For Tiffany, such injuries usually healed slowly with a few pills. However, she chose a different method of revenge. โI donโt need medicine. Iโll do the acupuncture!โ she thought. โI canโt go easy on Kenneth, theโฆ!โ
Felicia's heart ached for Kenneth. Seeing June's immediate agreementโ โNo problem! The pay will never be less!โโrelieved her.
โMrs. Harper, please wait outside the ward,โ June said.
โOkay.โ
Felicia hesitated before leaving. It was worth it if she could lessen Kenneth's suffering. June followed her, guarding the ward door. Only Tiffany and Kenneth remained inside.
Kenneth felt disgusted by the "Miracle Healer." He vividly remembered her humiliating him when he'd asked for medicine recently. He hadn't forgotten the incident. Tiffany, however, seemed oblivious. Smiling, she said, โMr. Harper, Iโll begin the acupuncture.โ
โOkay,โ Kenneth replied.
Kenneth, recovering from serious injuries, spoke weakly but coldly. Tiffany inserted the first needle.
It hurt. Excruciatingly.
Kenneth's composure shattered. He stared at Tiffany in disbelief, his forehead veins bulging, his head instantly covered in cold sweat. โAre youโฆ killing me or saving me? Why is it soโฆ painful? Ah!โ
โItโs normal,โ Tiffany replied, spouting nonsense seriously. โSuffer now, feel better later. Like medicineโbitter pills have beneficial effects. Your injury is the same!โ
Kenneth was doubtful, sensing something amiss but unable to articulate it. Before he could, Tiffany inserted a second needleโequally painful. She proceeded to insert the third and fourth needles without his consent.
Kenneth's pain was unbearable; he nearly fainted. When Tiffany finally removed the needles, however, he felt significantly better. It was, as she'd said, pain followed by relief.
Kenneth sighed in relief. Tiffany began packing away the needles, but Kenneth stopped her.
โWait!โ
โAnything else?โ
โYouโฆโ Kenneth hesitated. โMiss Wood, did you see me last night?โ The image of a girl's watery eyes haunted him since waking. Heโd investigated but found nothing; the area lacked surveillance. Yet, in his pain, he blurted the question to Tiffany.
Tiffany didn't turn. โHow is that possible? Mr. Harper, you're overthinking.โ She left.
Kenneth sighed, relieved. โThe girl who saved me is an angel; this woman is a witch!โ he thought.
He then reflected on the girl and the slap sheโd given himโa smile replacing his annoyance. โIโll find you,โ he murmured.
Tiffany and June left, Felicia paying the agreed-upon $600,000. Initially worried about the "Miracle Healerโs" claims, Felicia's doubt vanished upon seeing Kenneth's improved condition.
โNo wonder your father insisted. She lives up to her reputation! You look much better!โ Felicia exclaimed.
Kenneth's mouth twitched. He'd just been tortured; of course he looked good.
Outside, Tiffany bumped into Evan, who'd come to visit Kenneth. He immediately forgot his purpose.
โTiffany, long time no see! I miss you!โ Evan exclaimed.
โReally?โ Tiffany patted his head, smiling gently. โWhereโs your Uncle Richard? Didnโt he come with you?โ Only two servants followed Evan.
โNo, Uncle Richardโs been very busy,โ Evan replied, then whispered, โHis appetiteโs been poor. Tiffany, can you help me?โ
To Evan, Tiffany was a god. Tiffany, about to suggest Sidney instead, saw Evan's pleading look and relented. โOkay, okay.โ
She was taken to Royal Bay. Before entering the villa, she heard piano musicโsoft, sweet, and intoxicatingโher favorite melody. She asked softly, โWhoโs playing?โ
โItโs Uncle Richard!โ
Tiffany praised him silently. He's perfect, she thought.
The music ended. Tiffany entered, surprising Richard. Their eyes metโhis cold, with a hint of a smile.
Tiffany bit her tongue, regretting her visit, especially considering their last encounter as Miracle Healer at Evan's birthday party, and that kiss. She found an excuse to leave. โMr. Hampton, you look fine. I wonโt bother you. Goodbye.โ
She fled, but Lucifer, Richard's pet, pounced. Tiffany was speechless. The pet, sensing its master's scent, rolled playfully, begging for attention. Tiffany gritted her teeth. โDidnโt I tell you not to approach me when you see my faceโฆ?โ