Sandra said nothing, only glaring at Zoe before leaving the classroom. She felt she no longer fit in, lacking even a true friend in the large school. Gritting her teeth, she went to the restroom. Midway there, she suddenly remembered her period hadn't arrived that month.

The thought of what had happened with Jordan in the apartment turned her pale. "Could I be pregnant?" she thought. "If I am, and the Booth family needs an heir, at least Jordan's parents won't pick on me." However, the idea of having a child with a man she disliked made her nauseous. "Only God knows how dirty Jordan is! Why would I choose him if I didn't have to?" she thought, growing increasingly frustrated. She wasn't paying attention and bumped into a girl, who quickly apologized. "It's okay," Sandra replied.

Stopping by the walkway, a chilling thought struck her. "It wouldn't be a bad thing if I am pregnant. I could use the child to plan something. If I have a miscarriage, I can get Tiffany to do it! Then Tiffany would be a murderer!" A sly smile crept across her face.

Later that afternoon, Tiffany arrived at the studio for her lesson. Philip, her teacher, was immediately aggrieved. "You still come? You've barely been here—less than two classes!"

"Three," Tiffany countered, rubbing her nose.

"How dare you talk back?"

"I'm wrong," she mumbled, lowering her head.

Philip was both angry and amused. "Don't give me that! You only know how to scare me!"

"I promise to come more often!" Tiffany said seriously. "Mr. Fremont, trust me!"

"What if you don't?"

Tiffany blinked. Philip, enraged, chased her around the studio, hitting her. "You still dare? You brat, you're driving me mad!" Tiffany, though capable of outrunning him, stopped when she saw him panting. She waited obediently to be punished, but Philip couldn't bring himself to strike her. He straightened his face. "I'll bring you to Traron City the day after tomorrow. You're not allowed to mess up!"

Tiffany was puzzled. "Mr. Fremont, why Traron City?"

Traron City was far from Lovell City, but Philip was from there, having only stayed in Lovell City to teach Tiffany. "Do you know the Whispering Winds?" he asked.

"Yes," Tiffany nodded.

The Whispering Winds was renowned, home to the world's top painters. Philip was a core member. Most would be thrilled, but Tiffany said, "What a waste of time…"

Philip, devastated, raised his hand to strike her but couldn't. "Damned girl, are you letting me down? I'm so old, I stayed in Lovell City to nurture a successor! You're good, and you just say you don't want to go. My heart is broken!"

To outsiders, Philip was an acclaimed master, but before Tiffany, he was a vulnerable old man. Tiffany quickly soothed him, promising to go. Relieved, Philip gave her the afternoon off, instructing her to pack and inform her family; he would arrange her leave.

Tiffany told her parents, Charlie and Thalia, who were overjoyed. The Whispering Winds held immense prestige. Tiffany also mentioned Sandra's situation with the Booth family. Charlie and Thalia exchanged knowing glances, their expressions unreadable.

"What's wrong?" Tiffany asked.

"It's okay," Charlie replied, thinking, "Everyone knows Jordan is a wastrel. It's hard to say if he has any diseases, but we can't say it in front of Tiffany." He continued, "It's good she found a home. We don't want her back. I'll send a wedding gift and treat her as a relative."

Thalia agreed. The Kelly family had already shown considerable kindness. Tiffany didn't object.

Back in her room, Tiffany packed, including her disguise and switchblade. A soft knock on her window signaled Richard's arrival. Shocked, she covered her disguise mask. Richard entered, calmly drinking coffee from her cup. Tiffany's gaze was mournful—an indirect kiss. She had indeed learned bad things from Richard.