Chapter 362
“Question? What is the question?” Tiffany was momentarily confused. Seeing his expression grow increasingly dangerous, she suddenly remembered Richard’s late-night visit before his departure. He’d climbed through her window and asked, “When I come back, I’ll marry you, okay?”
“Oh, shit.” Tiffany’s memory flooded back, and her eyes darted around. After considering her phrasing, she replied, “But I told you I’m still in school. Isn’t it a little too early to get married?”
Richard’s expression instantly brightened. As long as it isn't a rejection. This reason is barely acceptable! he thought.
Richard nodded and said, in his usual domineering tone, “Then let’s get engaged.” He needed to give her a title, to let everyone know she was his.
When Tiffany heard this, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You’ve already decided, why are you asking?” she said, her voice strained.
Richard pinched her chin and caressed her lips with his thumb. “I’ll give you a chance to go back on your word. If you say you don’t want to, I won’t force you.” But if she was willing…
Tiffany blinked and asked, “Why should I go back on my word?”
With that, she grabbed Richard’s collar, forcing him to bend over. Tiptoeing, she kissed him, her actions conveying her determination.
Their kiss was like honey, clouds, and soft, delicious jelly—fleeting but sweet.
Tiffany took a step back and smiled slyly. “How is it, Mr. Hampton? Are you satisfied with my answer?”
Richard’s eyes burned, a light dancing in their dark depths, a fire gradually igniting.
“Satisfied, but not enough,” he chuckled, his magnetic voice alluring and pleasant.
Before Tiffany could react, he ran his hand through her hair, grasped the back of her head, and kissed her hard. Their ears and hair brushed as they kissed.
Tiffany could take no more and almost collapsed, but he held her waist, hugging her tighter. After a long time, he released her. His cold, handsome face was filled with unprecedented joy.
“Tiffany, listen up.” He called her name, his tone serious, domineering, and affectionate. “I’ll never let you go in this life.”
They would be together forever. He swore on his life to protect her for all eternity, pledging his supreme loyalty and promising never to betray her.
Tiffany’s eyelashes trembled slightly. In Richard’s eyes, she saw love, respect, and a doting adoration as if she were a rare treasure. She didn’t regret her decision at all. She was even glad to have found warmth in this cold world.
Tiffany opened her mouth to speak when her vision darkened, and she fell into his arms.
Part 2
Richard picked Tiffany up and left. Not far away, the cruise ship was still moored by the river.
The lights flashed. Lifeboats and lifeguards searched the water, diving up and down, but found nothing.
Kenneth was among the search teams, diving repeatedly. Even after hours, he didn’t rest.
Thalia had been sent to the hospital. Melody remained, watching a figure bobbing in the water, filled with anxiety. “Kenneth, come up quickly!”
Kenneth ignored her and dived again.
“Kenneth, Kenneth!” Melody stamped her feet anxiously on the deck.
A man watching the commotion said, “It’s been so long. She’s sunk to the bottom. There’s no way she can be saved. Even if she’s fished out, she’s just a corpse. Why…”
Charlie, who had been motionless, stood up suddenly when he heard this and punched the man’s nose. “You’re the fucking corpse! Nothing will happen to my daughter! Nothing will happen to her!” He emphasized it twice, unsure if he was speaking for others or lying to himself.
The man, realizing he was in trouble, covered his profusely bleeding nose and ran away cursing.
Charlie rushed to the deck. Looking at the calm, wide river, he knelt, shouting with tears in his eyes, “Tiffany, Tiffany, where are you…” A successful, calm, and composed man was now a father weeping for his lost daughter.
“Dad…” Melody knelt to help him, but Charlie waved her away.
“Go. Leave me alone.” Charlie’s body trembled, a silent cry.
Melody’s hand froze. After a long while, she stood and retreated, tears in her eyes, but not before offering comfort: “Dad, don’t be too sad. I believe Tiffany will be fine. She will definitely be fine.”
It’s better to drown her! Melody’s heart twisted with intense hatred and madness. No one knew how happy she was. Tiffany couldn’t swim, so Melody had dragged her into the river. Originally, she'd planned to force Thalia into a difficult choice if she attempted a rescue, but Tiffany had actually drowned. Melody covered her mouth, pretending to cry while inwardly laughing.
The search and rescue team searched for a long time, finding nothing. They could only call a professional salvage team. The guards and most searchers had left. Only Kenneth persisted, his mind blank, Thalia’s tearful words echoing, “Save my daughter. She doesn’t know how to swim…”
Tiffany’s fatal weakness was probably water. So, upon hearing she’d fallen in, he'd jumped in without thinking. He knew the outcome would be tragic, but only one thought remained: The longer I delay, the more danger Tiffany will be in. I have to find her as soon as possible!
Kenneth dived again, but this time his legs cramped, and he choked on the water. The last rescuer to reach shore immediately saved him.
Kenneth struggled. “Let me go, let me go!” He didn’t want to give up.
Melody ran over and hugged him. “Kenneth, Kenneth, don’t be silly. It’s already like this. It’s not your fault. If you want to blame someone, blame me!” She cried pitifully, her face full of self-reproach.
This is a significantly improved version with corrected grammar, punctuation, and improved flow. The italicized sections were internal thoughts, which I've preserved but indicated clearly. The final character (宙) is not translatable and was removed.