Chapter 688
Everything happened too quickly. Morwen stared blankly at the bloodstained blade protruding from her chest. The blade pierced her back and emerged from her chest, its sharp tip gleaming. Blood gushed forth like a fountain. The searing pain arrived in delayed waves, overwhelming her senses.
Stunned, Morwen turned around in disbelief. Behind her stood the woman who should have been in a coma; her expression was brimming with hostility, her gaze filled with ferocity and resentment. Morwen couldn't comprehend why she had been targeted; she had no grievance with the woman. But as her gaze shifted, the realization dawned: Morwen wasn't the true target. This hatred was meant for Tiffany; Morwen had simply become collateral damage, an unfortunate scapegoat.
Unable to speak, Morwen's eyes widened in shock as she collapsed lifelessly.
The woman, seemingly undeterred, reached toward Tiffany, growling, "Die!" Before she could get close, a gust of wind erupted, tossing her back with brutal force. She slammed into the wall, crumpling in pain.
Kajus rushed to her side, shouting, "Cecilia, are you all right?"
Cecilia coughed up blood, her left arm hanging limply—clearly dislocated. Yet her face remained twisted in rage as she stared at Tiffany with hatred. "Why are you still alive? Why?" she hissed.
Tiffany was stunned. The woman sounded as if she knew her. Tiffany frowned. "Do I know you?" she asked, searching her memories, but finding no trace of this person.
Cecilia laughed coldly. "You ruined me! You're acting arrogant and smug because you have Mr. Hampton backing you!"
Tiffany's face remained impassive as she turned to Kajus. "Did she suffer some mental trauma? Or is she just pretending to be mad?"
Kajus furrowed his brows, gently lifting Cecilia. In a low voice, he said, "Cecilia, you've made a mistake. She's the one who saved you, not the enemy you're looking for."
"No! It's her! I could never mistake her!" Cecilia insisted, her voice rising in desperation.
Just as she was about to scream another name, her throat constricted as though an invisible hand gripped it, silencing her. She lifted her gaze to meet Richard's cold stare, freezing; a shiver raced down her spine. The intensity of his killing intent was suffocating. Trembling, she shrank into Kajus's arms, whispering, "Take me away. Please, take me away."
Kajus, noticing her panic, immediately carried her to the window and leaped out. Tiffany made no move to stop them, but before Cecilia vanished, Tiffany caught her final words: "I will find you, Jennie Vallgren."
Tiffany thought, Jennie Vallgren? Who is Jennie Vallgren?
Silence fell over the room. Tiffany stood still, unaffected by the threats. But as she considered the woman's eyes, a faint, inexplicable sense of familiarity stirred within her. An elusive memory flickered briefly, then vanished before she could grasp it.
She turned to Richard and asked, "Does she know me? If so, she wouldn't call me by the wrong name."
"No," Richard answered decisively, his tone leaving no room for doubt. But something about his quick denial felt off, as if he were concealing the truth.
A creeping unease settled over Tiffany as her thoughts spiraled. Sensing her turmoil, Richard drew her into his arms, his voice soft and reassuring. "Don't overthink it. She's just a lunatic. She won't pose a threat."
Tiffany remained silent and nodded. Before leaving, they arranged for Morwen's body to be removed. The knife had pierced straight through her chest—a fatal wound even the best doctors couldn't remedy. Letting her die so quickly seemed almost merciful.
Back at the Azure Sea Royal Family's estate, Tiffany confided in Deacon. "Grandpa, do you really think I can't protect myself?" Tiffany sighed, exasperated. She couldn't fathom how her usually sharp grandfather could lose his composure over her safety. While she'd faced countless threats before, Deacon still saw her as a delicate flower needing constant shelter. Not wanting to alarm him, Tiffany smiled and reassured him, "Trust me. No one can hurt me." Deacon nodded reluctantly, tears glistening in his eyes. "Understood…" His response resembled that of a scolded child. His grand stature as the Azure Sea King was replaced by vulnerability. Ultimately, it was his way of making amends for the past. Losing Tiffany years ago had left him riddled with guilt. When Kajus manipulated him with threats, he almost felt a twisted sense of relief—a chance to do something for his beloved granddaughter.
Tiffany was both amused and exasperated. "In the future, just tell me everything right away. And remember, your granddaughter isn't as fragile as you think," she teased lightly.
"All right," Deacon replied.
Feeling reassured, Tiffany left a supply of medicinal tonics to bolster his health, then gave Jeremy instructions before preparing to depart. Deacon's face fell. "Leaving already? You just got here!"
"Yes, there's something I need to handle," Tiffany replied. In truth, Tiffany wanted to interrogate the Treasure Box. She needed answers about Cecilia. She had a strong feeling that there was some kind of connection between them, and felt anxious to uncover the truth.
Deacon tried to convince Tiffany to stay, but her determination was unshakeable. Resigned, he decided on a plan of his own: Once his affairs were settled, he'd personally visit Lovell City to surprise her. Missing her wedding was a regret he would carry forever, but he'd make it up to her. He watched Tiffany leave with a lighter heart and even a hint of a smile.
By 3 p.m., Tiffany and Richard boarded a private plane. When they landed at Royal Bay at 6:30 p.m., dusk had fallen. The winter made the days shorter. Tiffany yawned as she got off the plane. John, having received advance notice, was waiting at the hillside landing strip with a group of people.
"Mr. Hampton, Mrs. Hampton, you're finally back!" John greeted them with relief and joy. The past days had been chaotic; their return was a weight off their collective shoulders.
"Yes," Richard responded.