Chapter 383
Tiffany's heart raced. She thought, "Could it really be that Richard orchestrated this entire display of hot air balloons?" If he had, every woman in Lovell City would be losing her mind. Among the hundreds of balloons, one was larger and more breathtaking than all the others, its colors and designs distinct, floating gracefully toward them. A sharp-eyed woman gasped, "It looks like that one's about to land!"
Indeed, the largest balloon was descending. Simultaneously, the glass ceiling of the hotel's rooftop opened, transforming the enclosed space into an open-air terrace. Minutes later, the grand balloon touched down as everyone held their breath, anticipation and excitement filling the air. Women looked on, green with envy, while Melody basked in their admiration, her face alight with bashful joy. Then, in the midst of it all, the tall, elegant figure of a man stepped off the hot air balloon.
With chiseled features, piercing eyes, and a faint, charming smile, his presence held a magnetic allure, captivating and breathtaking everyone. The surrounding murmurs faded to silence. Under the weight of his lazy yet intense gaze, every guest felt compelled to bow; his quiet dominance made their knees weak.
It was Richard! As Kenneth's uncle, his presence wasn't surprising. But with such a grand display of hot air balloons, the timing felt oddly out of place. Many in the crowd looked down or averted their gaze, unsure of what to make of this unexpected turn.
Richard moved unhurriedly toward Tiffany. Sitting atop the balloon, John snapped his fingers, and suddenly bubbles floated down from all directions, filling the air as if the city had been transformed into a dreamscape. Under the sunlight, the bubbles shimmered with rainbow hues, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. Lovell City itself became a spectacle, filled with floating balloons and streets alive with sparkling bubbles.
On the hotel rooftop, Richard stood before Tiffany, a gentle smile on his handsome face, his presence so captivating that onlookers couldn't tear their eyes away. In the crowd, a few young women covered their mouths, whispering in disbelief, "What is Mr. Hampton doing?" Everyone had their own guesses.
Then, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Richard dropped to one knee. In his palm lay a diamond ring so brilliant it left the audience breathless. A collective gasp arose as the crowd took in the scene. No one would have thought the untouchable Richard was actually proposing in public. This is the same man known for being aloof and unpredictable, yet here he was, showing a gentle side that hardly fitted his ruthless reputation. The guests were in awe, jaws dropping. Someone gasped, "Isn't that the Eternal Azure? The diamond auctioned off for 500 million dollars not long ago?" Every woman's eyes filled with jealousy.
This rare gem, symbolic of an eternal, unchanging love, attracted immense attention. Just last month, when it went on sale, it was immediately snapped up for an astounding 500 million dollars. Few people could afford such a purchase, sparking curiosity about the mysterious buyer's identity. It had been Richard, the incomparably wealthy Richard Hampton. Men looked on in awe, while women fumed with envy and disbelief.
"I wonder what tricks Tiffany pulled to make the notoriously reserved Mr. Hampton propose to her in front of everyone." "Right? She probably used the same shameless tactics she did with Mr. Harper, clinging to him until she finally landed in Mr. Hampton's bed." "Such a disgrace."
Jealous whispers swirled around her, but Tiffany remained remarkably calm. At that moment, Richard, still kneeling elegantly, gave a soft chuckle and said, "Miss Kelley, don't you think it's time to make this official?"
He didn't ask her to marry him. Instead, he asked her to grant him the honor of being hers. The women watching, consumed with jealousy, paled. They thought, "What? Tiffany hasn't been chasing Mr. Hampton? It is Mr. Hampton who has pursued her?" They didn't know why Tiffany could make a man like Richard fall for her so deeply.
Amid the growing noise, Tiffany tuned everything out. She looked at Richard, and after a moment, a gentle smile formed on her lips as she gracefully extended her hand.
"All right, from today on, you're mine," Tiffany said.
"With pleasure." Richard's lips lifted into a satisfied smile as he slid the…