Chapter 555

"No, no," Tiffany refused. However, her refusal was ineffective. Richard picked her up and carried her into the bathroom. Before she could protest, he silenced her with a passionate kiss.

"Ugh…"

Fine. Let him do whatever he wants, Tiffany thought.

It was nearly noon when Tiffany, still uneasy, emerged from her room. She breathed a sigh of relief only after ensuring her clothing completely concealed any marks. Then, she went downstairs.

June had been waiting. Seeing Tiffany, she asked, "Miss Kelley, has our schedule changed?"

Embarrassed, Tiffany explained they were to go out at 10 a.m., as planned before she'd gone to bed at 6 a.m. Richard's unexpected arrival had caused her to wake late and dawdle.

It's all Richard's fault! Tiffany thought, blushing. "Um… I woke up late," she replied.

June, merely asking out of concern, wasn't complaining. Knowing Tiffany hadn't slept all night, she hadn't disturbed her at 10 a.m., wanting her to rest.

June smiled. "You must be hungry. Let's postpone the schedule. Come and eat, Miss Kelley."

"Okay."

Tiffany went to the dining table. As she sat, she heard footsteps. Richard slowly descended the stairs. His handsome face was captivating, his powerful aura creating an immediate sense of authority—the inherent pressure of a superior. He commanded attention and inspired submission.

June was surprised. "Mr. Hampton is here?"

Tiffany looked up. "Eh, you're here too? What a coincidence."

"Yes, what a coincidence," Richard replied. (Ten minutes earlier, they'd beenotherwise occupied.)

Richard looked at Tiffany, a faint smile in his deep eyes.

Chapter 553

He followed Tiffany downstairs, feigning ignorance of her late wake-up—a pretense Tiffany had requested to avoid association with him. He indulged her adorable threats delivered with tiny fists.

He sat down beside Tiffany. June immediately asked a maid for another bowl and fork.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "No need. I'm full." His gaze remained fixed on Tiffany.

I can't get enough of her, Richard thought.

Tiffany glared at him, then ate quietly, though her ears flushed.

Richard smiled. "Honey, you need to eat more." Otherwise, you're too light to hold and you don't have much strength, he thought.

Tiffany choked, coughing violently. Richard pushed the water toward her, patting her back. "Eat slowly. I won't steal it."

June chuckled, dismissing the servants and leaving the dining room. Garry and John, hearing Richard's arrival, tried to enter, but June stopped them.

"Talk later. There's no hurry," she said. With Richard present, they felt secure and didn't press the issue.

Only Tiffany and Richard remained.

After drinking water, Tiffany's choking subsided. Seeing she was alone, she thought: Great!

She suddenly twisted Richard's chest. "Bastard! You're pretending to be obedient after taking advantage of me!"

His muscles were too firm; she couldn't budge him. Defeated, she turned away angrily.

Richard chuckled. "Huh? Did I say anything misleading?"

"You…"

(Continued from Chapter 555)

Come to think of it, he hadn't. Yet, Tiffany felt guilty, interpreting a hidden meaning in his words. She understood instantly.

She pursed her lips, continuing to eat. She was hungry.

Richard watched her, his cold gaze softening. He even handed her a napkin after she finished.

"Thank you," Tiffany said, accepting it. After wiping her mouth, she asked, "By the way, you dealt with Felix. Do you know his true strength?"

The investigation into last night's incident was ongoing. She'd asked June to investigate Felix and Morwen's transactions but found nothing.

Grandpa's condition is critical. I need to find a way to treat him, she worried.

Richard frowned. "Why are you thinking about Felix again?" His jealous tone was evident.

Tiffany rolled her eyes. "Tell me quickly."

"He's so-so. Not as good as me," Richard said.

Why does Richard sound like a jealous child? Tiffany thought.

Her eyes twitched. Amusement mingled with anger. "I'm serious. Tell me quickly."

"So-so." He was serious this time, though it made little difference.

Tiffany sighed. The difference in strength between her and Richard was vast. The "so-so" Richard described was far beyond her current capabilities.

She recounted last night's events. "Yesterday, that black shadow appeared so suddenly. A knife flew at me before I even saw it. I dodged, but it was gone."

It wasn't a machine. She could only suspect a powerful individual, possibly with special abilities. She needed to be wary.

Richard frowned, worried about her ordeal. He was glad he'd arrived; otherwise, who knew what might have happened?

Richard sighed. "Your concern is valid, but that person wasn't Felix."

"Why?" Tiffany was puzzled by his confident tone.

Could my initial assumption be wrong? she wondered.