets away when he tried to attack the shooter. Thinking of this, she hoped he didn’t suffer a serious injury.
Zoe waved her hand. “He’s fine. His skin is thick and he can take a beating.” “That’s good to hear.” Tiffany was relieved.
After staying for more than two hours, Zoe left the hospital. Unknowingly, the sky had already turned dark.
The impact of Tiffany’s assassination attempt was massive. The school sealed the sudents’ mouths. No one was allowed to spread the news. Meanwhile, Tiffany’s injury was kept away from her family. They thought Tiffany did not go home because she was staying at her friend’s house.
After chasing away June, who insisted on accompanying her, Tiffany lay alone in the ward, bored. She could not help but recall when she was at the fire. To save Selena’s brother, she had injured her leg. After that, Richard accompanied her for several nights. But that night, he didn’t go to the hospital. Thinking of this, she felt terrible. Tiffany turned over and fell asleep in a daze. Her even breathing echoed in the ward.
Unbeknownst to her, a tall figure jumped in from the window after she fell asleep. He was familiar with the layout. It was obvious he had accompanied her for more than one night. However, Tiffany was unaware of his presence.
Richard stood in place quietly for a long time. Seeing Tiffany asleep, he wanted to reach out and touch her pale face a few times. However, thinking of what James said, he slowly retracted his hand.
James stood at Richard’s entrance and said he wanted to také Tiffany away, but Richard was unwilling. However, he had to admit that James’ words were true. Whoever Tiffany would end up with, that person would never be him. Therefore, there was no need to make things difficult for her.
At that moment, Richard let Tiffany go. Even though he had told himself countless times to let her go, his legs refused to listen as he arrived at the hospital. He thought staying by her side for a few consecutive nights was okay.
Richard’s eyes darkened. But at that moment, Tiffany suddenly moved. Hence, he left the ward in the blink of an eye.
Tiffany was a little thirsty. When she opened her eyes in a daze, she saw no one in the ward. ‘So I was just thinking things.’ She shook her head, not knowing what she was hoping for.
Tiffany asked the nurse to pour a glass of water. But after drinking it, she could not fall asleep. Her mind was filled with wild thoughts. So, Tiffany got up and asked the nurse for a crutch.
When June brought breakfast for Tiffany early in the morning, she saw that Tiffany’s bed was empty. She searched outside the ward but found no one.
When she called the nurse over to ask, she discovered that Tiffany had asked for a pair of crutches and left the hospital early that morning. No one knew where she had gone.
June was stunned before suddenly guessing something. ‘Could it be she went to Royal Bay?’ June knew Tiffany well. Early in the morning, Tiffany left the hospital alone. She took a taxi and went straight to Royal Bay Then, she stood at the entrance for ten minutes, waiting for someone to open the door. However, Richard avoided her. He refused to let her in.
The guard was in a difficult position. “Miss, Mr. Hampton said he doesn’t want to see any guests today, so… why don’t you call him first?” This was the result Tiffany had expected. She nodded and lowered her head, looking disappointed. “As expected, he’s avoiding me.” She muttered to herself.
After a long while, she raised her head and looked at one of the windows upstairs. A figure flashed before the French window. ‘Why is he avoiding me like this?’ Tiffany sighed and turned to leave.
Shortly after, she stopped a taxi and got in. She could only sit limply on the passenger seat.
The servant could not bear to see her leave. Tiffany had been to Royal Bay many times. Not only was she beautiful, but she also had a good personality. She would never look down on the servants. In his eyes, Tiffany was the perfect woman for Richard.
But seeing the current circumstances between Richard and Tiffany, the entire Royal Bay was speechless, including Richard himself. No one knew what kind of conflict the two of them had. They were clearly on good terms before. The servant could only sigh.
Upstairs, John stood beside Richard and looked at the taxi. Even though he had been warned not to say anything, he still probed. “Sir, why don’t I send Miss Kelley off? Her leg is injured, and it’s inconvenient for her to walk.” After a pause, he added, “Otherwise, if word gets out, it won’t be good for Royal Bay’s reputation.” The room was silent for a while. Only then did Richard reply faintly, “Alright.” Richard agreed. John was overjoyed and immediately went downstairs to take the car.
As he went downstairs, he couldn’t help but think, ‘Since when did Royal Bay ever care about their reputation?’ He was only making up a lousy excuse. But at least it worked.
Since Richard had given John the green light, he thought this might be a good opportunity to help the couple reconcile. Otherwise, he would be anxious just by looking at their tension.
Chapter 209 Chapter 209 The taxi was about to drive away when a car suddenly came from behind. Tiffany turned around and saw that it was one of Richard’s subordinates. John got out of the car and knocked on her door. “Miss Kelley.” “You?” Tiffany subconsciously looked into John’s car, hoping to see a certain someone in there.
Meanwhile, John explained, “I was ordered to send you back.” “I see, thank you.” She opened the door, and Tiffany carefully got into John’s car with his help.
The wound on her leg was still hurting. She did not take any painkillers or medicines, so her wound was recovering sluggishly. Therefore, she was no different from an ordinary person.
After Tiffany got into the car, John put the two crutches away. He wanted to send her home, but Tiffany said, “Send me back to school.” “Okay.” John had no objections.
Soon, the black car disappeared into the morning mist. Richard hid behind the thin bay window. He watched as John helped Tiffany enter his sedan. Richard only turned around when Tiffany and John were out of sight. His picturesque eyes were cold and lifeless. There was no warmth to speak of.
Seeing Richard’s state, the other servants looked at each other and quietly left. No one dared to disturb him at that time.
At that moment, soothing music was playing in the car. Tiffany looked at the scenery outside and heard John say, “Miss Kelley, actually…” He wanted to say something but hesitated. Seeing this, Tiffany was curious. She could not help but tease, “Are you trying to say Mr. Hampton is a straightforward person? He looks unreasonable but gentle?” John had said before, so Tiffany already knew. He nodded and replied frankly, “Yes, just like I send Miss Kelley home right now, it was Mr. Hampton’s order.” He tried to make it sound as nice as possible because he tried to break the ice between them.
Tiffany smiled without saying anything. Based on her understanding of Richard, he would never order his men to do such a thing. At most, they would only help her walk down the stairs.
After thinking briefly, Tiffany remembered something and asked, “Anyway, how are the assassins?” Since Richard had taken those people away, she believed he would investigate the person behind her assassination attempt. Even if it wasn’t for her, he had to do it for Kenneth’s safety.
John replied, “We’ve managed to dig some clues. Those assassins weren’t from Lovell City, so we can’t find the person behind them yet. However, there’s one thing we can be sure of.” “What?” “The mastermind is very well hidden, and… thier background can’t be underestimated.” Hearing this, Tiffany was stunned. She didn’t feel like she had offended an influential figure. She thought Sandra hired them. If not, the Booth or the Lee Family might hire them.
But when Tiffany thought about it again, she felt something was off. After all, the Booth family was not rich or powerful. It was difficult to find an assassin of that level. This was not something that could be settled with money alone.
On the other hand, the Lee Family was in shambles. The property that Conner had painstakingly built was sold. He was tricked and the land was taken from him. He had to face an astronomical penalty. They had no time of resources to hire such expert assassins. It was already good enough that Conner could hold on and not go bankrupt, Tiffany thought for a moment and a person suddenly appeared in her mind. She immediately asked, “John, is the mastermind you mentioned from Traron?” The only people who could hate her so deeply were probably the Ashton Family, one of the four prominent families in Traron City. She had taught their daughter a lesson several times, so it made sense that they wanted to stand up for her.
However, John shook his head. “I’ve checked. It’s not them.” “What?” Tiffany leaned back in her seat with a frown. “If it’s not them, it must be one of the other three prominent families.” She had followed Philip to Traron City before, so the news of her taking over Whispering Winds would more or less be spread. In that case, there were indeed many people who wanted to kill her Seeing Tiffany manage to guess so quickly, John praised, “Miss Kelley, you’re as sharp as I thought.” After a pause, he did not forget to bring Richard into the conversation. “Miss Kelley, don’t you worry. With Mr. Hampton around, this assassination attempt won’t happen again.” Hearing his words, Tiffany smiled. “Then thank him for me when you get back.” “Will do.” Soon, the car stopped in front of the school. Tiffany got out of the car and turned around. “Thank you, John.” After that, she turned to the school.
Many were passing by, and it was not strange to see Tiffany getting out of the car. However, she got out of the Hampton Family’s car. In an instant, discussions broke out. “Hey, look at the license plate number. It looks familiar.” “That’s right. That is the Hampton family’s car. Did you see that? That unique logo on the side can’t be wrong!” “Tiffany got out of the Hampton family’s car. Wha
Chapter 210 Chapter 210 ‘Being friends. At the very least, they were not enemies. They could ask about each other’s well-being whenever they meet. At the very least, they would not need to throw shades whenever they meet.
On the day of the accident a few days ago, when Kenneth saw Tiffany sink into the water as her blood dyed the water’s surface, he thought she had a slim chance of survival and that she had gone. At that moment, he felt an indescribable guilt in his heart.
Kenneth ignored his hatred as his guilt spread all over his body, and he almost got crazy. Then, he saw Tiffany come out of the water and still have the strength to throw a knife at her assassin. At that moment, he heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she was fine.
Later on, when Tiffany was strangled and almost suffocated, Kenneth knew he was no match for the shooter. However, he still rushed forward. His rationality shut down. There was only one thought, ‘I won’t let her die!’ Kenneth thought about his actions and realized he never hated Tiffany as much as he had imagined. Hence, being friends was not a bad idea.
Tiffany was stunned when she heard this. ‘Did he bump his head on the way here?’ Seeing Tiffany throw a suspicious gaze, Kenneth repeated, “Let’s be friends.” “Friends?” Looking at his serious expression, Tiffany suddenly smiled. She had known him for as long as she could remember but never felt he was this naive. “Haha…” Tiffany thought Kenneth was joking. She laughed until her stomach hurt. Then, she looked up at the face she wanted to punch before her.
A long time ago, after Tiffany was released from prison as a scapegoat, she went to Kenneth to fulfill her promise. She asked, “I’ve done everything you asked me to do. Now, can you marry me?” Tiffany was filled with anticipation. Even though she had suffered countless tortures in those five years, the moment she saw him, she felt bitter and sweet. She had never complained.
But what crushed her was not those five years. Instead, it was his words that pierced into her heart. Kenneth looked down at her indifferently and said coldly, “What makes you worthy of me?” ‘What makes you worthy of me? What does he mean? Am I not worthy?’ Tiffany pulled her mind back to the present. She raised her head and her smile gradually disappeared. “I’m not worthy. What right do I have to be friends with Mr. Harper?” As she spoke, a cold glint appeared in her eyes.
Just a second ago, the two of them could talk calmly. But the tension had returned, and it was even worse than before. Kenneth did not understand. “What do you mean?” He did not know why Tiffany was so hostile to him. Perhaps ‘Hate’ was best described it.
Kenneth opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but Tiffany pushed the breakfast away. “Thank you, but there’s no need. Take it away.” Coincidentally, Zoe had returned.
Kenneth took the bag on the table and was about to throw it into the trash can when he heard a surprised voice from the door. “Eh, is that for me?” Melody appeared at the door with an innocent smile. “That’s great. I haven’t had breakfast yet!” As she spoke, Melody took the breakfast and thanked Kenneth sweetly. “Thank you, Kenneth. I love cream soup!” Kenneth was embarrassed. Before he could say anything, Melody had opened the lid and started eating.
Zoe clicked her tongue a few times. She touched her arm and murmured, “Why do I feel cold in summer? My hair is standing on end!” Tiffany burst into laughter when she heard that. She buried her head and finished the breakfast Zoe bought.
After two classes, Tiffany couldn’t sit still. She applied for leave and returned to the dormitory. It was still the same as before, but Sandra had already left. Her room and Kenneth’s were facing each other. However, Kenneth did not live in the dormitory. He would only come occasionally for a nap during his lunch break.
Tiffany opened her bedroom door and walked in. Even though she left for several days, her room remained spotless. She carefully moved to her bed and lay down. Tiffany yawned and prepared to take an afternoon nap. However, just as she fell asleep, her phone rang.
It was Oliver. He went straight to the point. “Miss Kelley, didn’t you ask me to introduce a few people to you last time? Coincidentally, I have a friend who’s very interested in your script. Do you have time to meet him?” “Okay, tonight it is,” She casually told him the time and hung up.
When Tiffany woke up, she felt refreshed. Before she left, she checked his wound. Unexpectedly, even though she did not take any medicine, her body’s recovery speed was even faster than taking medicine.
‘What’s going on? Has my vitality increased?’ Tiffany could not figure it out. Regardless, it was a good thing. At this rate, she could walk in two days without using a walking stick.
After tidying up, Tiffany opened the door and went out. She happened to see Melody in the hall, coming out of Kenneth’s room. Their eyes unexpectedly met.
Tiffany was as calm as usual. She went straight downstairs as if she saw nothing. However, Melody chased after her. Her face was quite awkward. “I’m not feeling well, so I’m borrowing his room to rest.” “Oh,” Tiffany replied flatly. Even if they slept on the same bed, she had no objections. “There’s no need to explain. It has nothing to do with me. Whatever you do is your business.” After that, Tiffany turned around and continued downstairs. But as she stepped down, she sensed something was wrong. She looked down and saw a layer of oil on the ground. She wanted to retreat, but it was too late. The moment she stepped, her feet slipped.
Her body immediately felt light. Tiffany’s heart skipped a beat. She was about to fall down the stairs. She immediately reached out and grabbed the stairs’ handrail tightly. Fortunately, she reacted in time and managed to stabilize herself.
Seeing something had happened to Tiffany, Melody rushed over anxiously and shouted, “Be careful!” As she spoke, she reached out to grab her. However, she misstepped and slipped on the oil. She fell down the stairs.
‘What on earth?’ Tiffany was stunned.
A figure rushed in from outside the dormitory. Kenneth picked up Melody, whose forehead was bleeding. His face was filled with worry and anxiousness. At the same time, he looked at Tiffany questioningly and asked with a stiff face, “Did you push her?” “Damn it!” It was the face Tiffany hated. She smiled lazily. “Yes, I pushed her.” As she spoke, she slowly walked downstairs. Meanwhile, Kenneth was trembling with anger. What he hated the most was Tiffany’s attitude. She had always been indifferent and heartless.
Kenneth picked up Melody and prepared to send her to the infirmary. However, Melody forced her eyes open and grabbed.; his arm. She said weakly, “Kenneth, you’ve misunderstood. Tiffany almost fell. I reached out to pull her up, but the stairs were too slippery and accidentally fell. What happened to me has nothing to do with her.” She forced herself to explain and fainted in his arms.
Kenneth’s frown deepened. He seemed to have misunderstood Tiffany again. “If you didn’t push her, why did you say so?” Kenneth looked at Tiffany and asked, “Is it that difficult to explain?” “It’s not difficult.” Tiffany left,straight away. “But it depends on who I’m explaining it to.” No matter how detailed Tiffany explained, some people would not believe her. However, some people trusted her even though she did not say anything. That was her point.
When she reached the door, Tiffany suddenly turned around and smiled. “You asked me if we could be friends. Well, I think you know my answer.”