Looking at Tiffany's sincere expression, Richard raised his eyebrows and smiled calmly. "Since you're so polite, I have no choice but to accept your thanks."

"Well" Tiffany mumbled. She felt nothing was wrong, yet something felt amiss; as if she'd fallen into a trap.

Before she could analyze it, Richard calmly added, "So I'll take care of you while you're hospitalized."

"What?" Tiffany exclaimed.

"No, thanks!" She quickly waved her hand. Richard was such a busy man, she thought. How could he possibly take care of her? Besides, her injury wasn't serious. She'd only done it to gain Selena's trust. A few pills, and she'd be fine in three to five days; not even a scar. She just didn't want to arouse suspicion.

However, Richard wouldn't so easily retract his offer. He rubbed her head and said, "Go to sleep. I'll watch over you."

It was a reassuring sentence, enough to dispel her gloom. Tiffany blinked and lay down obediently. The main ward lights were off; only a nightlight glowed. Under its warm orange hue, Richard's tall figure sat quietly on the small sofa beside the bed, his long legs casually crossed, his posture lazy. He was like a nobleman amongst the stars, unreachable, yet he always protected her with that seemingly domineering yet gentle attitude. Tiffany closed her eyes and slept peacefully. The night was beautiful.

The next morning dawned bright. The smell of disinfectant filled the air as Tiffany awoke. She looked around, but Richard was gone. He'd probably left hours ago. She wondered if last night had been a dream.

Seeing Tiffany in a daze, the nurse, gently changing her dressing, comforted her, "Don't be afraid. It won't hurt."

Tiffany nodded and offered a faint smile.

After the nurse left, the ward fell silent. After washing her face, Tiffany leaned against the raised hospital bed and opened her laptop to check on her story from yesterday. There were very few clicks; almost no one had read it. She rubbed her nose, smiled, and wrote another 2,000 words, posting it immediately.

Then, the ward door opened. Tiffany assumed it was the nurse with medicine, but she looked up to see the last two people she wanted to see: Kenneth and Sandra. What a haunting spirit.

Yesterday's fire had left Sandra and Kenneth with varying degrees of burns. Coincidentally, they were in the same hospital. Sandra, having seen Tiffany's name on the registration book, had tracked her down. She came to apologize.

"Tiffany, I'm sorry. Are you feeling better? Do you need me to stay and take care of you?" Sandra asked, sounding guilty, as if willing to do anything to atone for Selena's actions. But she seemed so fake.

Tiffany waved her hand expressionlessly. "There's no need. Please leave."

Sandra didn't move. She bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry. "Tiffany, I know you won't forgive me, and I don't expect you to. But can you give me a chance to atone? Otherwise, I'll have a guilty conscience for the rest of my life!"

"A guilty conscience?" Tiffany smiled. "Do you have a conscience?"

Sandra was stunned.

"Remember to think before you speak," Tiffany added with a faint smile. "I haven't asked how you appeared nearby yesterday. Why don't you tell me now?"

Tiffany thought about the timing of Sandra's appearance. It was too convenient. After Selena kidnapped Eric, Tiffany had chased after her; only about a ten-minute difference. That's why Selena's plan had failed! How did Sandra find out? Did she walk from Lovell City? Ridiculous. Those words were only meant to deceive idiots like Kenneth. To deceive her? Sandra needed a hundred years more practice.

Tiffany spoke bluntly. Sandra's face paled, tears welling in her eyes.

"Tiffany, you've misunderstood. I sensed something was wrong and received a call from my mother. She was being mysterious, so I subconsciously followed her. You misunderstood!"

Anyone seeing Sandra's tear-stained face would feel pity.

Kenneth frowned and said softly, "Alright. Eric is fine now. Don't be too harsh on Sandra. I believe she didn't do it on purpose."

Too harsh? Tiffany thought. She nodded, looking directly at Kenneth. "Good. I hope you can say that after experiencing a desperate situation. Everything will be fine as long as no one is dead, right?" Tiffany laughed cynically. That bastard Kenneth was as bad as ever! He'd rushed in to save Eric before the fire, but was it for Eric, or for Sandra?

Tiffany put her laptop aside and impatiently rang for the nurse.

"What's wrong?" the nurse asked, hurrying over.

"Please get these two out of here," Tiffany said indifferently.

The nurse immediately told Kenneth and Sandra to return to their own wards and not disturb other patients.

Kenneth, never one to cause trouble, nodded and prepared to leave. But Sandra stubbornly refused to move, silently expressing her intent to stay until forgiven.

"Sandra, please don't do this!" Kenneth pleaded, getting a headache. He'd always seen Sandra as smart, gentle, and kind; someone who wouldn't deliberately cause trouble. Yet, with Tiffany, she was stubborn as a mule, making things worse, intentionally or unintentionally.

The nurse was in a dilemma. They were all patients, and Sandra looked weak, her hospital gown loose, revealing burn marks.

Tiffany narrowed her eyes. "Are you threatening me?"

"I just want to ask for your forgiveness" Sandra said, wiping her tears, looking wronged and pitiful.

The atmosphere was tense. Then, a cold voice cut through the silence: "Then stand there until you die!"