Chapter 614

Kenneth stepped from the car and saw Tiffany standing in the moonlight. She wore a pink wool overcoat that accentuated her slender frame. Hearing the car, she turned, her face naturally flawless, makeup-free, and possessing an innocent charm that befitted her age. Under the moonlight, her clear, captivating eyes held a lazy allure—seductive and pure, enticing yet calming.

Kenneth quickly averted his gaze, focusing on the large box on the ground. The lid was closed, concealing its contents. Tiffany hadn't explained why she needed him, and the sealed box offered no clues.

Tiffany tilted her chin toward the box. "Open it, and you'll see."

Kenneth approached and opened the box. A growl of frustration escaped him as he saw Lorenzo inside. Years ago, Lorenzo had ambushed the Harper family, leading an attack of over a hundred men. He had scarred Alexia for life by sewing her lips shut, inflicting lasting trauma. He had also killed Ryan and nearly killed Romeo.

Kenneth thought, "How can I endure this insult? How can I not settle this score?"

He let out a cold laugh, the meaning of Tiffany's gesture now clear. "Thank you," he said, his voice tight with controlled anger.

Without hesitation, he hauled Lorenzo into his car, slamming and locking the trunk. No amount of struggling would help him escape.

Tiffany yawned lazily, waving dismissively. "Alright, it's getting late. I'll leave him to you. I'm heading to bed." She turned toward her villa, but Kenneth called out, "Tiffany!"

A thousand words swirled in his mind, but he was speechless.

Tiffany turned back, curious. "Hmm?"

"It's nothing," Kenneth finally managed. "Your wedding's the day after tomorrow. I wish you happiness."

"Thank you."

As Tiffany was about to leave, Kenneth stopped her again. "Tiffany, can I… can I come?" (He thought: To see you one last time. To watch you slip away for good, knowing there's no turning back.)

Tiffany raised an amused eyebrow. "What do you think? You still owe me one."

Her teasing shattered the fragile atmosphere, momentarily stunning Kenneth. Her playful response, catching him off guard, shattered the somber mood. Yet, her lightheartedness, her ability to laugh and move forward, only deepened the ache in his chest. The mood had shifted entirely.

(The following paragraphs were repetitive and have been consolidated) Tiffany's ability to move on eased some of his awkwardness, but admitting her role intensified his pain. He still had to smile and wish her a happy marriage. His eyes stung, and his fists clenched. He thought, "How foolish of me. I've told myself to let it go, but a thousand voices call me an idiot. A million regrets—what good do they do now?"

Kenneth climbed into his car, slamming the door harder than intended.

"Get some rest. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Tiffany entered her villa as the Rolls-Royce headed toward the Harper family estate. Unbeknownst to them, a camera captured the scene from a building across the street, the images appearing far more suggestive than they actually were.

Back at his estate, Kenneth locked Lorenzo in the basement chamber. He lacked the patience for revenge now; Ryan deserved better. Lorenzo had to feel their pain—a slow, torturous end was the only true justice. (He thought: Killing him outright would be too easy.)

He secured the iron door, but Lorenzo's hoarse voice called out, "Mr. Harper." Lorenzo had removed the gag. "Mr. Harper, I want to make a deal."

Kenneth laughed coldly. "You, a prisoner? What could you possibly offer?"

"What if I said I could grant your deepest wish?" Lorenzo's grin widened. "Mr. Harper, you still can't get Miss Kelley out of your mind, can you? If it weren't for her, you wouldn't have left Melody."

"Shut your mouth!"

"Don't get angry," Lorenzo chuckled, producing a small glass bottle. "Mr. Quaid prepared this pill. I took it without him knowing." Kenneth moved to leave, but Lorenzo shouted, "Do you know what this pill does? It binds two people together permanently. Once they take it, they'll be drawn to each other forever. Even without love, they'll be inseparable, tied for life, sharing the same fate. Live together, die together."

(The following sentence was unclear and has been removed.)

Lorenzo shouted, "Mr. Harper, don't you want to fight for yourself? Mr. Harper, can you bear to watch the woman you love marry someone else?"

The words hung in the air. Kenneth hesitated briefly, then left the basement chamber.

Lorenzo sat alone in the suffocating cell. Escape was impossible. A grim smile played on his lips. He knew Kenneth would return—before the wedding. He let out a low laugh. He pondered Felix's reaction to the stolen pill, but it didn't matter; he was as good as dead. (He thought: But before I die, I'll make sure everyone pays!) He muttered, "What's so special about Miss Kelley? She's got Hampton, Felix, and even Harper wrapped around her finger…"

The next day, Tiffany's phone buzzed relentlessly. It was Zoe.

"Hello?" Tiffany answered lazily.

"Tiffany!" Zoe's voice was urgent. "Wait, don't tell me you just woke up!"

"To be precise, I was woken up by you."

"Well, you need to check the news, the morning headlines. Hurry!" Zoe was frustrated, finally understanding the meaning of "The emperor isn't in a hurry, but the eunuch is."