Ch. 41..50

Chapter 41

Tiffany’s words turned out to be spot-on, yet her brow furrowed even deeper instead of feeling relieved.

Sidney has arrived before us. And now the mountain is collapsing completely. He must be in danger, Tiffany thought

Tiffany remembered, in her previous life, that Sidney could have been saved, but he was trapped and died in his car because the rescue arrived too late. Now, even though the disaster had struck, there was still a chance to save him.

Then Tiffany said, “Don’t worry. If we start the search now, there’s still time.”

But before Richard could respond, he reached out and ruffled Tany’s hair suddenly, a faint smile touching his lips as he asked, “Are you worried about me?”

Tiffany froze for a moment.

Tiffany wanted to prevent this tragedy, partly because she didn’t want to see someone as skilled as Sidney die, and partly to repay Richard for his help. But to say she was worried about Richard? That wasn’t true.

While Tiffany hesitated over how to answer without offending him, Richard shifted the conversation himself. He said, “Come on, let’s go check it out.”

Soon, they both got out of the car, heading toward the blocked-off area, one following the other.

The landslide had struck so suddenly that it buried everything before anyone could react. The heavy rain and thunderstorms had also caused power outages, making it nearly impossible to get a signal in the area.

Meanwhile, the blockade had been set up by an elderly local, Jackson, to stop other vehicles or pedestrians from heading any further.

As Richard and Tillany approached, Jackson stepped forward to stop them quickly. “It’s dangerous ahead. You folks should turn back now.”

“Sir, how big is the area affected by the landslide?” Tiffany asked, holding her umbrella. “Our friend drove ahead and we haven’t been able to reach him. We’re really worried.”

“It’s hard to say, but there are still rocks falling from the mountain. If anyone’s caught in that, well, it doesn’t look good.” Jackson sighed. “I just hope the rescue teams get here soon. Maybe they can save a few more people if they hurry”

“They’re almost here, Tiffany replied.

Earlier, while Richard and Tiffany were still on the road, he had already called in the rescue teams, just in case. Judging by the time, they should be arriving any minute.

Sure enough, as soon as Tiffany finished speaking, the sound of helicopters echoed through the sky.

The rescue teams had arrived.

In an instant, six helicopters roared overhead, heading straight for the most devastated part of the landslide, deploying rescuers by rope.

Just ten minutes later, several fire trucks arrived on the scene. With such an intense rescue effort underway, the news was bound to come soon.

Tiffany watched from a distance, feeling a bit of relief finally.

The wind and rain were relentless, and the few streetlights on the narrow road had been knocked over by the storm, lying smashed on the ground. Tiffany sneezed, shivering slightly from the cold..

The next moment, a suit jacket was draped over Tiffany’s shoulders, carrying a faint, fresh scent of mint and the warmth of his body.

Then Tiffany looked up and smiled softly. “Thanks”

Let’s wait in the ear,” Richard said, and without waiting for a reply, he took her hand and led her back to the vehicle.

The waiting was always interminable. Tiffany leaned back in her seat, listening to the rain patter on the car, and the drowsiness crept over her until she dozed off.

She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but a sudden clap of thunder jolted Tiffany awake. Then she sat up abruptly, only to feel something cool brush against her lips,

Tiffany blinked, still groggy, and found herself inches away from Richard’s face. He was leaning over her, tucking a blanket around her, and it seemed that in her sudden movement, she’d grazed his ear.

Tiffany’s mind went blank. “Oh no, I’m in trouble! Is he going to throw me out of the car because of his germaphobia?

Both of them froze, their eyes locking, as the atmosphere in the car became charged suddenly. But before any awkward tension could build, someone began pounding on the car window.

“Mr. Hampton!” A man in a rescue uniform called out urgently, his face drenched with rain.

Tiffany snapped back to reality and shrank back into her seat quickly.

Richard rolled down the window, his voice as calm as ever. “What’s going on?”

“We found something!” Theo, the rescuer, wiped the rain from his face and said, “We just discovered a sports car buried underground. It matches Mr. Pauley’s, but he wasn’t inside. He must have escaped.”

It was a relief to hear.

Richard nodded and said, “Expand the search area. Keep looking”

“Yes, sir!” Theo replied, then hurried back to the rescue operation.

As the window closed, Richard started the car and drove down a narrow side road.

Tiffany asked, “Where are we going?”

“Finding a place to stay. We might not make it back tonight,” Richard replied.

With the storm raging outside, driving on the highway wasn’t safe. Trees and streetlights had been knocked down by the wind, leaving the roadways in chaos. Even if they wanted to leave tonight, it wouldn’t be possible.

Besides, both Richard and Tiffany needed to stay nearby for any updates.

Noticing her distracted look, Richard sighed softly. “I didn’t expect the weather to turn so suddenly. Otherwise, I would’ve arranged for someone to take you home.”

“It’s okay,” Tiffany said casually. “Rescuing people is more important.”

They continued talking about trivial things, both avoiding any mention of the accidental kiss earlier deliberately. After driving for several minutes, they finally decided to stay with a warm-hearted elderly couple.

The couple were still active farmers, despite their age. They welcomed Tiffany and Richard into their home, offering them a place to stay.

Soon, night falls. It turned out they’d have to spend the night there

After a delicious homemade meal, Olivia, with a kind smile, prepared a room for them. And she said, “Sorry, there aren’t usually many guests, so the room is a bit simple. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” Tiffany replied sweetly. “Thank you for the hospitality

“And the power might not come back on for a while. I’ve put some extra candles in your room, so if you need to get up during the night, you can use them,” Olivia said cheerfully before leading them to the room.

When Tiffany saw the room, she froze. Olivia’s house only had one spare room available, which meant she and Richard would have to share it tonight.

Tiffany stood there, flustered, as Olivia gave them a warm smile. “You two rest up, alright? I’m heading to bed now.”

“You two?” Tiffany thought. Then she opened her mouth to explain, but Olivia had already left.

The door closed, and Tiffany looked at Richard, who seemed even taller and more handsome in the candlelight. She scratched her head and hesitated before saying, “Maybe I should sleep outside?”

Richard glanced at Tiffany and then asked, “Are you worried about being in the same room with me? Scared you might take advantage of me in the middle of the night?”

Tiffany shook her head quickly and replied, “No.”

“That’s good.” Richard sat down on the bed, totally at ease, and said, “Then let’s sleep.

Chapter 42

With that. Richard climbed into bed and left the other half for any.

Seeing Tiffany’s stunned look, Richard propped his head up on one hand, his deep, dark eyes hiding a playful smile. Then he said. “Get in bed.”

Is he serious?’ Tiffany was flustered.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Tiffany said. The red candle in her hand trembled slightly, a clear sign that her inner turmoil was at its peak.

Why is it that Richard, who is usually as aloof as a deity in front of others, acts so out of character with me? It’s like he’s constantly breaking his high and mighty facade in front of me.

“Who would believe this if it got out? Tiffany thought and felt like crying

After thinking for a moment, Tiffany decided to make a run for it. Then she said goodnight quickly and tried to leave the

But due to the power outage and the lack of light, the candle went out with a whoosh as she moved. Tiffany was plunged into darkness instantly, unable to find the door. Now, she was stuck, unable to move forward or back.

Tiffany screamed to herself, ‘Oh my God! I’m freaking out! D**n!”

Then a soft laugh came from behind her. Candlelight flickered back on. Tiffany turned around to see Richard setting up a makeshift bed on the floor.

Seeing Tiffany’s flushed face, Richard teased. “Don’t worry, I won’t give you a chance to take advantage of me.”

‘Of course, I also won’t necessarily fight it if you do. This thought crossed Richard’s mind but remained unspoken.

Tiffany laughed in frustration. His teasing had made the awkwardness of sharing the room disappear completely. Then she answered, “Don’t worry, I’ll stay perfectly still.”

“Oh, that’s a pity.” Richard sighed lightly, his lips curling into a smile that never faded.

Tiffany didn’t understand what he meant by “pity” but didn’t dare ask. She was afraid Richard would say something even more provocative.

Soon, Tiffany took off her shoes and lay on the bed, pulling the slightly musty blanket over her.

This situation feels like a dream. Somehow, I have ended up sharing a room with Richard. If this gets out, it’ll surely make everyone’s jaws drop, Tiffany thought and turned her head to peek down.

The candlelight, though faint, revealed Richard’s flawlessly handsome face. His dark, deep eyes were closed, and his long eyelashes cast shadows on his eyelids

At that time, Richard looked even more enchanting, with a rare gentleness replacing his usual coldness and severity. This face was captivating no matter when or where.

While Tiffany was lost in admiration, Richard opened his eyes suddenly. In the dim candlelight, their gazes met unexpectedly.

Tiffany froze, feeling her face heat up under the intense, slightly flirtatious look in Richard’s eyes.

‘Caught in the act of admiring his looks. Is there anything more embarrassing? Tiffany thought. Then she closed her eyes quickly, pretending to be asleep.

In the small, simple room, a different kind of atmosphere settled in.

Richard watched Tiffany pretending to be asleep for a while, a faint smile crossing his deep-set eyes. She’s not being very sneaky, he thought.

The next morning, the sun shone brightly. And the storm had finally passed, leaving behind toppled trees and debris from flying sand and rocks.

Meanwhile. Tiffany and Richard prepared to leave. Before they went, Tiffany noticed Richard left a small stack of cash on the table.

Sitting in the car. Tiffany yawned several times. She had tossed and turned all night and only drifted off in the early hours, The hard bed made for an uncomfortable sleep, but she had to make do.

The fact that Richard stayed with her was completely unexpected. Tiffany thought someone of his high status would be picky and fastidious.

But Richard showed no sign of the usual arrogance of a wealthy man. Even in a simple rural setting, he remained composed and unbothered.

Such a charming man was hard to look away from.

Tiffany asked casually, “Does your back hurt?”

Richard had given up the bed for her and slept on the floor. With the rain, the floor was damp, so he must have had an uncomfortable night.

Richard glanced at Tiffany, raising an eyebrow, and replied with bidden meaning. “No, it doesn’t hurt. I’m strong and fit.”

Tiffany was speechless. Somewhere along the way, the conversation took a turn. Tiffany blushed and didn’t dare continue the topic.

Once they arrived back at the previously blocked-off area, the search continued. Theo reported that they had rescued three cars from the collapsed area, with a total of five people saved.

Thanks to timely medical attention, the seriously injured were in a coma, while the others, despite various injuries, were not in danger of death. However, Sidney had still not been found.

At around 9:30 a.m., thick smoke billowed from a nearby area suddenly, indicating a fire.

Richard took one look and said decisively, “Let’s check it out.”

Tiffany followed quickly. She asked, “Do you think that could be a signal from Sidney?”

“Definitely.” Richard turned his head and, halfway through, reached out to Tiffany suddenly. “Come with me.”

The path they took was muddy from the storm, and although Tiffany could keep up, the uneven terrain made it easy to stumble.

Not one to be picky, Tiffany took Richard’s hand without hesitation. With his help, the walk became much easier.

When they got closer, they saw that the smoke was coming from an abandoned small building that was on fire.

Not far from the building, two people lay on the ground. They were Sidney, whom they had been searching for all day, and

Zoe..

“Zoe? What are you doing here?” Tiffany asked. She was super shocked when she recognized Zoe

Since the last time Tiffany-rescued Zoe, she had been busy dealing with the Olson family and had completely forgotten about the cute girl. To encounter her again under these circumstances was a surprise.

As Tiffany was processing her shock, she had a vague thought.

‘Sidney’s safety this time is largely due to me. And because of my previous rescue of Zoe, the original trajectory has subtly changed, Tiffany thought.

When Zoe saw Tiffany, her eyes lit up with excitement. “Wow, Tillany! It’s you again. You saved me. I’m so touched.”

Before she could finish, Sidney, lying nearby, rolled his eyes and said, “Come on, be honest. I’m the one who saved you.

It’s me!”

Chapter 43

The rain was relentless. Sidney and Zoe had taken shelter in an abandoned small building. With no way to leave due to the storm, they huddled around a fire for warmth and slept through the night, cold and hungry

Hours later, they woke to find it was dark and they were both running high fevers. But they were both exhausted and without any medication.

Fortunately, Sidney, known for his medical prowess, braved the rain to gather some herbs. He even caught a fish that had jumped onto the shore due to the weather, which he grilled to provide them with something to eat.

After surviving the night, Sidney figured the news about the landslide would have reached Lovell City by now. He assumed. Richard would come to their rescue, so he set the small building on fire to signal for help.

True to his expectation, Richard arrived.

“Come on, Richard! Help me up.” Sidney grinned widely, showing off his charming smile, and waved his hand theatrically towards Richard.

‘Mr. Pauley is so delicate! Tiffany shuddered at the sight. Sidney’s dramatic display was almost too much to handle.

Richard’s face darkened instantly. “Hmm?” His simple sound was laced with danger.

“I’m sorry.” Sidney corrected himself quickly and added, “I really don’t have the strength to get up. If you don’t help me, I’ll have to crawl back.”

“Crawling back wouldn’t be so bad. It saved on gas,” Richard replied with a scowl.

Despite his words, a helicopter, arranged by Richard, soon flew in. The helicopter landed and a team lifted Sidney and Zoe onto stretchers carefully. Meanwhile, Tiffany and Richard joined them on the helicopter.

The flight back to the city was long, but flying was the fastest option. During the journey. Sidney and Zoe started bickering again.

“Do all girls act so unreasonable? I saved you, and you’re still glaring at me?” Sidney complained.

“Give me a break. It was Tiffany who saved me, not you. And besides, I haven’t even settled the score from yesterday,” Zoe retorted, her pale face flushing red.

Tiffany, curious, asked, “What’s this score about?”

Zoe chose to stay silent, and Sidney also kept quiet. Clearly, it was a secret, one that was best kept from others. So Tiffany smiled thoughtfully.

Halfway through the flight, Sidney and Zoe took their medication and fell asleep. Tiffany gazed out at the The landscape was breathtaking-vast valleys, rolling hills, and winding rivers scenery below,

Lost in thought, Tiffany felt a weight on her shoulder. Turning, she saw Richard resting his head on her shoulder, breathing lightly and with his eyes closed, clearly asleep.

The other rescue team members in the helicopter were visibly surprised by the sight but tried not to show it too obviously. sneaking glances at Tiffany.

Initially. Tiffany thought of nudging Richard away but remembered how he had given up the bed for her the previous night. sleeping on the cold, hard floor Sofiening, she decided to let him stay.

Therefore, Tiffany remained still for over half an hour until the helicopter landed. By the time Richard woke up, Tiffany’s neck was still.

Richard looked surprised. He was usually very alert and slept lightly. However, resting his head on Tiffany’s shoulder and inhaling her subtle fragrance provided him with an unusually good rest.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” Richard asked, noticing Tiffany’s discomfort and lightly patting her back.

Tiffany muttered, “It’s the least I could do.”

Richard’s strong hands provided a unique comfort, and after just a few pats, Tiffany felt much better.

The helicopter landed on the rooftop of the Kelley family’s hospital. Tiffany jumped out first and turned to Richard, saying, “I’m heading out now.”

As Tiffany prepared to leave, she saw Zoe, looking at her tearfully with a face full of reluctance. Tiffany, will I see you again!”

Tiffany, smiling, gave Zoe her contact information. “You stay put and get well. I’ll come visit you tomorrow,”

Hearing this, Zoe brightened instantly. Then she replied, “Okay!

After leaving the hospital, Tiffany took a cab home. She had been missing all night and had no signal due to a power outage. Finally back, she found her phone dead.

Not wanting to worry her family. Tiffany borrowed the driver’s phone to call home. Her mother, Thalia, answered, her voice trembling and tearful.

“Is there any news?” Thalia asked, her voice filled with panic.

Tiffany’s heart sank. She said quickly. “Mom, is something wrong at home?”

Hearing Tiffany’s familiar voice, Thalia was momentarily stunned before bursting into tears. “Darling, your father had an accident.

“What?” Tiffany’s face went pale.

Ten minutes later, Tiffany rushed through the front door, finding Thalia looking ten years older in an instant. Her usual elegance was replaced by tear-streaked cheeks and a trembling body.

“Mom, what happened?” Tiffany asked, though she was worried, she remained composed.

Thalia, still crying, explained everything. This morning, Charlie had gone on a business trip, as usual, driven by the family chauffeur. However, their vehicle overturned on the road and fell into the river.

When Thalia received the news, she was devastated. With the location being unclear, her attempts to contact rescue teams yielded little hope. Desperate and frantic, Thalia had been calling for help until Tiffany’s return.

“What do we do?” Thalia said, trembling.

“When did this happen?” Tiffany asked.

“About half an hour ago, Thalia replied.

Hearing this, Tiffany was more worried. Falling into a river for half an hour meant the chances of survival were slim. It was likely her father was dead.

No! Tiffany’s eyes flashed with determination. She comforted Thalia. “Mom, Dad will be fine. Leave it to me. I’ll handle it.” As Tiffany prepared to head out, they heard a joyful shout from outside. “Mr. Kelley is back! He’s back!” Tiffany and Thalia exchanged a glance and rushed outside. Charlie was drenched but safe and unharmed.

Thalia rushed to hug him, sobbing. “Do you know how freaking worried this makes me?”

“Don’t worry!” Charlie laughed heartily at Thalia’s embrace and patted her back reassuringly. “I’m fine. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”

Tiffany sighed in relief. As she was about to thank the person who had brought Charlie back, she realized it was Kenneth.

 

Chapter 44

“What the hell? How could it be him?’ Tiffany thought, her frown conveying her detachment and disdain.

“Since Mr. Kelley is fine, I’ll go first, Goodbye, Kenneth said. Then he glanced at Tiffany, nodding respectfully to Charlie and Thalia before turning to leave.

But Charlie grabbed Kenneth’s a** and said, “Kenneth, don’t rush off.”

Turning back to Tiffany and Thalia, Charlie said, Tm fine today thanks to Kenneth. He happened to be passing by, saw the car go into the river, and called for help immediately. They managed to get me out, and only then did they realize it was

me

Such a dangerous situation seemed trivial when summed up in a few words, but the true peril of it made one shudder at the thought.

If Charlie and Thalia had any lingering doubts about Kenneth, they were now overshadowed by overwhelming gratitude completely.

“Thank you, Kenneth. We’re so grateful you were there; otherwise, I don’t know how we would have faced this,” Thalia said through her tears.

Kenneth helped her up quickly and said, “Mrs. Kelley, no worries. I’d have helped anyone in that situation. I just expect it would be Mr. Kelley.”

didn’t

Hearing that, Thalia nodded. She thought, ‘It’s a pity that such a righteous person, despite being formally my son-in-law could never truly become one!

With the Kelley couple’s insistence, Kenneth was shown to a guest room to shower and change. It wouldn’t be right to let him leave in such a state after saving Charlie, it would seem heartless.”

News of Charlie’s accident and miraculous rescue spread quickly. The first to hear was Sandra.

While undergoing a follow-up check at the hospital, Sandra stepped away from others to call Stan, fuming.

“I gave you the perfect setup and everything was in our favor. And you mess it up? How can you even call yourself my father?” Sandra yelled, her rage palpable.

With Tiffany missing the night before, it was a golden opportunity, given that only the easily manipulated Thalia was at home.

So Sandra had left her room in the middle of the night quietly, tampered with the brakes of Charlie’s usual car, and arranged for Stan to create a traffic jam on that road.

With the brakes failing and the car losing control, it would be a perfect plan for an accident.

Everything went as planned. Charlie and the car went straight into the river just like expected.

But Sandra’s meticulous plan failed when Kenneth happened to pass by, called for help urgently, and even jumped into the water to rescue Charlie.

Such a flawless plan had fallen apart.

Fuming, Sandra continued, “Do you know the risk I took? If they start suspecting me, it’s all over.”

Stan, frustrated on the other end of the line, said, “I don’t know if Kenneth would get involved. If it weren’t for him, 1 wouldn’t have messed up.”

“Well, it’s too late to worry about that now. I’m too annoyed to deal with this,” Sandra said, hanging up.

Sandra glanced at her reflection in the mirror and then at her bag. Inside were the medicines Stan had procured for her. These medicines would determine whether she could become Kenneth’s wife successfully.

The failed attempt on Charlie’s life meant she wouldn’t tolerate any more failures.

Kenneth came downstairs after showering and changing into fresh clothes. The living room had only Tiffany, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.

Then Kenneth took a seat on the sofa, his gaze inevitably landing on Tiffany.

Previously, Tiffany’s eyes had been full of love and dependence for him, along with the sweet “Kenneth” she used to say.

But now, Tiffany barely acknowledged him, showing only irritation and disdain.

When neither of them spoke, a servant approached, asking with a smile, “Mr. Harper, would you like something to drink? What can I do for you?”

To the unklowing servants, serving him carefully was not inappropriate, given his engagement to Tiffany:

But Tiffany corrected immediately, “You don’t have to do this. He is just Mr. Harper, not Mr. Kelley.” Her tone brooked no argument.

The servant froze and nodded. “Yes, Ms. Kelley”

Kenneth stood up. “No need. Please tell Charlie I’m leaving.”

“Mr. Harper, won’t you stay for a meal?” the servant asked.

“No, thanks,” Kenneth replied. He left the villa, and the sound of the car engine signaled his departure.

Tiffany remained seated on the sofa, offering no farewell or thanks. They were adversaries, and saying thanks would have been too ironic.

Coincidentally, just minutes after Kenneth left, Sandra returned from the hospital.

Sandra rushed into the villa, her face full of concern. “I heard Uncle Charlie had an accident. What happened? Is he okay?” “What a devoted niece! Tiffany thought. She had been waiting for Sandra, and at that moment, she delivered a sharp slap to Sandra’s face.

The servant’s eyes widened at the sudden outburst. They thought. What’s wrong with Ms. Kelley?”

Sympathy for the tear-streaked Sandra was inevitable. And Life under someone else’s roof could be tough.

Tiffany didn’t care about others’ opinions. She grabbed Sandra by the neck, her eyes fierce as a predator. That accident was your doing, wasn’t it? You have some nerve!”

Tiffany’s family was her red line. Anyone who crossed it deserved to face her wrath.

“Tiffany, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” Sandra choked out, her face reddening as she struggled for breath

“I know you don’t like me, but you can’t just bully me like this,” Sandra continued. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she tried to look pitiful.

“Don’t

Understand?” Tillany’s smile was sinister, her eyes cold as ice.

“I’m saying, it’s time for you to die.” Tiffany’s voice was soft, like whisper from a demon, filled with chilling menace.

Sandra shuddered. She even wondered if Tiffany was crazy enough to kill her right then and there.

In the next second, Tiffany’s grip tightened on her neck.

Chapter 45

Sandra flailed her arms, struggling desperately. But Tiffany’s strength was astonishing; it was futile no matter how hard she fought.

The nearby servants watched in horror, their hearts pounding wildly. They thought, ‘Is Ms. Kelley losing her mind? If she doesn’t let go, Ms. Olson may get killed.

Tiffany wasn’t losing her mind. And she just was filled with a vicious hatred for Sandra at that moment.

In her previous life, it was Sandra who had ordered her bones to be crushed, one by one, and then thrown into a swamp while she clung to her last breath.

The pain was so vivid that Tiffany could still remember it all too clearly. She wanted to grind Sandra’s bones.

But Tiffany wasn’t going to ruin her life for such a wretched woman. There were many ways to destroy someone; she didn’t need to choose the most extreme.

Just as Sandra began to go limp from lack of oxygen, Tiffany finally released her grip.

Instead of throwing out a threat, Tiffany helped Sandra up gently, frowning with concern. “Oh no, Sandra, are you alright? How do you manage to fall while just standing?”

Sandra was so stunned by Tiffany’s sudden change. Is she crazy? One second she wants to kill me, and the next she’s fussing over me?” Sandra thought and had a bad feeling about this.

Sure enough, Charlie and Thalia walked over, having arrived unnoticed.

Meanwhile, Tiffany looked guilty as she spoke. “It’s all my fault. Sandra’s almost recovered from her injuries, and I tried to help her, but ended up tripping her foolishly.”

Sandra was so furious she gasped. ‘When has Tiffany ever tried to help me? She had clearly just tried to strangle me, she thought.

Pointing at the red marks on her neck, Sandra couldn’t believe itas she said, “Talk is cheap, show them the evidence. And you actually want to…”

“What? Want to bully you? Or kill you?” Tiffany cut her off, her voice filled with grievance as she threw Sandra’s own words back at her, leaving her speechless.

“I know you don’t like me, but you don’t have to take advantage of my good nature to pick on me,” Tiffany said.

Who’s really bullying who here? Sandra thought.

Sandra’s eyes turned red with rage. She had just walked through the door and already taken a slap to the face, nearly strangled, and now Tiffany was acting like the victim.

And then, Charlie said, “Sandra, I’ve been neglecting Tiffany since you got injured. Cut Tiffany some slack, will you?”

At that moment, Sandra truly understood what it felt like to be utterly helpless and desperate. Tears streamed down her face, this time because she was genuinely too angry to hold back

However, Tiffany-let out a soft laugh, lowering her voice as she said, “Doesn’t this feel familiar? This is your usual trick, isn’t it?”

Playing the victim, the delicate act, always crying like she was enduring some great injustice-Sandra was certainly good at eliciting sympathy from the men around her and winning over the people nearby.

But Sandra had forgotten one thing: Tiffany wasn’t incapable of acting, she just never stooped to it. But if she decided to play along, she could outshine Sandra effortlessly, like right now

“Don’t look at me like that, Tiffany said, her eyes sparkling as she continued in a whisper only Sandra could hear. “Are you mad? I’m just putting on an act, but I still look better doing it.”

Tiffany’s beauty was always flawless. Her smug comment didn’t come off as arrogant but rather as a charming, spirited tease.

But Sandra couldn’t stand it. Seeing Tiffany’s captivating, mesmerizing face, she lunged, snarling. “I’ll tear that face of yours apart and see how you flaunt it then.

At that time, Thalia stepped in, pulling Tiffany away and slapping Sandra hard across the face. ‘How dare she threaten my daughter right in front of me? Who could tolerate that? Thalia thought.

Thalia was furious and said, “Sandra! I thought you were sensible, but how could you be so vile? You tried to ruin my daughter’s face right in front of me?”

Charlie, too, was shocked. In his eyes, Sandra had always been gentle and sweet; he never expected her to act so viciously! It was truly unforgivable!

As the slap brought her to her senses, Sandra realized she had lost control and lashed out.

Then she tried to explain quickly, “Uncle, Aunt, I didn’t mean it. I just lost my mind for a moment. I wasn’t trying to hurt Tiffany!

Under normal circumstances, they might have believed her, but they had both witnessed the scene just moments before.

Thalia sneered and said, “You’re jealous because my daughter is prettier than you.”

“It’s not like that, Aunt Thalia, believe me,” Sandra pleaded.

Thalia stood protectively in front of Tiffany, all motherly fierceness, a far cry from her usual gentleness.

Charlie, however, didn’t hold back. “Enough. I don’t want to see you around for a while. I’ll arrange for you to stay at school until the break”

Tiffany wasn’t completely satisfied with the outcome, but seeing Sandra’s nearly exploding face was enough for now. There was nothing more satisfying than putting someone in their place!

By that afternoon, Sandra had been packed off to school. Without her phony demeanor around, Tiffany found her appetite much better. Except Eric hadn’t spoken to her since he got back.

Tiffany sighed, trying to coax him. “It was my fault for not being there for your game yesterday. How about I make it up to you with an ice cream cake and some chocolate pies?”

“Hmph, Eric grunted.

“Plus cheese puffs?” Tiffany asked.

“And strawberry cheesecake!” Eric countered.

“Deal!” Tiffany agreed.

It was Eric who had covered for Tiffany last night, so their parents hadn’t asked too many questions.

Then today, with Charlie’s near-miss, Thalia decided to take the siblings up to the mountain to pray.

The Sanctuary Mountain was the most famous in Lovell City.

The misty air made it feel like they were walking in the clouds, with flowers and trees all around bursting with life and greenery.

There was a natural spring on the mountain, always flowing, no matter the season. That was the real reason Thalia had brought them here.

Legend had it that if you took a sip of the spring water, it would wash away bad luck and bring good fortune. Tiffany wasn’t interested in that; she was just here to enjoy the flowers.

“Don’t wander too far; we’ll come back down to find you later, Thalia warned before continuing up the mountain with an excited Eric.

At this time of day, the mountain was practically deserted. Tiffany wandered around aimlessly until she found herself standing under a massive tree.

Its branches were thick with leaves, and soft petals fluttered down like rain, adding an ethereal touch to the mountain’s beauty.

Feeling happy. Tiffany pulled out her phone to snap some pictures. But just as she took a few, she felt something cold around her ankle.

Then Tiffany thought it was a snake instinctively. She tried to shake it off, but when she looked down, she saw it was a pale. slender hand.

Chapter 46

‘OMG! Am I so lucky? In the Sanctuary Mountain, can I run into such a barely-alive person?’ Tiffany thought.

Then Tiffany rubbed her temples. Ignoring it wasn’t an option, so she resigned herself to the task of patting Jeremy’s face and calling out, “Hey, wake up. Can you get up?”

She couldn’t carry such a big man. After a couple of pats, Jeremy responded, opening his eyes and grabbing Tiffany’s foot. “Save me, and I’ll repay you.” Then he passed out again.

Tiffany felt an urge to curse. ‘How has this guy, badly injured as he was, managed to climb up here?’ she thought.

But seeing that Jeremy really needed saving or he would die, Tiffany gritted her teeth and used all her strength to carry him down the mountain.

Soon, Tiffany brought him to the nearest hospital. Fortunately, the rescue was timely, and Jeremy was saved.

Watching Jeremy still sleeping in the hospital bed, Tiffany called Thalia and told her she was out having some fun, so there was no need to worry about her. After hanging up, she turned around, and Jeremy’s eyes were already open.

Interestingly, Jeremy had an ordinary appearance, the kind you’d never pick out in a crowd. But those eyes, like black obsidian, were strikingly bright and deep.

Looking at his eves, Jeremy seemed a bit familiar. Tiffany was stunned, trying hard to recall who he might be. Her memories from her past life were hazy, but those eyes were unforgettable.

If Tiffany remembered correctly, this man was named Jeremy Cooper. No one knew where he came from, only that he had fled to Lovell City a few years ago after being hunted.

Jeremy had no fixed address and was constantly on the move. The most important thing was that he was very skilled.

In Tiffany’s memories from her past life, Jeremy wasn’t famous, but he was notably loyal and righteous. In her previous life, he had died while shielding someone from a knife in gratitude.

Unexpectedly, in this life, she had ended up saving Jeremy by chance. Tiffany stroked her chin and made a decision.

‘Such a person, if I don’t recruit him, it’ll be a waste of the effort I put into carrying him down the mountain and into the hospital, Tiffany thought.

So Tiffany asked, “You said you would repay me. Is your word worth anything?”

Jeremy nodded and thought, ‘Since she saved my life, I owed her one.

“What do you want me to do?” Jeremy asked.

“My company is looking for a security guard. It comes with meals and accommodation, plus a monthly salary. What do you think?” Tiffany said with a smile, waiting for his response.

Although the company had Caleb managing things, they were deep in debt. From going bankrupt to now slowly recovering, they had no strong backing or funds, so they were under constant pressure.

Even though Tiffany acted like she was out of the picture, she didn’t want her efforts to go to waste. She had to find ways to support it.

Jeremy was a good addition. He might not be able to solve everything, but he could at least deal with some troublemakers.

Jeremy was a bit surprised and said, “That’s it?”

Jeremy had expected this seemingly unorthodox girl to make unreasonable demands, but the offer was rather fair. It was advantageous for him.

“Are you helping me?” Jeremy asked, trying to read Tiffany’s intentions from her face.

Tiffany just smiled. “No, I have my own agenda. When the time comes and I need your help, no matter how tough it gets, I hope you’ll be there for me.”

That was Tiffany’s goal, laid out clearly, without any concealinent. Her openness was, in fact, quite admirable.

Jeremy was taken aback momentarily, then smiled. “Okay, I agree.” The promise, though simple, was a commitment made with his life.

With a skilled person on board, Tiffany felt quite pleased. She said, “Then rest up and report to the company once you’re healed.”

With that, Tiffany left the hospital and let Caleb know that Jeremy would be reporting to the company soon, and any tasks requiring physical intervention should be handled by him.

Hearing this, Caleb was thrilled.

The company had faced some trouble recently due to successful advertisements. Besides being sidelined in partnerships, they had troublemakers causing issues at the office frequently. And some security guards had been injured, creating a big mess.

Tiffany had told Caleb earlier that she’d handle the finances but wouldn’t be involved in operations. He hadn’t mentioned these issues, but it turned out the seemingly laid-back boss was actually considering every aspect of the company’s welfare.

Caleb felt reassured and said cautiously, “Ms. Kelley, the company’s operational funds are running low.”

Tiffany paused for a moment and replied, “I’ll transfer the money to you in three days.”

After ending the call, Tiffany couldn’t help but sigh. She was quite broke.

The company was just starting up, and the debts from the bankruptcy were still unpaid. With significant expenses and more debt to clear, the previous one million and two hundred thousand dollars Tiffany had provided had dwindled quickly.

Charlie only gave Tiffany a small allowance, and she had to keep buying into the Legendary Enterprises a secret. So, she was financially strained.

Determined not to let the company she worked so hard to build collapse again, Tiffany thought she needed to find a way to make money.

While walking, Tiffany looked at a lottery ad. Then she searched her mémory for any winning numbers from her past life seriously. But despite trying her best, she couldn’t recall any.

Wandering aimlessly for a while, Tiffany finally realized she had unknowingly arrived at the largest Treasure Tower in Lovell City.

As the name suggested, the Treasure Tower was full of priceless treasures. Whether it was priceless antiques or rare paintings from various eras, each item was a treasure.

Besides selling, they also provided appraisal services. Tiffany not only could appraise treasures but also determine their era accurately. And she had never failed. All these skills were taught to her by her master, James Quinn.

In her past life, Tiffany met James when she was five. James bent down and asked, “Will you be my apprentice? If ‘Master,’ I’ll teach you how to disguise yourself.

“If you call me ‘Master’ ten times, I’ll teach you how to appraise treasures and everything else you want to learn.”

At that time, she blinked, curious, and asked, “What if I call you a hundred times?”

“I’ll ensure your safety for life.” James’ words were solemn and heavy.

The six-year-old Tiffany didn’t fully understand what being protected for life meant, but because it was fun, she often sneaked out to learn from James.

By the age of sixteen, Tiffany discovered that James intended to kill Kenneth. She stopped him and even severed ties with him.

Tiffany would never forget the disappointed look James gave her. He said, “You’ll regret this, Tiffany.”

But Tiffany had been resolute, stepping into a deep abyss without hesitation. Now, she finally knew what regret felt like.

Tiffany came back to her senses and couldn’t help but smile wryly. In her past life, she had been so foolish, making countless mistakes. Looking back now, she felt like she wanted to slap herself.

What hurt even more was that the break with James had happened when she was sixteen. Even though she had returned to being eighteen, it was too late to apologize to him, who had completely disappeared.

Tiffany looked up at the sky. After a while, her gaze became determined as she stepped into the Treasure Tower.

There was still a chance. Tiffany would use her actions to show James that she would never step into that abyss again.

On the contrary, Tiffany would send everyone who had wronged her straight to hell.

Chapter 47

When Tiffany walked into Treasure Tower, someone approached her with a friendly smile immediately and asked, “Miss, are you here to buy something or sell something?”

As Wyatt spoke, his gaze swept over Tiffany subtly. Her designer dress and polished look suggested she was from a wealthy family.

But Tiffany raised an eyebrow and smiled pleasantly. “I’m here to apply for a job.”

‘Apply for a job?’ Wyatt looked stunned, his face showing disbelief.

However, the people at Treasure Tower were accustomed to dealing with various situations. After recovering from his surprise, Wyatt kept his smile and asked, “What position are you applying for? We’re looking for two more service staff currently.”

“I’m applying for the position of appraiser,” Tiffany said confidently, without seeing anything wrong with it.

Wyatt burst into laughter as if he had heard the biggest joke. Then he said, “Miss, appraisers’ salaries are indeed enviable these days, but not everyone can do the job.”

The implication was clear: Tiffany was probably dreaming, and her bold claim was laughable.

Feeling dismissed, Tiffany raised an eyebrow and asked simply, “Is Mr. Mask here?”

Frank was the owner of Treasure Tower.

It was rumored that the real boss behind Treasure Tower was someone else with a powerful background, which was why the store had stood strong in Lovell City for so many years.

After Tiffany’s question, Wyatt lost all patience and said coldly, “Oh, Mr. Mask isn’t someone you can just meet on a whim. You might as well leave and check out other places.”

As Wyatt was about to usher her out, it so happened that Frank had just finished attending to a VIP guest and was personally escorting him downstairs.

“See you next time, Mr. Howel. I’m always here to welcome you! Frank said.

“Thank you, Mr. Mask,” Ryan replied.

After sending off the guest politely, Frank turned and asked with a serious face, “What’s going on?”

“Well, Mr. Mask, this young lady insists on seeing you. She says she wants to apply for the appraiser position here. It seems like she’s just fooling around,” Wyatt explained.

With that, Wyatt was about to kick Tiffany out, but Frank looked her up and down with renewed interest

‘Someone who boldly claimed to be an appraiser would typically be older and more experienced. This young woman, with her delicate appearance and bold claim, is indeed hard to believe, Frank thought..

However, Frank had been in the business for years and had met many notable figures. Despite her young age, Tiffany had clear, sparkling eyes and a composed demeanor. Her subtle smile and graceful presence were impressive.

‘If I’m not mistaken, she might be someone of significant background, Frank thought.

Then Frank waved his hand to stop Wyatt and said to Tiffany, “Since you’re applying for the appraiser position, you must be familiar with the industry’s standards. Follow me.”

Frank led Tiffany to the back of Treasure Tower, where many rare items were stored, including those collected from various sources and others brought in for appraisal.

This was clearly a test. If Tiffany had the real skill, it would be evident soon enough.

Entering the gallery, Tiffany noticed numerous surveillance cameras and high-tech security measures.

Soon, Frank stopped in front of a glass case and pointed at an item. “This was just received yesterday. Can you appraise it?”

Inside the case was a seal, entirely black and looking very delicate, with a vivid design. However, due to age, the appearance. had some chips and damage, though it was still relatively well-preserved.

Tiffany picked up the seal and, upon turning it over, saw the inscription “Robert’s From World War II” on the base.

Tiffany smiled, placed the seal back, and said calmly, “It’s a fake. This is from the Cold War Era, not World War II. It’s a private seal, and the material is just copper. It’s worth about two thousand dollars at most.”

Hearing Tiffany’s calm yet confident tone, Frank raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Because she was spot on. Every item they collected or planned to sell had been carefully authenticated.

What surprised Frank was that his team of appraisers had taken their time, scrutinizing every detail to avoid mistakes, and Tiffany had made her judgment with just a glance.

Is she bluffing, or does she truly have such extraordinary talent? Frank thought.

Frank didn’t hesitate and was ready to let Tiffany examine the second antique.

But then he heard Tiffany tap the table lightly and say, “There’s a story behind this seal. Would you like to hear it, Mr. Mask?”

“Oh?” Frank found this curious, even a bit amusing. “Are you about to make up a story on the spot?”

“Every antique that has survived the ages must have its own story.” Tiffany tilted her head and asked with a smile, “Isn’t that true?”

Tiffany wasn’t making up a story, though. She was simply different from others.

Whenever touching an antique, Tiffany could clearly sense the authenticity and origin of the item, and it was as if she could see the moving stories that the object had witnessed over the years.

It was quite extraordinary. James once said this was her gift. But it wasn’t something to be shared with others casually, so she might as well let them believe she was making it up.

“Go ahead, tell me,” Frank said immediately.

Tiffany began to speak. “During the Cold War Era, there was a scholar who deeply admired the president, Franklin. Unfortunately, he faced a difficult life and, despite his lifelong efforts, remained insignificant.

“So, as he lay on his deathbed in old age, he had this seal made quietly, intending to take it to the grave. Unexpectedly, a thousand years later, this seal, which had witnessed the passage of time, has been unearthed once more.”

Tiffany’s voice was lazy, like a gentle breeze, with a tone that was calm and unhurried. Yet it seemed to carry a certain magic, making the story she told unfold like a vivid picture in the listener’s mind.

In this line of work, selling antiques requires not just knowledge but also the ability to convince others. The more they believe, the easier it is to sell.

Whether the stories were made up or not didn’t matter; what mattered was the ability to make people feel as if they were truly there.

And to test Tiffany’s skills, Frank decided to raise the stakes.

James handed Tiffany a collection of items that were almost indistinguishable between genuine and counterfeit. To his surprise, each item took her no more than three minutes to appraise, and she provided a perfect, precise answer every time.

Moreover, for each antique, Tiffany could tell a unique, vivid backstory.

If Frank had previously seen Tiffany in a new light, now he was thoroughly impressed.

“Great! From today onwards, the Treasure Tower has a new appraiser!” Frank announced.

Tiffany’s skills were on full display, and the compensation Frank offered was generous. In addition to the income from each appraisal, the Treasure Tower was hosting an appraisal event tomorrow.

Frank promised that Tiffany could participate as an appraiser at the event, competing with others in the field. And for any item sold through her, she would receive an additional thirty percent of the profits.

Tiffany agreed without hesitation. “Okay.”

When Tiffany stepped out of the Treasure Tower with her new role, Wyatt was completely dumbfounded. He had been ready to mock Tiffany for her overconfidence, but he never expected Frank would hire her as an appraiser.

‘Is Mr. Mask serious? Isn’t he afraid of ruining the shop’s reputation?’ Wyatt thought.

Tiffany left gracefully, ignoring Wyatt’s stunned expression.

In her past life, Tiffany remembered this appraisal event being quite dismal.

The antiques were increasingly valuable, each one more unique and rare than the last. Though many wealthy families attended, very few were willing to spend tens of millions on a single piece.

If Tiffany wanted that thirty percent commission, it wouldn’t be easy.

Chapter 48

That evening, Tiffany locked the door and rummaged through her bedroom. She remembered that she had several masks from years ago. Because she needed to use disguises for the treasure appraisal event to avoid being recognized.

Fortunately, the items were still there. Tiffany breathed a sigh of relief and cleaned the dusty masks carefully.

These masks were custom-made by James to fit her face perfectly. Once applied with makeup, even up close, it was nearly impossible to tell that it was a layer of faux skin.

Then Tiffany packed the items into her bag carefully. As she was about to lie down, she received a phone call. “Hello?” she answered.

“It’s me.” A magnetic, charming voice came through the phone.

Tiffany sat up abruptly and asked, “Richard?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. And he seemed to chuckle. “Surprised to hear from me?”

“No, not at all.” Tiffany yawned and casually asked, “What’s up so late?”

“Is the favor I asked for still valid?” Richard said.

“Of course,” Tiffany replied.

Richard had asked her for help the previous Friday when he dropped her off at home. Afterward, she had forgotten about it due to Sidney’s situation.

Since there were no classes the next day, but she had to attend the treasure appraisal event in the afternoon. So Tiffany asked tentatively, “What time tomorrow? I want to visit Zoe in the hospital first.”

“Let’s do it together. I’ll pick you up in the morning,” Richard said.

“Okay,” Tiffany replied. With the arrangement made, she agreed.

Since the appraisal event was in the afternoon, Tiffany could always find an excuse to slip away if needed.

The next morning, a car was indeed parked outside Cedar Ridge Villa.

Fortunately, Charlie had gone to the company early, and Thalia had taken Eric to his painting class, leaving Tiffany alone at home.

Otherwise, if the car belonging to the head of the Hampton family was seen by the Kelley couple, Tiffany didn’t know how she would explain it.

After a quick tidy-up, Tiffany got into the car.

Richard was sitting calmly in the backseat, looking at the laptop on his lap, seemingly in a video conference.

Tiffany didn’t dare to interrupt and waited quietly. A few minutes later, Richard closed the laptop.

Tiffany finally spoke. “Not busy today?”

“Not busy,” Richard said, placing a breakfast from a local eatery in front of Tiffany casually. “Try this new sandwich from Velvet & Vine.”

Tiffany’s eyes lit up. She enjoyed the meal during the drive.

After finishing and wiping her mouth, Tiffany couldn’t help but comment. “It’s great. Velvet & Vine has never disappointed.”

“In the future, if you want it, you can go anytime or have them deliver it to you,” Richard added.

“Sure.” Tiffany accepted without hesitation.

When they arrived at the hospital, only Zoe was still getting an IV drip.

Sidney was much better due to his strong constitution. After a night of rest, he had already left for work in Mercy Hospital.

Richard didn’t enter the ward but said, “I’ll find Sidney. Call me when you’re done.”

“Okay,” Tiffany replied.

When Tiffany entered the ward, Zoe looked pleasantly surprised and exclaimed, “Tiffany, I’ve been eagerly waiting for you to visit me!”

“Feeling better?” Tiffany asked.

“Much better! I’ll be going home after finishing these IV drips,” Zoe replied.

“That’s good,” Tiffany said.

Suddenly thinking of something, Tiffany asked, “By the way, which school are you at? I need to know for future reference.”

“I…” Zoe scratched her head, clearly struggling to lie. She stammered, “I haven’t been attending classes lately.”

‘Not attending?’ Tiffany thought. And she asked, almost connecting the dots immediately, “Could it be that you were expelled due to the kidnapping incident?”

“Yeah,” Zoe admitted with a hint of grievance. “The classmate I saved was ungrateful. She criticized me, saying I was foolish and deserved it. I couldn’t hold back and ended up getting expelled.”

Zoe then waved her hand, changing the topic. “Let’s not talk about her. What happened to those kidnappers?”

“They’re doing well, provided with food and accommodation, and allowed outside occasionally. They’ll be out in about ten years or so,” Tiffany said. “Does your family know you’ve been expelled?”

“No,” Zoe answered.

“Then, if they ask, just say you transferred schools,” Tiffany suggested.

“Got it.” Zoe nodded instinctively, then looked at Tiffany with confusion. “Wait, Tiffany, what do you mean by that?”

“It means, since you’ve pledged loyalty, I’m not going to treat you poorly.” Tiffany smiled and rubbed Zoe’s head. “Come to Lovell City’s school tomorrow. I’ll handle the enrollment application and everything else for you.”

“Great!” Zoe, not one to be overly sentimental, readily agreed. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

After sitting for a while, Tiffany left. Just as she exited Zoe’s ward Richard and Sidney happened to arrive.

“All done?” Richard asked, raising an eyebrow.

Tiffany nodded.

The next second, Sidney, who was about to speak to Richard, found himself ignored as Richard whisked Tiffany away without a second glance.

Sidney sighed, feeling a chill in his heart. ‘What’s with this sudden sense of abandonment?’

When they left the hospital, it was just noon. Richard didn’t bring up any business and took Tiffany to lunch.

Instead of Velvet & Vine, they went to another famous place in Lovell City known for its pizza. The meal was both visually appealing and delicious.

Tiffany loved pizza, so she enjoyed the meal immensely.

It was strange how everything Richard picked for Tiffany seemed to match her tastes perfectly, almost as if he knew her preferences well.

Of course, Tiffany never read too much into it. She just thought Richard’s tastes were similar to hers, a coincidence.

After they finished eating, Richard paid the bill. Not seeing any indication of business talk, Tiffany asked, “You mentioned needing my help. What exactly do you need?”

“You’ll find out when we get there,” Richard replied.

However, Tiffany was stunned when they arrived. Richard had taken her to the very venue of the treasure appraisal event

Tiffany had been trying to figure out a way to sneak into the event. She didn’t expect Richard to bring her directly to the location.

Only Tiffany could do was to think, ‘Richard forever!”

Chapter 49

Richard raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Tiffany’s sudden burst of excitement. “Are you interested in this?” he asked.

Tiffany chuckled and replied, “Not really. I just haven’t been here before, so it’s all a bit new to me.”

Tiffany sounded perfectly serious, but Richard gave her a knowing look. He thought, ‘Not been here before? Who’s she kidding?’

ne: before

When it came to Tiffany, Richard figured that her words could only trust about half of what she said-the rest was just noise.

They had only been seated for a short while when Tiffany checked the time, deciding it was about time to get ready.

Suddenly, Tiffany frowned, clutching her stomach with a pained expression. “I don’t feel so good. I think I ate too much and fast, and now my stomach’s killing me.”

“I’ll take you to the hospital,” Richard said, standing immediately as if to carry her out.

Tiffany backed away quickly, shaking her head. “No, no! I just need to hit the restroom!” Then she spun around and darted off seen.

Richard didn’t argue, sitting back down to wait patiently. But even after the auction had started, Tiffany was nowhere to be Where was Tiffany?

After heading to the restroom, Tiffany had changed into a different outfit, put on a mask, and disguised herself with simple makeup. She was now ready to take her place backstage as Treasure Tower’s new appraiser.

This auction was all about money, so Frank had come in person. When he first saw Tiffany, he was startled, thinking she was an imposter.

Just as Frank was about to confront her, Tiffany spoke up first. “My previous identity wasn’t very convenient. So, from now on, this is how I’ll be showing up at events.”

Frank studied Tiffany closely. Although he didn’t know exactly which wealthy family she belonged to, his decades of experience in the field had taught him to be flexible.

In fact, Frank thought this was a good idea-less ha**le in the future. So he gave her a nod of approval.

But the older, more seasoned appraisers weren’t as accepting. They were not pleased that Frank had hired such a young, inexperienced girl.

One of them, dismissing Tiffany outright, barked, “Hey, kid! Get over here and clean up this mess. Don’t you know the rules?”

‘Rules? Rules are meant to be broken,’ Tiffany thought, completely ignoring him.

Seeing Tiffany put on white gloves calmly, a few of the appraisers got angry. “Young and clueless! You don’t know what you’re getting into. You’ll be in tears soon enough!”

“Arrogant, full of yourself! You have never faced any real hardships, right?” another scoffed.

The appraisers sat together, grumbling to each other.

As for Tiffany? She acted like she hadn’t heard a word, focusing on the treasures entirely that would soon be displayed at the auction.

Then the appraisers were left speechless. ‘Has she really just ignored everything we said?’ one appraiser thought.

It felt like a punch landed in thin air-frustrating and unsatisfying. Then they were determined to teach Tiffany a lesson.

One of the most senior appraisers, someone with significant authority called John, walked over and said sternly, “You’re new, so you have no business touching those antiques. Today, you’ll be in charge of showcasing those instead.”

With that, John pointed dismissively to a glass case filled with diamonds and some modern jewelry made from rare gems.

While the diamonds and jewels were valuable, especially coming from the Treasure Tower, the auction attendees were mostly there for the rare antiques. Compared to those, these pieces were of little interest.

It was clear John intended to sideline her, and if things went poorly, Tiffany might not sell a single piece.

Tiffany didn’t get mad. The auction was about to start, and she didn’t want to stir up trouble. Then she moved away from the antiques section and headed toward the jewelry.

John snorted in satisfaction. “At least you know your place.”

The auction began, and Tiffany was scheduled for the final segment. After the antiques were sold, it would be her turn to present the jewelry.

By then, most of the important guests would have already left, and if they did, she’d be left with an empty room.

The older appraisers exchanged knowing smiles, waiting to see Tiffany fail eagerly.

An hour passed, and all the treasures had been showcased. The final item was a painting by a famous painter, titled Autumn Rhythm.

It wasn’t the original, just a replica, yet an elderly bidder purchased it for sixteen million dollars.

Almost everyone at the auction had come specifically for this painting, so only a couple of other antiques were sold, bringing the total to just over twenty million dollars.

It wasn’t as much as they had hoped for, but it wasn’t bad either.

As Tiffany prepared to take the stage, the older appraisers couldn’t resist taunting her. “Good luck, little girl. And don’t feel too bad if nothing sells. You can always have a good cry afterward!”

Suddenly, the laughter echoed in the room.

Meanwhile, Tiffany walked up to the stage.

As she expected, a small portion of the guests had already left, and many others were now gathered around Richard, eager to cozy up to him. Someone said gently, “Mr. Hampton, what a surprise to see you here!”

It was as if the auction had already ended.

The moment Tiffany stood on stage, for some reason, Richard, who had been looking at his phone, lifted his head suddenly.

Richard’s sharp, cold gaze scanned the crowd, landing on her with uncanny precision. Instantly, Tiffany felt a wave of pressure and nervousness.

Before coming on stage, Tiffany had checked her disguise carefully. Even someone who knew her well wouldn’t recognize her up close.

Soon, Richard looked away quickly, his chiseled face as impassive as ever.

Tiffany breathed a sigh of relief. She picked up the microphone, not caring whether anyone was paying attention, and began. “Ladies and gentlemen, there are still a few special treasures I’d like you to take a look at.”

Tiffany intentionally lowered her voice, making it sound a bit m**ed.

Most of the guests barely glanced at the stage, seeing only an ordinary-looking girl. They paid no attention, continuing to chat and laugh among themselves. The room was a mess of noise.

In the vast hall, the only person showing any respect was Richard. He glanced at the people trying to cozy up to him, and with a faint smile, casually remarked, “It’s kind of rude to be so noisy, don’t you think?”

Richard’s tone was light, revealing no emotion, but his words made everyone freeze.

When the big shot spoke, you listened. Then the room fell silent immediately. Those trying to get close to Richard laughed awkwardly and returned to their seats quickly.

As for Richard, his powerful aura remained undiminished, creating an invisible barrier that kept everyone at a distance.

The room, once loud and chaotic, quieted down in an instant.

 

Chapter 50

Tiffany took the stage and after her opening remarks, a well-dressed assistant placed a transparent glass case on the display stand carefully.

Under the spotlight and on the big screen, everyone could see clearly that it contained a beautiful necklace, exuding a sense of historical grandeur and classical elegance.

The distinguished guests looked unimpressed. To them, this piece held little significance.

Then someone snickered. “Seriously? This?” His disdain was evident.

Tiffany remained composed on stage, ignoring the snide comments. She continued, “This necklace comes from a long- forgotten era that vanished centuries ago. The owner of this necklace was a female general whose bravery on the battlefield was unmatched.

“Unfortunately, the general fell in battle. The prince who deeply loved her, despite facing immense resistance, crowned her queen after his ascension. He vowed to keep this necklace as a symbol of their eternal bond. Thus, this necklace is also a token of their pledge.”

Tiffany’s voice, soft and ethereal, filled the entire venue. It seemed as if the scene she described was unfolding before everyone’s eyes.

In that moment, they could almost see the female general’s valiant figure amid a storm of dust and sand, and the sorrowful vow of her devoted lover.

As they looked at the slowly rotating necklace in the glass case, it appeared to carry a touch of heartfelt significance.

While the men in the room might not have been deeply affected, the women, being more emotional, couldn’t help but feel a pang of sentiment after hearing the story.

A few young, glamorous women even nudged their partners playfully, saying, “Honey, don’t you want to give me a token of our love?”

However, when they heard the price, 120 thousand dollars, the men recoiled quickly, thinking, ‘No way. Who needs a token of love that costs this much?’

Tiffany had braced herself for no sales.

The expressions on the men’s faces were clear. They thought spending that kind of money on this item was ridiculous. But to everyone’s surprise, there was a buyer.

That’s Richard!

He ever calm and collected, simply stated, “Wrap it up.”

The other men were stunned. Richard, who hadn’t even glanced at the antique items, was now buying the women’s piece without hesitation.

Did Richard have a woman in his life? Who would receive the necklace?

Speculation ran wild in the crowd. Could Richard, known for his aloofness, actually be interested in someone?

Their theories were put to rest when Richard continued to bid on the subsequent items with the same nonchalance, buying them all.

By the time the eighth item was revealed, a rare pink diamond bracelet. The pink diamonds, sparkling under the lights, were simply exquisite. Several large rare pink diamonds are adorned with smaller ones, featuring a simple yet high-end design.

Most importantly, it was one of a kind worldwide. No woman could resist such a stunning bracelet.

Especially since the bracelet featured rare pink diamonds that had appeared at auction last year. Even a mere three-carat diamond had fetched ten million dollars at that time.

Now, after a year of crafting it into a unique bracelet and with a design by a world-renowned designer, the pink diamonds were priced at a starting bid of 20 million dollars.

Upon hearing this price, even the wealthiest attendees gasped, murmuring, “Seriously? It’s just a piece of rock. Who would start bidding at 20 million dollars?”

Another murmured, “I don’t think there will be a person to buy it.”

Richard, having recently demonstrated his willingness to spend, drew everyone’s attention. They were curious if he would bid on this bracelet as well.

Richard, however, only had eyes for Tiffany, who was dressed in a sleek black-and-white suit. He smiled slightly and said, “I’ll take it.”

Richard’s words, elongated and filled with meaning, left everyone wondering if he was referring to the bracelet or something else.

Tiffany maintained her professional smile and replied, “Got it.”

Just then, a young, striking woman stood up, smiling coyly, “Sorry, Mr. Hampton, but I’d also like this bracelet, so I’m adding 200 thousand dollars.”

Instead of genuinely bidding, the woman, who was none other than the heiress of Lovell City’s largest real estate empire, Mia, was trying to catch Richard’s attention and create a memorable encounter.

Most importantly, Mia had always been interested in Richard, making several attempts to approach him at various public events. Despite her efforts, she had never managed to engage with him directly.

At that moment, as Mia stood up, her defiant stance combined with her longing gaze made the other guests’ expressions shift subtly.

Richard was a prized bachelor. Who wouldn’t envy him?

If the Hampton family wanted to ally with the Lee family, this would be the perfect chance to buy the necklace and present it to Mia.

This move would not only resolve the current awkwardness but also win him the affection of Mia. It’s an opportunity that seemed too perfect to pass up.

But Richard was never one to play by others’ rules. Without a glance at Mia, he announced simply, 40 million dollars.”

Richard didn’t even bother to make a fuss; he just upped the bid by 20 million dollars. His message was clear: if Mia wanted to continue bidding, she could.

They all knew Richard had money coming out of his ears. Everyone was stunned. Damn! Richard was really loaded!

Even Tiffany, who was about to leave, was taken aback. She couldn’t help but feel grateful to Mia for driving up the price. Because she would make a significant commission from the sale.

At this moment, Mia was already fuming with anger. Richard’s bid made it clear he wasn’t going to give her any respect.

Mia would bet that if she kept bidding, Richard would simply raise the price to one billion. ‘Who knows which woman would end up with this ridiculously expensive bracelet?’ Mia thought.

With everyone either joking or watching the drama unfold, Mia was so angry she almost cried. She turned on her heel and left. And there was no one to bid again. So, the bracelet went to Richard ultimately.

As Tiffany prepared to leave, she was confronted by Richard unexpectedly, who blocked her path.

“Mr. Hampton, your items will be wrapped up professional demeanor despite her nervoush nd delivered by Treasure Tower staff shortly,” Tiffany said, keeping her

‘Why Is Richard so close to me? Have I somehow revealed something?’ Tiffany thought.

Before she could figure it out, Richard took the bracelet from her and said calmly, “If you have any more unique items in the future, remember to save them for me.”

Tiffany nodded politely and replied, “Of course, no problem.” Then she made her exit backstage quickly.

The bracelet alone sold for 40 million dollars, and with the additional items, Tiffany’s incredible luck today left several masters who were waiting to see her fail almost fuming with rage.

The masters had all been focused on auctioning antiques and ended up selling a famous piece of painting for sixteen million dollars. Yet Tiffany’s total amount was double theirs.

They were furious and regretful. If they had known, they wouldn’t have made things difficult for her. They could have made money off Richard instead.

Today’s results were extraordinary, far surpassing expectations. Frank was delighted and, following their agreement for a thirty percent bonus, promptly transferred Tiffany her share.

With a total of 44 million dollars, Tiffany earned 13 million As she changed clothes in the restroom, and she transferred the money to Caleb happily.

This time, the company could at least survive a bit longer. If things went well from here, it would finally be her turn to start making real money.

After changing clothes and fixing her makeup, Tiffany walked out with a bright smile on her face.

But as soon as she stepped out of the restroom, Tiffany found Richard leaning against the wall, looking at her with a smirk.

“You seem pretty happy. Did you find some money on the ground?” Richard teased.