Chapter 517

Tiffany had always believed her fresh start was a blessing. However, she never imagined Richard was the reason for this opportunity. The man she avoided, the man she'd never cared for, was the one who saved her.

Tears streamed down Tiffany's face. She realized the bond between her and Richard had formed long ago

The Treasure Box emitted a dark blue light. A voice echoed in Tiffany's mind: "Master, what do you wish to ask? I can ask for you."

"Ask him why he did it," Tiffany said. Their interactions had been minimal.

The Treasure Box could grant any wish: a lifetime of health, freedom from illness and disaster, eternal youth. He could have had anything. Instead, he wished for her to live again…

The Treasure Box queried. The blue light intensified, the voice ethereal: "Why?"

Richard frowned, considered, then chuckled. "I wanted it to happen. There's no reason." He paused. "Perhaps I found the little girl in the bamboo forest a little ugly and cute."

Or perhaps it was the timid, helpless way she looked like a frightened deer whenever Kenneth brought her to see him. She was disobedient, yet vigilant, darting away whenever he wasn't paying attention. Her clumsy escapes inexplicably softened his heart.

Or maybe it was the purity in her eyes, like a clear lake. Her smile curved her eyes, creating a galaxy he couldn't reach.

If he had to give a reason, there wasn't one. He simply wanted to do it for her.

The Treasure Box's blue light flared. Tiffany felt herself growing lighter, as if returning to the real world. Her body started to become transparent

She hurriedly wiped her tears, hurrying toward Richard. The short distance felt insurmountable due to her fading form.

Tiffany gritted her teeth, finally reaching Richard. Standing on tiptoe, tears streaming down her face, she pressed a kiss—hotter than her tears—to his lips.

She knew he couldn't see, feel, or hear her, but she whispered, "Richard, thank you."

Tears fell silently. Yet, Richard seemed to sense something. He reached out, his slender fingers resting on her cheek.

Tiffany pulled back. Her disappearance was imminent. As her body grew more transparent, she locked eyes with Richard. His gaze remained cold, deep, and sharp, yet imbued with a gentler quality.

The moment their eyes met, he softly laughed. His voice was mellow, his laughter like a summer breeze, autumn wine, winter sun. It transported her to a place of warmth and light.

He said, "Don't cry, little crybaby. Don't let me down this time."

Tiffany was stunned. She wanted to speak, but her body dissolved completely.

She opened her eyes in Royal Bay. Richard lay sleeping on the bed. Tiffany threw herself on him, hugging him tightly, tears flooding her face. "No, no, I won't let you down again…"

He remained unconscious, but his fingers twitched slightly. He seemed to sense her.

Noticing this, Tiffany beamed. She tapped the Treasure Box. "What's next? What should I do?"

The usually quick-witted Treasure Box stammered, "Oh, well…"

'Is this fate unchangeable?' Tiffany worried. Her joy vanished. She pressed the box, threatening, "You promised to save him. If you can't, I'll destroy you."

A blue light flashed. A consciousness entered Tiffany's mind.

"There's a way, a simple one. Link your lives. You'll live and die together, your fates and minds intertwined. The method is to sleep together."

The Treasure Box's consciousness chuckled, in a suggestive tone: "Master, you understand. Aha."

Tiffany's mouth twitched. 'Sleeping together means sex, right?' she thought, her ears burning crimson.

"That's too much. Am I taking advantage of him?" she pondered, yet an inexplicable excitement stirred within her. Her heart pounded.

The Treasure Box's blue light dimmed, entering sleep mode. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn.

Tiffany gazed at Richard's beautiful face, sharp brows, and starry eyes. She couldn't tire of his handsome features, tightly pursed lips, alluring collarbone, and sexy Adam's apple. He was breathtakingly handsome.

Touching his face, she grew bolder. Carefully, she began unbuttoning his shirt. His physique was perfect, muscles smooth, abs clearly defined.

Her face flushed as she continued. Then, her hand was caught. She looked up in shock to see Richard's eyes, previously closed, now wide open, burning with intensity.

Her cheeks blazed. Caught red-handed, she stammered, "Don't get the wrong idea. I want to treat your…"

"Yes?" A lazy, pleasant, magnetic voice responded. Richard's Adam's apple bobbed as he smiled faintly. "Go on then."

Tiffany was speechless. There was no turning back. Hesitating, she couldn't move her hand, yet inaction would only cause Richard pain.

Richard sighed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He took her hand and continued where she left off. His breathing grew rapid.

Mortified, Tiffany was about to flee when a powerful force swept over her. Richard, unable to contain himself, pulled her close and kissed her.