Tiffany, still dazed, saw Richard extend his hand. "Come on," he said. Under the light, his face was handsome, a faint, gentle, and seductive smile playing on his lips. Tiffany slowly extended her hand in return.
In the vast auditorium, couples already found their partners and took to the dance floor. The music flowed smoothly, creating a harmonious atmosphere. A beam of light shone down, illuminating Richard, handsome and cool, as he led Tiffany onto the dance floor. In the eyes of the onlookers, Richard was an unattainable dream, an unreachable man—no woman seemed worthy to stand by his side. Yet, Tiffany appeared, a radiant light, even more dazzling than the spotlight, as if she held the galaxy within her. She possessed a powerful aura and a tacit understanding with Richard that others couldn't match, eliciting indescribable envy and admiration.
"They they're so perfect," someone murmured in the crowd.
Hidden in the shadows, beyond the reach of the light, Kenneth clutched a basketball so tightly that the number 9 was distorted. He silently stared at the elegant couple on the dance floor, his dark, unreadable eyes betraying a flash of intense resentment across his handsome face. After a long moment, he threw the ball into a trash can and stormed out of the auditorium.
Zoe and Ged, hiding in a corner, watched Kenneth's angry departure. Whispering together, Zoe exclaimed indignantly, "Don't you think men are despicable? When you chase them, they ignore you. When you stop, who the hell do they think they are?!"
Ged corrected her, "Can you not accidentally insult your allies? I'm a man too. Only Kenneth is cheap. That bastard is unkind, but that doesn't apply to other men."
"Alright, alright. In any case, we have a common enemy. Let's scold that scum together!" Zoe said.
"Kenneth is blind! A bastard like him doesn't deserve Tiffany's attention!" Ged added.
"Well said!" Zoe clapped in agreement.
On the dance floor, Tiffany, aware of the jealous stares, sighed, "Alright, I'll be everyone's eyesore again today."
Richard chuckled, teasingly beginning, "You were"
"Cough, cough" Tiffany interrupted, giving him a blatant, disgruntled look. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Her glare was playfully coquettish, causing Richard's Adam's apple to tighten involuntarily. His self-control around Tiffany was always nonexistent. She wasn't overtly seductive, yet possessed a fatal attraction, an unconscious allure that was captivating. He forced his gaze away, unable to look at her.
Tiffany, feeling suddenly dismissed, was dumbfounded. Before she could speak, they stumbled, Richard maintaining his balance while Tiffany fell into his arms.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" she gritted her teeth.
Seeing the growing number of onlookers, Tiffany, blushing, pulled away from Richard; however, she saw his lips curl into a deeper smile. She left the dance floor and sat down to drink. Richard followed, but before he could speak, Tyrone rushed over, whispering, "Mr. Hampton, bad news. I just received a call. Something's happened at Hampton Manor."
Richard's expression darkened. "Have fun," he said to Tiffany, ruffling her hair before leaving.
Tiffany watched him go, worried. She'd overheard Tyrone; something had happened at Hampton Manor. Could it be Hank? Distressed, she decided to leave. After telling Zoe and Ged, she hurried to Luna Villa.
It was 9:30 PM. June was surprised to see her. "Miss, why are you back tonight?"
"Came back to check," Tiffany replied, going upstairs. After changing, she resumed her identity as the Miracle Healer, waiting for a call. If something had happened to Hank, Richard might need her.
Two hours passed with no calls. Tiffany sighed in relief; she'd overreacted. "June, go to sleep," she said, casually asking, "Is Jeremy in his room? Are his injuries better?"
June shook her head. "He's not here. He went out before you returned. He's always so mysterious."
"He's not back yet?"
"No."
Tiffany frowned. Several hours had passed since Jeremy's injury. Was he in danger? She couldn't sit still. "I'll go look for him." She grabbed the dagger James had given her and, after a moment's thought, the bow and arrow Richard had gifted her—the "Galaxy," a small, beautiful bow. She’d recently replaced the arrows and feathers with ordinary ones to conceal her identity.
June immediately followed, "Miss, I'll go with you." (The website plug was removed.) Her duty was to protect Tiffany.
"Alright," Tiffany nodded. (She couldn't drive.)
At midnight, Luna Villa's door opened, and the black car sped off. Tiffany smelled a faint medicinal fragrance and pointed. "Drive there." Jeremy had the life-saving pills she'd given him; the scent was unique, only detectable by her. The fragrance was fading, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact location. Worry gnawed at her. She hoped she was wrong.
Meanwhile, at Hampton Manor, Hank coughed, revealing blood on his handkerchief. He wasn't ill; he was furious. A group of assassins had infiltrated the manor two hours earlier, attacking relentlessly. The bodyguards were overwhelmed until Richard arrived, quelling the chaos and capturing the assassins. Hank's interrogation revealed a shocking answer