June insisted, “Sir, this is unfair to her! She’s a grown woman, not the innocent child she was two years ago. Let her choose her own path.”

James chuckled. “You think so? Everything I do is for her sake.”

June began to protest, but James cut her off. “No more. Mind your own business.” He turned and left, leaving June with a throat full of unsent words.

Tiffany remained hospitalized for three days, refusing all medication except intravenous fluids. June pleaded repeatedly, “Miss, you won’t heal properly without medication.”

“No, thank you,” Tiffany replied. She wanted to remember the pain. Lying in the large hospital bed, her pale face made her look like a lifeless doll. June, seeing this, retreated.

Zoe arrived that afternoon, crying at the sight of Tiffany. The trauma was evident. “Tiffany, I was terrified!”

“It’s okay,” Tiffany soothed, patting Zoe’s back. Tiffany later learned Zoe had fainted from shock, a fact that filled Tiffany with guilt. “You were hurt because of me. It’s my fault,” she said.

“But Tiffany, what kind of fight were you in? Someone tried to kill you! Do you know who’s behind it?” Zoe asked.

“No idea,” Tiffany shook her head. She hadn’t had time to investigate. Richard had taken her attackers away, their whereabouts unknown.

Zoe seemed to recall something. “I fainted, but Ged told me Mr. Hampton saved us. Is that right?”

“Yes,” Tiffany confirmed. “By the way, is Ged okay? I remember him being kicked several feet away.”

Zoe waved her hand dismissively. “He’s fine. He’s tough.”

Relieved, Tiffany relaxed. After a two-hour visit, Zoe left as darkness fell.

The attempted assassination was kept largely secret. The school silenced students, and Tiffany’s family remained unaware, believing she was staying with a friend.

After dismissing June, who had wanted to stay, Tiffany lay alone in her ward, bored. Memories of the fire—saving Selena’s brother and injuring her leg—brought back the comforting nights Richard had spent by her side. His absence this time weighed heavily on her. She eventually fell asleep.

Unbeknownst to Tiffany, Richard entered through the window—clearly familiar with the layout. He stood silently, wanting to touch her pale face, but remembering James’s words, he withdrew his hand.

James had confronted Richard, wanting to take Tiffany away. Richard, while unwilling, acknowledged James’s point: Whoever Tiffany chose, it wouldn't be him. He decided not to interfere.

Even though he'd resolved to let her go, he'd found himself at the hospital. A few nights of companionship seemed acceptable. Then, Tiffany stirred, causing him to flee.

Thirsty, Tiffany awoke to an empty room. She dismissed it as a dream, unsure what she'd hoped for. She asked for water, but sleep eluded her. Eventually, she got a crutch and left.

June arrived with breakfast to find Tiffany gone. The nurse confirmed Tiffany had left early using crutches. June's suspicion immediately turned to Royal Bay.

She knew Tiffany well. Tiffany had taken a taxi directly to Royal Bay, waiting ten minutes at the entrance before being turned away by Richard. The guard explained that Mr. Hampton wasn't seeing guests.

This was expected. “He’s avoiding me,” Tiffany murmured, disappointed. She saw Richard's figure at an upstairs window and sighed.

She hailed another taxi, slumped in defeat. A servant, who admired her, was saddened by the scene; he considered her perfect for Richard. The situation between them had baffled everyone at Royal Bay, including Richard himself.

Upstairs, John hesitantly suggested to Richard, “Sir, should I send Miss Kelley home? Her injury makes walking difficult. And it’s not good for Royal Bay’s reputation.”

Richard, after a pause, agreed. John, aware this was a pretext, was relieved; he hoped to facilitate a reconciliation. The removal of the seemingly uncaring “reputation” excuse opened a path for resolution. (The final two sentences, advertising a website, were removed as they are irrelevant and disruptive to the text).