Chapter 686

Morwen screamed, her shrill voice echoing unpleasantly in the empty hall. Tiffany rubbed her ears and warned, "Shut up."

Morwen retorted, "You wish!"

Before Morwen could speak again, Tiffany raised her hand. A silver needle flew through the air, stabbing Morwen's upper lip. Terrorized, Morwen tried to scream but found her throat constricted, silencing her.

Panicked, she reached for the needle, but Tiffany coolly said, "If you want to stay mute forever, go ahead."

Morwen glared, stopping her hand. With the noise silenced, Tiffany's mood lightened. She sipped her hot coffee and asked, "Have you decided?" (The coffee contained a hallucinogen, but it barely affected Tiffany.)

Kajus asked, "What are your terms?"

"I need to know how you made my grandfather willingly give you his blood," Tiffany said, though she had some guesses.

Kajus replied, "I threatened him with his precious granddaughter's life. I told him if he didn't cooperate, I'd use her as a sacrifice. He had no choice."

Kajus smirked. "I didn't expect the old man's granddaughter to be so decisive. I'm impressed."

To protect Tiffany, news of the Azure Sea Royal Family retrieving their princess hadn't fully spread. Insiders had been silenced, but a few, tempted by profit, leaked the information. Kajus used this as leverage. Azure Sea King, Deacon, had no choice but to agree to protect the granddaughter he'd worked so hard to find. Even Jeremy knew nothing of this; Deacon didn't dare attend Tiffany's wedding.

After hearing this, Tiffany fell silent. Her grandfather, usually so careful, had been foolish. His concern for her, however, was what ultimately led him to make such a mistake.

Tiffany nodded. "There's another thing. Where were you the night before, and what is your relationship with Richard?"

"Two questions," Kajus said, "Or is this your condition? I was going to capture you that night, but he found me first."

"Then where is he?" Tiffany asked.

Kajus clicked his tongue, his enchanting eyes flickering with impatience. "So many questions. It's time you fulfilled your promise."

Chapter 680

"Lead the way," Tiffany said, standing.

Kajus led Tiffany into an inner chamber, Morwen reluctantly following. A light breeze brushed past them, unnoticed.

Tiffany was led to a room decorated with petals, balloons, and paintings—it looked like a newlywed couple's room. A young woman lay on the bed, pale and wan, frail from years of unconsciousness. Her breath was faint.

Tiffany felt her pulse—weak, but with an unusual reaction, almost like a complicated, undetectable poison. She used her silver needles and spirit herbs.

"Everyone out," she commanded.

Kajus warned, "Don't play tricks," before dragging Morwen out. The door closed, leaving Tiffany undisturbed. She began acupuncture, requiring absolute precision.

Half an hour later, twenty needles were perfectly placed. Tiffany breathed a sigh of relief, sweat on her forehead. As she wiped it, she felt someone behind her.

"Who's there?" Tiffany's eyes turned cold. Assuming it was Kajus, she threw a punch, then froze in disbelief. "Richard?"

After two and a half days, seeing his face felt unreal. She was stunned.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "Miss me?"

Tiffany's eyes welled, and she embraced him, crying and scolding, "You jerk! Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Her tears soaked his shirt as Richard patted her back. "Don't cry. It's my fault."

Chapter 686 (continued)

"You idiot! How could you disappear like that?" Tiffany looked up, her teary eyes full of grievance. "I'm divorcing you! I can't take this anymore!"

Richard tightened his embrace. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have stayed away so long. I'm sorry, darling."

Tiffany folded her arms. "Be honest. Is there someone else?"

Richard froze, then denied it firmly. He recounted the events of two nights before: Tiffany had been occupied with Jeffrey; Richard guarded her at the cabin entrance. A weapon flew from the darkness, aimed at Tiffany. Richard destroyed it and chased the attacker, who also possessed special abilities. He eliminated the threat, leading him to the Azure Sea Royal Family's estate.

(Note: The final line "SEND GIFT" appears to be unrelated to the story text and likely a system artifact.)