Chapter 427

Richard chuckled, catching Tiffany's incoming punch. Tiffany tried to pull away, but his grasp was firm. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. Fortunately, a knock came at the door.

"Mr. Hampton, Mr. Hank is here. He's throwing a tantrum. Should I let him in?" John Ross called out.

Richard frowned, his expression instantly clouded. He'd meticulously prepared for today's engagement party, anticipating no setbacks. The old man knew his intentions—why the trouble?

"Wait here. I'll be right back." He gently pinched Tiffany's face, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

After he left, Tiffany's styling team returned, barely concealing their amusement as they examined her makeup. Finally, they smiled, teasing, "Whew! Your makeup's not ruined this time!"

Tiffany blushed. Just as she was about to reply, a thought made her frown: Where was Eric? Her clingy younger brother would undoubtedly have sought her out upon arriving at the hotel. She'd been there a while, yet hadn't seen him.

Although the hotel security was tight, she preferred to be safe than sorry. Gathering her gown, she dashed out. The surprised styling team called after her, "Ma'am, where are you going?"

Tiffany didn't reply. She immediately bumped into a waiter. Before she could speak, he said, "Miss Kelley, your brother accidentally fell into the pool and was taken to a guest room. Do you want to check on him?" 'Fell into the pool?' Tiffany's heart sank. "Take me there now!"

"This way," the waiter hurried.

The hotel was entirely reserved; no other guests were present. The guest room section was empty and quiet. The deeper they went, the more suspicious Tiffany became. John Ross, head of security, should have known about Eric's fall. Even if he didn't report every incident, he wouldn't hide this from her. Unless… Tiffany's eyes sharpened. Following the waiter, she asked, "How did he fall? Which pool?"

"I don't know. When I arrived, Mr. Eric was soaked and shivering. Mr. Kelley took him to the guest room to change." The waiter continued walking. "Fortunately, nothing serious. Don't worry."

Tiffany remained suspicious, despite the impeccable explanation. However, after carefully sniffing the air, she detected Eric's usual soap scent. The waiter hadn't lied; Eric had been there. Perhaps she was being paranoid. She felt more at ease.

The waiter stopped at a room and bowed. "This is it. I'll leave now. If you need anything, press the service bell."

"Thank you." Detecting Eric's scent, Tiffany opened the unlocked door.

"Eric?" The guest room was spacious and beautifully decorated, but there was no answer. She entered, leaving the door open.

"Eric?" Rounding a corner into a bright living room, she saw a sinister-looking man with a black tabby cat on his lap.

Tiffany gasped. Alarm bells rang. The man was Felix Quaid!

"Did you lure me here?" She saw Eric lying motionless on a bed in the adjacent bedroom. Checking his pulse and breathing, she breathed a sigh of relief—nothing unusual. Her parents, Charlie and Thalia Kelley, were also asleep on a nearby bed, their breathing even and faces calm. Tiffany's anger surged.

Turning to Felix, she said, "If you have a grudge, take it out on me. Don't hurt my family!"

This man was insane. He'd used the black tabby before, to lure her to see Sandra Olson was alive. Then, she'd been uncertain of his intentions. Now, there was no doubt: he was her enemy. Felix smiled, watching her reaction. "Young lady, a deal?" 'Deal? Dream on!' Tiffany hissed, "Get lost!"

Felix's tabby arched its back, yowling threateningly, ready to attack. Tiffany turned to her parents, trying unsuccessfully to rouse them. They wouldn't wake, despite her shouting and prodding. The same was true for Eric. If they weren't breathing, she would have thought Felix had…

"What did you do to them?" She still had some rationality. Otherwise, she would have attacked, despite knowing she was no match for him. Felix smiled languidly. "I only gave them a good nap and a wonderful dream."

It hit Tiffany at once. "Hypnosis?"

The book she'd been reading was about hypnosis. The truly powerful used it to control others, turning them into walking corpses. Those with weak willpower lost consciousness, completely controlled. Even those with strong wills could have their actions controlled. This was more terrifying than mind-control spells.

Felix looked mildly surprised. "I didn't expect you to know so much."

Tiffany took a deep breath, hating herself for rushing out without her phone or Jeremy Cooper's amulet. Her only hope was the service bell. She pretended to talk to Felix to distract him. "I don't have any grudges against you." She discreetly rang the bell. If the waiter answered, she could call for help. Otherwise, she couldn't rescue them alone.

The bell beeped twice and cut off. The waiter who'd led her there appeared. "Master, we haven't much time." He was Felix's henchman.