Tiffany’s mouth twitched. The two people in the photo were intimate. She looked slightly confused, but Richard’s thin, pursed lips revealed a trace of a smile. The smuggling posture was vaguely ambiguous.
Tiffany looked at the photo and instantly abandoned her idea of selling it. She wouldn't dare, even if she had the nerve. The heartbreak of thousands of girls and the resulting backlash would drown her if anyone discovered she'd been photographed with Richard.
She glared at him with a sad gaze. Richard chuckled, clearly in a good mood.
As they stared at each other, Tyrone, the special assistant, who had passed the ward several times without daring to knock, finally knocked and whispered, “Mr. Hampton, may I come in?”
Richard glanced at him, the message clear: You've already interrupted, so why ask?
Tyrone understood and entered, carrying a carefully ironed and wrapped suit, toiletries, and clothes. Everyone knew Richard was a neat freak; he couldn't wear the same clothes for two days. He'd returned hurriedly, going straight to the hospital upon arrival.
"Leave it," Richard said.
Tyrone placed the suit aside and reported Richard's itinerary and pending company matters.
"Uh-huh," Richard replied calmly.
The high-class ward was well-equipped. Richard showered and changed into fresh clothes while Tyrone stood guard at the bathroom door, occasionally giving Tiffany a bright smile. In his eyes, Richard had never shown such concern for any woman. His immediate response to Tiffany's previous kidnapping—ordering a search and personally rescuing her—and his rushing back from overseas to be at the hospital with her were unprecedented. All signs pointed to Tiffany as the only woman he held dear.
Tyrone, eager to please the Kelley family's Tiffany, smiled brightly, trying to make a good impression, but this only made Tiffany's hair stand on end. Tyrone doesn't seem very smart, she thought.
Soon, Richard emerged in a crisp suit, tall, cool, and strikingly handsome. Tiffany inwardly praised his appearance. Then, remembering herself, she said, "Well, you don't have to stay. My parents will be here soon." She meant: Go do your job. My parents seeing you here wouldn't look good.
Just then, the ward door opened, and Charlie entered with Thalia and Eric.
"Tiffany, it still hurts—" Charlie stopped mid-sentence, stunned. "Mr. Hampton, why… why are you here?"
He's been here a while. A man and a woman alone… Charlie thought, becoming instantly vigilant. No one could touch his daughter.
Tiffany closed her eyes, feigning unconsciousness. Richard remained calm and unmoved. Before he could speak, Eric said, "Richard, you're here to see Tiffany too, aren't you?"
What an innocent tone, she thought. Unseen by the others, Richard and Eric exchanged glances.
(Richard, I'll help you out!) (Richard: Eric, you're so sensible.)
Under Eric's prompting, Richard nodded. "I dropped in on her."
Charlie relaxed slightly. This hospital is owned by Richard. His presence is reasonable. As long as he's not here to abduct my daughter, he's not the enemy.
He smiled and made small talk. "Mr. Hampton, thank you for caring about my daughter!"
"Mr. Kelley, you're welcome."
Richard then looked at Tiffany, a smile flashing in his eyes as he saw her guilt over her parents discovering her relationship. He bid farewell and left in a good mood. Tiffany was the apple of Charlie's eye; dealing with him would be difficult. Richard would have to proceed slowly and methodically.
After Richard and Tyrone left, the Kelleys surrounded Tiffany's bed, inquiring about her well-being. She reassured them, saying the pain was manageable and the hospital's medicine was effective. She'd taken a pill with her porridge that morning, aiding her recovery. She carefully controlled her improvement so as not to arouse suspicion.
Ged and Zoe arrived that afternoon, followed by Philip, whose worry was evident. They were relieved to see Tiffany's condition. She explained her injury as an accidental fall. As for Eric's kidnapping and Selena's retribution, Charlie didn't intend to publicize the family scandal.
He felt betrayed by his brother's family, particularly their actions against him. Their relationship with Sandra was also fractured. Regardless of Sandra's innocence, there were unanswered questions, and she likely had unwashed sins. However, her cleverness meant they lacked evidence.
Two days later, Tiffany's leg was nearly healed, astonishing the doctor. He marveled at her rapid recovery—a miracle, considering others needed at least a month's rest. She was eager to leave. Richard kept his promise, visiting three nights in a row, especially late at night. Tiffany feared he would collapse if she didn't leave the hospital.
The day after her discharge, Tiffany's injuries were completely healed. Soon after, June messaged about a medicine order—from Kenneth, for Sandra, whose facial scar from the fire needed treatment.
Tiffany immediately refused. June, anticipating this, simply replied, "Okay," to Kenneth.