Their eyes met, and an awkward silence followed. Tiffany blinked, thinking she was hallucinating. However, that incomparably handsome face remained before her, confirming its reality.
Richard, wherever he went, preferred climbing through windows to using the front door. He hadn't expected to find someone in the guest room, and was slightly surprised. Casually lowering the raised curtains, he remained calm, even offering a playful smile. "Miss Wood, we are fated," he said.
Tiffany wanted to cry, but couldn't. It was one thing for Richard, that infuriating man, to climb into her window unannounced, but quite another to encounter him while she was attending a birthday party! She retorted, "Mr. Hampton, your window-climbing skills are also top-notch."
Unfazed by her sarcasm, a faint smile flickered in Richard's deep eyes. "Go ahead and sleep. I'm leaving," he said, then exited the guest room, closing the door behind him. The room fell silent, as if nothing had happened. However, Tiffany detected a faint scent of blood, extremely subtle and quickly dissipating. Her heart skipped a beat. Richard won't be injured again, will he? she thought.
Leaping off the bed, she was about to investigate when she saw Richard descend the stairs. His tall, distinguished figure was always striking. The hall fell silent the moment he appeared.
When Evan saw Richard, he excitedly rushed over. "Uncle Richard!"
"Yeah," Richard replied. He was particularly tolerant of his nephew, Evan, and his cold expression softened slightly. "Did you have fun?"
"Yes!" Evan nodded.
"That's good." Richard's cold gaze swept across the guests, acknowledging Evan's good fortune. After exchanging polite pleasantries, the guests offered repeated nods of agreement, remarking on Evan's fortunate recovery.
Evan, however, was unhappy. "It was Miss Wood who cared for me. Without Miss Wood, I wouldn't be who I am now, Uncle Richard. Don't you think so?"
"Yes," Richard said.
As soon as Richard spoke, Miracle Healer's fame grew even more.
Coincidentally, Tiffany descended the stairs. The young woman, wearing an elk mask and a white, cinched-waist dress, possessed a slender figure, long straight hair, and a captivating, mysterious, and alluring presence. The guests below exchanged astonished, impressed, and disbelieving glances. The legendary Miracle Healer, capable of neutralizing hundreds of poisons and extending lifespans, was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl. How could anyone not be amazed?
Even previous skeptics, witnessing Evan's recovery and Richard's confirmation, dared not doubt further. Flattering voices rose like a tide. Several wealthy women attempted to approach Tiffany, but June intercepted them. Tiffany disliked socializing and lacked the patience to engage. Understanding this, June stepped forward, handing out her business card with a smile. The simple card bore only her name and number. "Just call if there's anything. I'll pass it on to my master," she said. Whether facing wealthy matrons or influential business tycoons, June remained composed and impressive, far surpassing many of the wealthy women present. Her poise raised questions about the Miracle Healer's true power and influence. Everyone present understood they shouldn't become enemies, even if they weren't on good terms. For a moment, a happy buzz of conversation filled the room.
Seeing others praise the Miracle Healer so highly, Mia and Hannah were furious. Hannah, always impulsive, was about to mock the Healer when Mia stopped her. "Don't make a scene. It's important to get down to business. I promise we'll be on the same side as long as we get what we want. Do you understand?" Mia said.
"Yes," Hannah replied, restraining herself.
Mia and Hannah whispered further before enacting their pre-arranged plan, separating to pursue their individual goals.
Hannah approached Evan with a feigned sadness. "Evan, don't you like me anymore? I remember you used to play with me when you were five."
Evan's expression remained cold. Although Hannah was his aunt, she always treated him like a child easily manipulated. It's funny. Does she think I don't know anything? No. On the contrary, I know everything, Evan thought.
Seeing Evan unmoved, Hannah panicked. "Why are you so heartless? I've been so good to you, and this is how you repay me?"
"That's right, Aunt Hannah, you are the best to me." Evan offered an innocent smile, though an imperceptible coldness lingered in his clear eyes.
In the month before his awakening, after dozens of acupuncture sessions with Tiffany, Evan had regained some consciousness, though not enough to fully wake him. Therefore, when Hannah attempted to kill him by drugging him to seize his shares, he felt it from beginning to end! Lying immobile, he heard Hannah say, "Evan, it's not that I want to harm you, but you're suffering living like this. Why don't you continue sleeping? I'm doing this for your good"
What a good thing, he thought sarcastically. She was so good she didn't hesitate to kill him with her own hands!
Evan's eyes burned with disgust, unnoticed by Hannah, who continued happily, "It's good that you know! It's your birthday today. I have a gift for you. Do you want to see it?"
"No," Evan replied coldly, turning and leaving.
Hannah was stunned. Why isn't Evan as gullible as before after two years of sleep? she thought. Since this doesn't work, I'll try another approach!
Hannah casually poured a glass of red wine, adding the aphrodisiacs Mia had given her. The powder dissolved instantly. She approached Richard nervously, "Uncle Richard, I'm sorry. I was insensible before. Do you still blame me now?"
Richard looked at her with a faint smile. Mustering her courage, Hannah offered the drugged wine, looking at him hopefully. "Uncle Richard, if you don't blame me, drink the glass of wine I specially made for you, okay?"