There's an old saying: the more a mother-in-law sees her son-in-law, the more she likes him. Thalia had met Richard several times before. Initially, she assumed someone of his stature would be difficult to befriend. After all, rumors painted him as having unpredictable moods and an intimidating presence.

However, after spending time with him, she found Richard possessed impeccable manners, remarkable for someone only twenty-five and already at the pinnacle of wealth and success. While outwardly distant and reserved, he was steady, composed, and consistently kind and respectful to her and her husband.

Furthermore, Thalia was confident. Not one to boast, but considering Tiffany's striking beauty and sharp intelligence, it was hard to believe the famously aloof Richard wasn't interested in her. He had, after all, generously awarded the Kelley family the fiercely competitive Old Alley renovation project without imposing strict conditions or demands—a seemingly casual decision. This included his humility in treating them with the respect due to elders. It wasn't a coincidence; it was clearly because of Tiffany. While Charlie didn't see it, Thalia did.

Charlie paused, then said, "You're overthinking it, honey. Mr. Hampton isn't someone we can get close to easily. He demands respect, in Lovell City or anywhere else."

The Kelley family, in comparison, was worlds apart from him. Charlie shook his head, dismissing the thought.

He noticed Thalia's expression harden. "Are you saying our daughter isn't good enough for him?" she asked.

"No, no, no! Our daughter is a stunning beauty; she's more than a match for anyone!" Charlie replied.

"Well, then that settles it!" Thalia declared.

"However…" Charlie began, but seeing her expression, he feared another night in the guest room. He quickly changed his tune: "Yes! Whatever you say, honey!"

"That's more like it," Thalia said, smiling.

Just then, Eric came downstairs, looking confused. He'd spilled oil on himself while eating and had gone to clean up. He wondered what had transpired during his absence. Seeing his parents embracing on the sofa, he facepalmed and returned upstairs, sighing inwardly, "This lovey-dovey display is unbearable."

Late that night, Tiffany sat on her bed, gazing at the unlocked window, its curtains half-drawn. A breeze stirred the delicate pink sheers, bringing a chill into the room.

The difference now was the absence of a familiar presence. No one casually entered, smiling at Tiffany. Habits, she realized, could be terrifying. She'd grown accustomed to his presence without realizing it, and now everything felt like it had reverted to the status quo.

Tiffany shook her head, switched off the light, and closed her eyes. Unbeknownst to her, across the street at Cedar Ridge Villa, a tall figure leaned against a lush oak tree. Hidden by the dense foliage, he remained unnoticed until Tiffany's light went out. Then, he silently left.

Tiffany woke up dizzy the next morning, having kicked off her blanket during the night. She had a cold, but considered it too minor for medication. After breakfast, she went to school.

Surprisingly, due to the pleasant weather, classes were canceled in favor of an outdoor sketching activity—a disguised field trip welcomed by students after a monotonous period of classes. The destination was a picturesque rural village in Lovell City.

Tiffany and Zoe boarded the nearly full school bus. Ged called, "Over here!" He'd claimed three seats in the back.

On the bus, someone discreetly tried to trip Tiffany. Her reflexes were sharp, however. She noticed the outstretched foot but pretended not to. This emboldened the boy. As she approached, he anticipated her fall.

Instead, Tiffany stepped directly on his foot. He yelped in pain. Before he could react, she grabbed him by the neck, pulled him from his seat, and punched him in the face, drawing blood.

The other students were shocked and intervened. "Tiffany, why did you hit him?" "Isn't that excessive?" "We're classmates! Why the bullying?"

With a faint smile, Tiffany gave them a cold look. "Unconvinced?" Her demeanor radiated arrogance and disdain; her gaze was sharp and intense.

The indignant group fell silent, intimidated. Kenneth was about to speak when Melody intervened, surprisingly defending Tiffany: "Could there be a misunderstanding? I believe Tiffany isn't that kind of person." Her calm voice diffused the tension.

The bloodied boy retorted, "What misunderstanding? She's overbearing, attacking without reason!" He conveniently omitted his attempt to trip her. No one had seen his actions.

The atmosphere turned against Tiffany. While no one directly confronted her, simmering anger was palpable.

Tiffany ignored them. "If you can't prove it, shut up. I'll bully the weak. Got it?" She walked to the back where Ged waited.

The others returned to their seats. The boy dabbed his nose, exchanging a brief, uneasy glance with Melody before the incident was effectively forgotten.

The bus departed for the rural village. Picturesque villages nestled among mountains and lush greenery passed by.

Upon arrival, the students dispersed. Tiffany, finding a melon shed, sat to sketch, enjoying the breeze. Ged and Zoe stayed with her, and, unexpectedly, Melody joined them.

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