Chapter 143
Seconds ticked by. Hannah panicked. Richard's name was a thunderclap, shocking everyone. She desperately wanted him to drink the wine, but Lackard's gaze seemed to pierce her schemes. Hannah trembled uncontrollably; cold sweat beaded on her back. She wanted to retreat.
Just as she was wavering, about to give up, Richard took the wine and drank it in one gulp. Hannah looked up, surprised. Richard, the devil in her eyes, curled his lips. "You're right. Why would I blame you?"
Hannah's eyes lit up with joy, a smile freezing on her face the next second. Richard smiled faintly, saying casually, "However, you'd better behave yourself. Otherwise, no one can save you."
His words were light, yet Hannah felt as if she were falling into an ice cellar. She knew exactly how ruthless he was, and she had schemed against him. She didn't dare to think further.
Seeing their plan halfway successful—Richard had drunk the wine—Hannah was ecstatic. She immediately and stealthily snuck upstairs. Mia had told her the room's location.
She easily entered Richard's room, removed her fishtail dress, and hid under the blanket in the dark, avoiding the lights. According to their plan, Hannah would allow Richard to return to his room before the drug took effect. What happened next was smooth sailing.
Meanwhile, Mia blushed. Anticipation made her heart race. Weakened, she whispered, a pale tremor in her voice, "I won't, Uncle Richard. I won't cause you trouble again…"
He didn't respond, going straight upstairs. Watching his tall, slender back, Hannah's heart pounded.
Things went unusually smoothly, benefiting Mia. Hannah hoped Mia would seize the opportunity. When Mia married into the Hampton family, they would face their common enemy together. Mia was so nervous her palms sweated.
The room was dark; she could hear her own heartbeat. The wait felt long. She wasn't sure if Hannah had succeeded, but she couldn't leave and waited patiently. Evan's rooms were all guest rooms. Richard hadn't been there in years, let alone stayed there. Everything was brand new, with only a faint scent of sunshine.
Mia was disappointed, but then she heard footsteps outside, followed by the sound of a door handle turning. Someone entered. Mia was nervous and flustered. The person didn't turn on the lights.
Seconds later, a familiar, cold, pleasant voice sounded: "Turned it down. Yeah." The call ended quickly.
Mia's heart raced; indescribable excitement filled her. It was Richard! The wine's effects were beginning. This was her chance! A sweet, seductive voice filled the bedroom: "Richard…"
Mia's voice was enchanting. Footsteps approached. The curtains weren't drawn. In the moonlight, Mia, exquisitely made-up, was visible under the blanket, her collarbone faintly showing. She was like fruit ripe for the picking, a lady awaiting a king's favor. Her voice continued, an ambiguous aura filling the room.
As Richard approached, Mia grew more nervous. Just as she was about to rise, she heard a low, slightly drunken, yet chilling laugh. The bedroom's temperature plummeted. The ambiguity vanished.
The lights suddenly switched on! Mia saw the situation: Richard remained at the door, never entering. Beside her bed stood two imposing bodyguards.
Shocked, Mia tried to speak but couldn't. Richard remained nonchalant. His words, however, sent her to hell: "Carry her back home. Carry her like this. Let people see the shameless Miss Lee of the Lee family."
Terror surged. She wanted to beg, to leave, but it was too late. The bodyguards bowed. "Yes, sir!" Mia was carried out, naked but wrapped in thin blankets, sent back to the Lee family.
She had tried to seduce Richard, was rejected, and publicly shamed. It wasn't just a loss of dignity; it was a mark of shame. The Lee family's reputation was ruined. Conner fainted twice from rage that night. He beat Mia and sent her overseas, treating her like trash, giving her only enough money to survive. He threatened to cut ties. Mason Lee became the sole heir.
Tiffany, meanwhile, was in the backyard with Evan, unaware of the events. Even if she had known, she would have felt only that Richard was in control.
Evan said he had a gift: a painting he'd made of her. Tiffany laughed, asking if he really saw her as gentle. He said yes. Tiffany loved the painting. Evan was called away to blow out birthday candles. He promised to bring her a bigger cake.
After he left, Tiffany strolled to the pool, taking off her shoes to play in the water. Looking up, she saw a leaf fall, despite no nearby trees. She looked up and saw a handsome man in a tree across from the pool, watching her with a smile. She quickly put her mask back on, narrowly avoiding being discovered.