Sidney's sincerity and politeness surprised everyone. He was the heir to the prestigious Pauley family, possessing exceptional medical skills. People went to great lengths to secure an appointment with him. Sidney didn't need to ingratiate himself with anyone; he was at the pinnacle of success. Yet, he was extending extraordinary courtesy to the Kelleys.

The man who had previously been dismissive and rude was utterly stunned. He was about to intervene when Sidney silenced him with a withering glare.

"Leave. You're not wanted here," Sidney snapped, effectively firing him.

Thalia and Eric, astonished by Sidney's decisive action, looked at Tiffany questioningly: "Whoa, how do you know him? What's going on? Is he on our side?"

Tiffany was as bewildered as they were. She and Sidney barely knew each other, having met only once before. She had no idea why he was suddenly so accommodating. She could only conclude it was because of Richard.

Following an intuition, Tiffany looked up. A tall, lean man with an air of mystery and elegance leaned against a wall in the adjacent hallway. Even from behind, she sensed his powerful aura, an invisible force keeping others at a distance.

As if sensing her gaze, Richard turned. Their eyes met, and he offered a subtle smirk. Tiffany was captivated by his striking appearance: impeccably handsome, with a captivatingly aloof yet desirable demeanor. His effortless swagger was undeniably alluring.

Snapping out of it, Tiffany turned to Sidney. "Thanks, Mr. Pauley. Could you give my mother a check-up?" she asked. Then, nudging Eric, she added, "I need to use the restroom. Eric, stay with Mom, okay?"

As Tiffany rushed off, Thalia called, "Hey, the restroom's the other way!"

Sidney chuckled and guided them. "Alright, Mrs. Kelley, let's go to my office. We'll get to the bottom of what's troubling you."

Tiffany hurried to the other hallway and found Richard still leaning against the railing. The overhead lights enhanced his features, softening his sharp jawline. He looked like he'd stepped out of a magazine. She approached him and murmured, "Hey, uh, thanks again for your help."

Richard looked at her, noting her flushed cheeks and breathlessness. Raising an eyebrow, he teased, "Don't tell me you tracked me down just to ask about dinner again." He emphasized "again," highlighting her previous attempts.

Tiffany, feeling caught, admitted her intentions. Richard clearly had a good memory. She had mentioned dinner before but never followed through.

"So, any plans for tomorrow?" she asked sweetly.

Richard was pleased she didn't resort to the usual avoidance tactic that annoyed him. "Why wait? Let's have dinner tonight," he replied eagerly.

After arranging their dinner plans, Tiffany asked, "By the way, what brings you to the hospital today?"

Richard pointed to his stomach. It then occurred to Tiffany that Richard had been seriously injured in the past, though he'd kept it quiet. Understanding the sensitive nature of the situation, she didn't press further. "Well, I'll see you later. I should go." She waved and left.

As Tiffany disappeared, Richard fell into thought. He'd recently helped her find Stan and had been discreetly observing her. He was curious about her true motives. The results surprised him, but not entirely. She possessed a depth that kept him guessing.

By the time Tiffany returned, Sidney had completed the check-up. Thalia's condition was minor—low blood count causing reduced oxygen to the brain. Sidney prescribed rest and a follow-up appointment.

After thanking Sidney, Tiffany and Thalia left. On the drive home, Thalia asked about Tiffany's connection to Mr. Pauley. Eric then mentioned seeing Tiffany talking to a very handsome man.

Tiffany deflected any questions about Sidney, stating they barely knew each other and that he was repaying a favor. She omitted Richard's involvement, aware of his influence in Lovell City and its potential impact on her mother.

Thalia dismissed it, understanding teenage secrecy. She beamed with pride at her daughter's apparent popularity. Eric enthusiastically agreed, showering Tiffany with praise. They spent the rest of the ride laughing and chatting.

That evening, Tiffany dressed up, telling her parents she was meeting a friend. While waiting at the restaurant, she saw a distraught man crying near a bank. She recognized him as Caleb Foster, a former creative planning company owner whose business had failed due to embezzlement and his daughter's medical expenses.

In her previous life, Kenneth had helped Caleb. This time, Tiffany saw an opportunity. She approached Caleb and offered him twelve million dollars in exchange for a deal. The altered timeline presented a chance for Tiffany to intervene before Kenneth did.

(The final sentence, and the repeated website advertisement, have been removed as they are irrelevant to the cleaned-up passage.)