Tiffany thought someone was ambushing her. She spun around, seeing a tall, elegant figure—Richard. He looked impossibly distant, like a star.

"Mr. Hampton, why are you here?" Tiffany asked, slightly confused.

Richard sat beside her. "I was invited to the celebration. Surprised to see me?"

"No, I just didn't expect you at such a boring event," Tiffany blurted, instantly regretting her words. Richard chuckled. "It is boring. I came to see you."

Tiffany nodded, understanding his unspoken reason for attending. "Seeing you here will send half the girls in our school crazy!" she exclaimed. It was true; Richard was always the center of attention, his aura preventing most from approaching. The thought of the ensuing chaos amused her.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "I hear you're popular. Love letters overflowing in your drawer?"

Tiffany was stunned. "How did you know?"

"How could I not?" Richard replied calmly, though his tone was slightly tart.

"It's just a rumor," Tiffany said, touching her nose. The love letters were a prank; she didn't even know who sent them. They ended up in the trash.

"Oh, yeah?" Richard's eyes sparkled with amusement.

The auditorium bell rang, signaling the anniversary's start. Tiffany felt a sense of relief. "Aren't you going in?"

"No hurry," Richard replied, implying he would accompany her.

Chapter 163

Tiffany didn't dwell on it. Two minutes later, Zoe arrived. Tiffany waved, and they set off, with Zoe trailing behind, intimidated by Richard's presence. Tyrone followed even further back. Tiffany found this odd; Richard didn't seem that intimidating.

They walked across the basketball court and into the auditorium, where the principal's speech abruptly halted. His gaze was fervent; Richard Hampton was present! The principal hadn't expected Richard to accept the invitation. The students turned, astonished, as Richard and Tiffany entered. He was devilishly handsome; she was stunning and vibrant—a striking pair. However, their arrival elicited various reactions: surprise, shock, even hatred and jealousy. Unfazed, they took their seats. Richard had been given the best location, and Tiffany, a recent donor of two million dollars, was on the thank-you list.

Tiffany saw Zoe with Ged, relieved. The anniversary celebration proved as tedious as anticipated. She wished she'd arrived later.

"Sleepy?" Richard's deep voice asked.

Tiffany yawned. "A little."

Richard chuckled, glancing at the impatient principal.

Why is this so long? the principal seemed to think, quickly finishing his speech and starting the program. The first act was a popular female singer, whose performance drew enthusiastic cheers. Tiffany noticed Richard's gaze on her throughout the four-minute performance.

"Are you thirsty? Hungry? Sleepy?" Richard asked repeatedly.

"I'm fine," Tiffany assured him.

The remaining program was more concise. Then came the ball, selected by lottery. Many eagerly participated.

Tiffany asked Richard if he was joining. He countered, "Do you want to?"

Tiffany shook her head. "I'm not interested. What if I get someone I hate?"

Richard chuckled. "That makes sense." Tyrone gave a silent thumbs-up. Richard then added, "But how will you know your luck unless you try?" He gestured to Tyrone for a box.

Before Tiffany could react, she drew a ball—number 9. She assumed her luck was bad, but then saw Richard reveal his ball: also number 9. He'd rigged it!

Tiffany laughed angrily. "Yours is a 6, and mine is a 9! Trying to set me up?"

Richard, surprised by her audacity, calmly said, "Be good. Don't let them split up." He pressed the two balls together, merging them into one.

Tiffany was speechless. "That works, too?"