Chapter 423
Tiffany's provocative comments infuriated the dozen or so suited assailants. They'd hoped to use her antagonism to galvanize themselves, but as the fight wore on, they realized she was toying with them. She could have quickly defeated them all, but instead, she feinted, tricking them into accidentally hitting each other. This was sinister, cunning, and shameless.
To make matters worse, she clearly held the upper hand, her condescending expression revealing her contempt for their incompetence. She treated them like bumbling fools. Furious, they were powerless against her.
Sensing their frustration, Tiffany asked with mock innocence, "Why? Want a quick end? Should've said so earlier." She then kicked the nearest assailant, sending him flying with a wretched scream.
The remaining assailants stared at each other in shock. They'd underestimated her. They signaled, then simultaneously threw something to the ground. A cloud of smoke erupted.
Tiffany was surprised by their preparedness—smoke grenades. The smoke filled the area, creating zero visibility. Outnumbered and blinded, she was at a disadvantage.
As she prepared to parry incoming strikes, a strong gust of wind dispersed the fog. Moonlight revealed Richard Hampton, handsome and imposing, like a god descending.
The sight of him shocked the assailants, causing them to abandon their mission and flee. Richard's deep, icy voice boomed, "Those who mess with my woman will pay with their lives." A cloud of sand and dust erupted. Before Tiffany knew it, his coat enveloped her, its fresh scent filling her nostrils. His voice, close to her ear, was both overbearing and seductive: "No peeking."
Tiffany meekly agreed, remaining obediently still as she tried to locate the source of distant, muffled screams. The wind and screams eventually subsided, replaced by a familiar, refreshing presence.
Tiffany blinked. "Are you done?"
"Mm-hmm. Let's go." Richard put his arm around her waist, keeping the coat in place. Tiffany removed it herself, only to be shocked: she was home!
"Holy shit!" she whispered. She'd been in the remote suburbs; now, she was at her front door. Had it been an illusion? Or had she suffered amnesia?
Disbelieving, she stared at Richard. "You… you…" She couldn't find the words. It was instant teleportation!
Excited, she grabbed his lapels. "Can you do it again?"
Richard raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly. "What's the magic word?"
"Plea… Hubby!" she corrected herself, clinging to him. "Please, can you do it again? I didn't get a good look!"
Richard was about to agree when the villa door swung open, revealing a furious Charlie Kelley. The couple stared helplessly. Richard muttered, "Plan backfired. If I'd known, I wouldn't have sent my wife home so quickly."
Tiffany quickly distanced herself. She couldn't be affectionate in front of her father. Whispering to Richard, she said, "Another day. Drive safely."
Charlie, still glaring, finally mumbled, "Drink? Richard?"
Richard replied, "Thank you, but not today. A few days." He had the engagement party, and plenty of time to bond later. He would then enter the Kelley home with his head held high. He bid Charlie farewell. Charlie, though slightly glum, felt gratified. Richard, despite his status, was humble, polite, and respectful. A father-in-law couldn't ask for more.
Charlie secretly decided: next time, he'd pretend not to see.
At her mountain villa, Morwen Xanthus admired her freshly manicured nails. She assumed her target was dead. This was the price for stealing what was hers. Tonight, the Azure Sea Royal Family would have no more princesses. The Kelley girl would also perish. No one would stand in her way.
She was about to bed when a maid frantically knocked. "Miss Xanthus, bad news!"
"Come in."
"The men… they've disappeared. Only one returned. He said… they failed, and he received a warning letter…"
Morwen asked, "A letter? From whom? Show me!"
The maid handed over a blood-stained note with a single line. Morwen's eyes widened. All but one of her men were dead. Richard Hampton had intervened. He'd even issued a warning. Morwen's face paled; she lacked the energy to vent her anger.
The maid, out of curiosity, glanced at the letter and paled. The black devil's trumpet motif was Richard Hampton's mark—a warning of brutal death.