Chapter 654

Tiffany was stunned, then burst out laughing. She and Richard, she realized, were a formidable team. Together, they were unbeatable.

Tiffany teased, "Oh, Mr. Hampton, you're getting sexier with your supportive attitude!"

Richard raised an eyebrow, his smile unwavering. "Is that so? Then I won't go to the company."

"Why?"

"Let's just say I want to keep you company and hear your plans. Besides, I'm exhausted from board meetings." His gaze burned with unspoken meaning.

Tiffany's legs went weak. "Then let's get down to business," she said hastily.

Inwardly, Tiffany sighed. If Richard stayed home, it meant a full day of his attention. Even her stamina couldn't match his. A shiver ran through her. Quickly changing the subject, she said, "Anyway, can we get this project? If so, we'll give it to them."

She wouldn't let her ungrateful uncle prosper. She wanted Jeffrey to suffer. Richard nodded gently. "Whatever you say." He'd get her the stars if she wanted them.

"Thank you, my love!" Tiffany kissed his cheek.

"So, you want to thank me?" Richard bent down, whispering in her ear, "Then wait for me tonight."

Tiffany shivered, anticipating his plans. If he repeated last night's antics, she'd cry.

At nine, a satisfied Richard left for the company after a kiss. Tiffany, needing to collect her exam results, got into her car.

Midway, she saw Molly at the school gate.

"Molly? Why are you here?"

"Tiffany, I have something to tell you." Molly grabbed Tiffany's arm, pulling her into the shade. "Tiffany, my father…," she began, struggling to speak. "He's gone mad! He wants to use Richard's name to climb the social ladder, then destroy you once he's secure. He's even supporting Daisy to steal Richard from you! You have to be careful!"

Tiffany wasn't surprised; she'd suspected Jeffrey's schemes. She hadn't expected Molly to reveal this.

"Molly, aren't you afraid I'll destroy your family?" Tiffany asked, her expression complex. "This won't benefit you."

"You're meeting with me and aren't hostile. That's enough," Molly said calmly but firmly. "Honestly, I'd rather see my family collapse."

"Why?"

"My father wasn't always like this. He was ambitious, but had a moral compass. But after being in this city, greed replaced the good in his heart. Sometimes, he scares me."

Molly wished things could return to before their exposure to power and wealth; a time when her father still possessed a conscience. Even without wealth, that would be worth it.

Even if her father was beyond redemption, she wanted to live as her parents had taught her. That was enough.

Tiffany looked at Molly intently. "Molly, you're the only sane one in your family," she said, meaning Molly retained her common sense, knowing when to advance and retreat.

Molly smiled sadly. "Tiffany, I hope you won't be angry with me because of my family."

"Of course not! Their actions aren't your fault." Tiffany paused. "By the way, your family doesn't know you came to see me, right?"

"I don't know. I didn't go home yesterday."

"Where did you stay?" Tiffany assumed a hotel. "If you don't mind, stay at my place for a while."

"No, I have somewhere to stay." Molly blushed. "Last night, I met Mr. Pauley. He saw me on the street and let me stay in his apartment."

"Mr. Pauley? Sidney?" Tiffany was surprised, but it made sense. Sidney was a gentleman, and Molly was her cousin. But noticing Molly's blush, another thought occurred to her.

"I should go," Molly said. "Tiffany, be careful! Don't let anyone take advantage of you!"

Tiffany nodded. Molly hailed a taxi. Tiffany turned to see Zoe standing nervously behind her.

"Tiff…Tiffany." Zoe held a breakfast box. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was going to greet you, but I overheard…"

"What did you hear?"

"Just…the last part." Zoe lowered her gaze, guilt evident.

Tiffany knew Zoe had heard about Sidney letting Molly stay in his apartment. It was ambiguous.

Tiffany patted Zoe's shoulder. "It's not what you think. Sidney only lent her his apartment for a few days. He's my cousin's friend, he wanted to help."

Zoe smiled faintly. "But Tiffany, don't you want to give them a little nudge?"

"I've said enough. I won't interfere." If Sidney and Molly had feelings, she'd let them unfold naturally.

"Let's go," Tiffany said, and they entered the school. They separated; Tiffany to get her results, Zoe to class.

Zoe, chewing her sandwich, forgot her water and choked, turning red. Molly's words echoed in her mind. She felt hopeless; she and Sidney weren't from the same world.