Chapter 637
Tiffany's current life differed greatly from her past. Once, she had intensely hated Kenneth, even wishing for his death. However, her subsequent blindness and desperate journey to the Azure Sea Royal Family for medicine changed her perspective. During her perilous escape from Morwen and her struggle within the Treasure Pavilion, Kenneth had saved her life. She had also accidentally saved him once before. She was ready to let bygones be bygones, but if Kenneth truly poisoned Richard, forgiveness would be impossible.
Lost in thought, Tiffany felt her hand grasped tightly. Looking up, she saw Richard's handsome face. "It's not him. Don't worry," he murmured, his eyes filled with an incomprehensible emotion. Relieved, she simply replied, "Okay."
Time drifted from afternoon to night, the basement terrifyingly quiet except for the faint hiss of the blood transfusion equipment. Enduring severe dizziness, Tiffany removed the needles from herself and Richard. Fortunately, the transfusion was successful. She sighed, intending to check Richard's pulse, but a wave of dizziness caused her to black out and fall to the ground.
Richard quickly caught her. Her usually vibrant face was pale, even her lips lacking their usual rosy hue. His eyes reflected pity and self-reproach. "You fool," he whispered.
He carried the unconscious Tiffany upstairs to a comfortable bed. Outside Luna Villa, June had deployed her subordinates; hidden nearby, they were ready to intercept any intruders. A night breeze stirred, but the hidden men inexplicably vanished, leaving only some footprints. June dispatched a few subordinates to investigate; finding nothing amiss, they reported back. "Got it," she confirmed, as the subordinates withdrew.
The villa door opened, revealing Richard silhouetted in the moonlight; his presence both mysterious and noble. His strikingly handsome face, usually captivating, now held only coldness in his eyes. June, slightly stunned, greeted him with a respectful, "Mr. Hampton."
Richard nodded curtly. "Take care of her. I'll be back soon." June agreed.
A black luxury car sped away in the middle of the night. The driver, visibly shaken, drove swiftly to Royal Bay, where the intelligent gate recognized Richard's car and opened automatically. Royal Bay, brightly lit, was filled with servants standing with bowed heads. Richard's return created an oppressive atmosphere, his killing intent palpable.
John immediately approached, "Mr. Hampton, I've brought Mr. Harper." "Okay," Richard replied. He casually glanced across the room to where Kenneth was securely bound to a chair. "All of you, leave," he ordered. Everyone, including John, obeyed.
Silence descended. Hearing approaching footsteps, Kenneth, his eyes filled not with fear, but despair and defeat, smiled faintly. He knew, from the moment he'd drugged Richard, what the consequences would be. He hadn't expected them so swiftly. Lowering his head, he awaited his fate.
A fist connected with his face, the chair scraping against the floor. Kenneth's mouth bled, yet he neither spoke nor struggled; resistance was futile. He wondered how disappointed Tiffany would be.
Another fist landed, this time breaking his nose. Bound to the chair, he could only watch the blood flow. "Richard Please, not my face," he finally pleaded, raising his head. His surprise at seeing Richard was evident; he'd expected death, but not this. He'd assumed Richard's motive was murder.
Richard, his handsome face contorted with anger, loomed over him, an aura of terrifying pressure filling the room. The villa felt like an icebox. Unexpectedly, Richard used a knife to cut the ropes, freeing Kenneth.
Stunned, Kenneth asked, "Why?"
"Kenneth, how dare you," Richard's voice, cold and heavy, resonated. "I never thought the Harper family would raise an ingrate."
"I'm sorry," Kenneth mumbled, closing his eyes. He confessed to drugging Richard out of selfish ambition, later learning the drug's life-threatening nature. Regret gnawed at him, but it was too late.
Richard, with a faint smile, asked, "Do you still regret it?"
"I'm sorry…" Kenneth repeated. He'd had no real chance to fight for Tiffany's love; drugging Richard had been a futile attempt. He knew, however, that Richard, and Tiffany, would both have made the same choice if the roles had been reversed.