Richard's immediate response humbled Kenneth, whose face paled. He knew his uncle, only seven years older, was furious.

"Uncle Richard," Kenneth began, but Richard interrupted. "Don't call me uncle. I don't have a nephew as blind as you."

Kenneth sputtered, speechless. Sandra, watching from the side, simmered with anger, but feigned pity. With a sob, she cried, "Mr. Hampton, I'm so sorry! It's all my fault. It's not Tiffany's or Kenneth's fault. I'm sorry!" She bowed deeply, her eyes red and her lip bitten to suppress tears. Her performance was flawless; most men would fall for it.

Tiffany, disgusted but curious, wondered if Richard would be fooled. She furtively raised her head and heard him calmly say, "Don't talk to me. I'm a clean freak." His disdain was palpable. Tiffany almost laughed. By dismissing Sandra as "filthy," Richard was mocking her. An indescribable feeling surged through Tiffany. Thank God Richard has discerning eyes, she thought.

Sandra gasped, disbelief etched on her face. Richard ignored her, instructing a man, "Wake the person on the ground."

That was Jordan Booth, the man who'd slept with Sandra. Kenneth had burst in, knocked Jordan unconscious, and left him there. To prove Tiffany's innocence, Kenneth only needed to wake Jordan and question him. But, biased toward Sandra, he'd accepted her story. Richard, however, immediately sided with Tiffany.

Tiffany lowered her eyes, calming her racing heart. After a few slaps, Jordan groaned, "Huh? Who hit me?"

Jordan, infamous for being a womanizer, was arrogant and looked down on others. His family's sudden wealth hadn't improved their vulgarity, earning them little respect among Lovell City's elite.

As Jordan began to curse, Richard's subordinate slapped him twice. "Answer honestly," the subordinate demanded. "Why are you here? Who put you here?"

"Someone from the hotel," Jordan mumbled. "I ordered an escort, and she told me to wait." He'd mistaken Sandra for the escort.

Everyone now saw that the attendant's claim of Tiffany luring Sandra was false; Sandra had taken the room key. Either the hotel erred, or someone had targeted Tiffany, but their plan had backfired.

Kenneth's expression changed dramatically. The attendant was gone. Suspiciously, he turned to Sandra. "What's going on?"

Sandra's heart pounded. Her lips trembled, tears streaming down her face. "I don't—" She fainted, the timing impeccable.

Jordan, somewhat sobered, looked around. "Who are you? Who hit me?"

Richard's subordinate, annoyed by Jordan's noise, punched him silently. "Shut up."

The truth was out. Before leaving with Tiffany in his arms, Richard tilted his head and addressed Kenneth, "Fifty lashes."

This was a Hampton family punishment, and Richard had final say. Though not a core member, Kenneth was considered family and bound by the rules. Fifty lashes was harsh but just.

Kenneth trembled. He'd never expected such a severe punishment. But Richard's tone brooked no argument. "Understood," Kenneth mumbled.

Richard and his men left. Tiffany, still dazed, murmured, "Thank you." Realizing Richard had been carrying her, she said, "Are you tired? I'm fine!"

Richard scoffed. "Your knees are swollen. That's fine?"

He took her to his private floor in the hotel—luxurious and quiet. He had a first aid kit brought up and personally tended to her injuries. Tiffany was embarrassed, but couldn't stop him.

"Behave," he teased, "and don't take advantage of me."

Tiffany was speechless. Her swollen, painful knees were a distraction, but another thought consumed her. "Don't you suspect I did it?"

Tiffany, though not intentionally, had drugged and placed Sandra in the room—a form of retaliation. She worried that Richard, upon learning her methods, would be disappointed.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "So what?"

Tiffany was speechless, her heart pounding at his casual acceptance. Excitement surged through her.

He gently tapped her head. "Thinking of thanking me again?"

How did he know? Tiffany thought. She mumbled, "Thank you."

He chuckled, rubbing her head gently. "You're welcome." His touch and tone were tender and intimate.

Tiffany was stunned, her face blazing.

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