Chapter 519

Richard carefully considered the past. He couldn't pinpoint when it began. Perhaps it started when he felt pity for the little girl, accidentally bumping into her a few times. So frightened was she, that she forgot to cry; her eyes were red as she fled in panic.

Initially, he paid little attention, finding it mildly amusing. However, encountering her in the suburban forest revealed a transformation. This supposedly weak and helpless girl displayed cunning and scheming. He found himself drawn to her, falling for her without realizing when it happened.

After finishing his story, Richard's expression turned serious. He added, "If I had known two years ago that you would be mine, I would have claimed you long ago."

Tiffany felt a lump in her throat. "It's enough," she said. "You've done so much." She hadn't interacted with him in her previous life, yet he'd suppressed the Harper family, dealt with Stan's family, and ultimately killed Felix—all to avenge her. He'd even painstakingly secured her chance at another life. Fortunately, in this life, she hadn't disappointed him.

Tiffany blinked away tears. The atmosphere was warm, but her stomach growled inopportunely. "I'm hungry," she admitted. After such a long time, how could she not be? Lacking the strength to go downstairs, she koala-hugged Richard's neck, wearily pleading, "Can you carry me downstairs?"

"Okay," Richard said, bending to lift her. He carried her downstairs, where the servants had prepared a sumptuous dinner. Their stunned expressions hinted at their surprise. "Weren't they arguing just now? How did they reconcile so quickly?" they seemed to wonder.

Tiffany, placed at the dining table, was ravenous. She began eating immediately. Richard chuckled, peeling prawns and placing the meat on her plate, then cutting her steak. His attentive behavior was unprecedented. The servants exchanged shocked glances.

(This section is repeated in the original, so I have removed the duplication.)

Richard, despite his power and status, didn't need to perform such tasks. He was known for his obsession with cleanliness and hatred of greasy foods. Yet, he repeatedly compromised his preferences, not only peeling prawns but also instructing the cooks, upon seeing Tiffany's reaction to a dish, "From now on, prepare all dishes to Mrs. Hampton's taste."

The servants were again shocked. They'd expected Richard to never forgive Tiffany, but he'd addressed her as "Mrs. Hampton," indirectly declaring her as the sole hostess of Royal Bay—a permanent state of affairs.

Tiffany, engrossed in her meal, largely ignored their stares. Only after finishing did she feel truly alive again.

"Alright, it's late. I should go," she said, stretching and kissing Richard's cheek. "Don't worry," she smiled, "I won't leave you." This was her pledge to take responsibility, to see things through to the end.

Richard smiled, offering no objection. He drove her back to Luna Villa, and before departing, embraced and kissed her.

Tiffany, touching her swollen lips, entered the villa, finding James and June in the living room, distracted from their chess game, the board a chaotic mess. "James, June, I'm back," she announced.

"Tiffany!" James exclaimed, turning around. "When did you return? Why didn't you tell us?"

Tiffany touched her nose. Her flight had arrived that morning, but Richard had whisked her away from the airport. Later, worried about his injuries, she'd rushed back for the Treasure Box and left without saying goodbye. "I returned this morning, thenthen I went to Royal Bay," she admitted, expecting James to frown at the mention of Richard. Instead, he asked, "How is Mr. Hampton now?"

Tiffany sensed his knowledge. "James," she asked, "do you know about Richard's injury?"

"Yes," he nodded, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "I wasn't sure initially, but seeing your safe return confirmed my suspicions. His actions are dangerous; one misstep could cost him his life."

He hadn't expected Richard to go to such lengths for Tiffany. No wonder he refused my request for that stone a few days ago. He was offering himself as a substitute, James thought.

James sighed, revealing the results of his divination for her.

Even though Tiffany knew something of it already, hearing this inescapable fate again frightened her.

June nodded, offering comfort. "Fortunately, it's over. The death omen is resolved. No one will threaten you in the future."

"No," Tiffany countered, a mocking glint in her eyes. "There are still some." She listed Felix, Morwen, Melody, and Grelle as future problems, requiring individual attention.

Sitting on the sofa, she rearranged the chess pieces, transforming the dead end into a controllable situation. After all, aren't we all chess pieces in this vortex? she mused. She casually moved several pieces, taking a few of her opponent's.

June, unable to decipher her thoughts, asked, "Tiffany, who do you want to deal with next?"

"Many people," Tiffany yawned lazily, then asked, "By the way, June, are more people online scolding me today?" Since the engagement party, she'd faced daily online abuse. Richard's intervention had quelled the engagement party scandal, but what about today's airport incident? She'd pushed Grelle in front of everyone, anticipating intense online backlash.