Chapter 622

John frowned, puzzled. "Kenneth? What's he doing here so late?"

A roaring sports car screeched to a halt at the villa entrance. Kenneth emerged and entered the house without hesitation. John didn't stop him; Kenneth often visited, being Richard's nephew. Richard had always been close to the Harper family.

Kenneth walked confidently into the villa, his handsome face calm. But upon seeing the imposing figure on the sofa, he paused, a flicker of nervousness betraying his composure.

"Uncle," Kenneth greeted.

Richard looked up, his sharp eyes cold and piercing, radiating authority. His gaze seemed to penetrate everything. A chill ran down Kenneth's spine. Bracing himself, he stepped forward. "Uncle, tomorrow is your wedding day…"

"Yes, and?" Richard responded with a faint, enigmatic smile. His expressionless face was unreadable.

Kenneth faltered. He'd always been awestruck by his uncle's commanding presence, even though Richard was only five years older. Richard wasn't just a man; he was a mountain, an emperor controlling storms with a flick of his wrist. Everyone, including Kenneth, submitted to his power.

Lowering his eyes, Kenneth quelled his turbulent emotions. He doubted Richard would truly make Tiffany happy. He feared that a more beautiful or charming woman might easily sway Richard's affections. It was a dangerous thought, and he pushed it aside.

Looking up, Kenneth forced a calm smile. "Congratulations, Uncle," he said, producing a bottle of wine. "This is my grandfather's prized possession. I snuck it out. This toast is for you." As he poured a glass and offered it to Richard, he discreetly dropped a pill into the wine. The movement was imperceptible.

Richard's sharp eyes studied Kenneth for a moment, seemingly searching his soul. Kenneth's palms sweated, but he remained composed. He drank his own wine. "Uncle, why aren't you drinking? This is your favorite, isn't it?"

Richard smiled faintly, then drained the wine in one gulp.

Kenneth breathed a sigh of relief. His mission was accomplished. He was about to leave when Richard's cold voice stopped him. "I heard you locked up Lorenzo."

Richard had learned about Lorenzo from Tiffany, who recounted the previous night's events, including how Lorenzo had been dumped at her family's villa. That's why she'd summoned Kenneth late at night. The timing, however, had been twisted into rumors of a secret meeting. The thought of photos misrepresenting Tiffany and Kenneth's closeness angered Richard.

The air thickened with tension.

Kenneth nodded stiffly. "Yes, I locked him up."

"Deal with him. He's not worth keeping," Richard said indifferently, waving a hand dismissively. "Go."

Kenneth nodded and turned to leave. At the door, Richard's chilling warning stopped him. "I can overlook some things, but get rid of certain thoughts. Otherwise, I can't promise I won't kill you."

The threat hung heavy in the air. Kenneth stiffened. "Yes," he murmured.

Only after entering his sports car did the suffocating pressure ease. He was drenched in cold sweat. He had secretly drugged Richard's wine. This was his first betrayal of his uncle, and the consequences were unimaginable.

Kenneth sped away from Royal Bay. At the gate, John watched the car disappear, frowning. "What's going on? Why does Kenneth look so upset? This is strange." John dismissed his concerns; Kenneth wouldn't dare plot against Richard. He returned to his work.

Kenneth drove aimlessly, troubled. He'd given one love potion to Richard; one remained. He didn't know who to give it to. He'd originally planned to use them with Tiffany, but their friendship remained platonic. Now, he needed another woman to test the potion's effects, as Lorenzo claimed it created an irresistible attraction between two users. But he had no suitable candidate.

Caught in his indecision, Kenneth slowed the car. A car flashed its high beams. It made a U-turn and pulled alongside. Morwen's beautiful face appeared in the window. "Mr. Harper, long time no see."

An idea sparked in Kenneth's mind. "Long time no see," he replied.

Both cars stopped. The empty road was silent, save for flashing traffic lights. Unseen, Kenneth got into Morwen's car.

"Miss Xanthus, why are you back in Lovell City?" Kenneth asked.

Morwen countered, "What? Am I not allowed here?" Her smile was cold, her eyes blazing with barely controlled anger.