As Richard spoke, he leaned closer to Tiffany. Their shadows mingled under the dim light, appearing intimate, as if they were kissing. Tiffany felt embarrassed, but Richard moved even closer. She subconsciously wanted to move away, but a wall prevented her retreat. Their breaths mingled. She felt his breath on her face, her heart pounding as his handsome face drew nearer. Shyly, she turned her head.
Richard glanced at their merging shadows. His eyes twinkled, and he chuckled. "Don't move," he said. "Your earring has come off." He reached out and retrieved an earring from her hair. It had apparently fallen in.
Tiffany was speechless. Internally, she shrieked, So, he leaned in just to get my earring? Tiffany refused to admit she'd expected something more. She smiled awkwardly. "Thank you," she murmured.
"It's no big deal," he replied, stepping back, his elegant posture unchanged. Yet, a devilish charm sparkled in his eyes, making him even more captivating. Fearing she couldn't control her feelings, Tiffany stood, saying goodbye. "I'll go back to the party. My father will be worried."
"Sure," Richard replied, letting her leave.
Returning to the hall, Tiffany found the birthday party lively and festive. Romeo was happy, giving cash to his grandchildren. Tiffany didn't bother asking about Jordan, Sandra, and Kenneth, but Kenneth's absence confirmed he'd sent Sandra to the hospital. She assumed Richard's presence honored the Harper family, and he'd likely leave soon. Aside from a minor incident, Romeo's birthday party went smoothly.
As guests departed, Charlie was approached by a business partner. Tiffany waited quietly at the entrance. A departing woman sized Tiffany up, displaying the arrogant demeanor of a wealthy young lady. Noticing Tiffany's pink diamond bracelet, she stopped, grabbing Tiffany's wrist. "Why do you have this bracelet?!" she demanded, her voice sharp and her face darkened.
Tiffany, head throbbing from the woman's voice, freed her arm. "Miss Lee," she asked calmly, "what do you mean?"
The woman was Mia Lee. At a recent auction, Mia had bid on the bracelet to attract Richard's attention, but he hadn't even looked at her. She'd added $200,000 to the starting price, only for Richard to add $20 million. Humiliated, she'd left.
Mia had dressed elaborately for Romeo's party, arriving late to make an entrance. Richard was absent, and she'd only heard secondhand about his announcement that he liked a girl who could cook breakfast, write love letters, and make origami lucky stars.
Mia didn't believe it. Countless women in Lovell City tried to attract Richard, but failed. She believed a man as cold as he was wouldn't fall for anyone. Seeing the bracelet on Tiffany's wrist, she was incredulous. Grabbing Tiffany's hand, she demanded, "Tell me! Where did you get this bracelet?!"
Tiffany found Mia ridiculous. "It's handmade," she lied casually, "bought at a street stall for $40. Are you going to snatch it?"
Mia examined the bracelet, shaking her head. "Impossible!" Experienced with luxury goods, she knew real diamonds. This one was genuine.
Tiffany dismissed her. "Believe what you want." She turned, intending to end the conversation.
Mia persisted. "Name your price. I'll buy it!"
Annoyed by Mia's arrogant display of wealth, Tiffany refused. "I'm not selling it."
"You!" Mia fumed, her face reddening.
Charlie arrived, and Tiffany left with him. Tiffany thought the encounter over, but the next day, Ged approached her at school.
Panting, he said, "Tiffany, something happened to your friend." Zoe was Tiffany's only friend at school.
Ged explained that someone had come looking for Tiffany that morning, saying nasty things and attempting to destroy her books. Zoe intervened, resulting in an argument and Zoe being dragged away. This happened while Tiffany, hungover and asleep, missed morning classes.
Tiffany's expression darkened. Ged insisted he wasn't trying to curry favor, merely helping because she'd helped him.
"Thank you," Tiffany replied.
They reached the field, finding a crowd gathered. Tiffany pushed through, seeing Zoe hanging from a basketball hoop, covered in paint and sweat, surrounded by laughing onlookers.
Fury consumed Tiffany. Her gaze locked onto the group of women under a tree – Mia and her accomplices.