Chapter 570
The silhouettes of them stretched long shadows beneath the fading light of the setting sun.
The henchmen, accustomed to such scenes, had gradually learned to stay composed. Even when they saw Richard bending down to help Tiffany with her shoes, they no longer looked on in stunned disbelief as they once had.
By now, after countless displays of affection, they had become accustomed to witnessing such strange sights.
The private plane slowly ascended into the sky.
Nightfall descended, and a meteor streaked across the heavens.
Two and a half hours later, the private jet landed át Royal Bay.
John entered the lounge from outside and, with a respectful tone, said, “Mr. Hampton, we’ve arrived.”
Richard held up a finger to signal for silence.
John froze. When he looked again, he saw Tiffany fast asleep, nestled in Richard’s arms.
Understanding immediately, John quietly retreated.
Richard looked down at Tiffany, who slept like a contented cat in his arms, her body lazily curled against him. She had found a comfortable position, her face soft and innocent in its vulnerability. The sight of her made his heart melted and brought a warm, protective feeling to his chest.
Richard smiled faintly and gently placed a kiss on her forehead. “Little lazybones, we’re home.”
Suddenly, Tiffany stirred, her hand slapping lightly against his chin. Her voice, muffled by sleep, carried a hint of irritation. “Quiet!”
She was clearly still half–asleep.
Richard paused, then chuckled softly.
It seemed Tiffany had a little temper, even when asleep.
It made sense, though. During her time with the Azure Sea Royal Family, even though it was only a brief three days, Tiffany had been under constant stress. She had been pursued by assassins sent by Morwen, learned of her grandfather’s deteriorating health, and even discovered betrayal by those she trusted most.
She had placed so much faith in James, only to be deeply hurt.
After all these blows, her body and heart were both exhausted.
“Sleep…” Richard gently stroked Tiffany’s cheek, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection.
He then carefully picked her up and, with steady steps, walked toward his villa in Royal Bay.
The next morning, sunlight streamed into the room.
Tiffany, still groggy, rolled over in bed and accidentally touched something hard. She opened her eyes to find Richard, dressed in pajamas and propped up on his elbow, watching her with a sly smile.
“You…” Tiffany froze for a moment before reacting. “Didn’t I go home? Why did you bring me to Royal Bay?”
“Wasn’t it you who held me in your arms last night and promised you’d never leave me again?” Richard raised an eyebrow,
1/3
ད་གས།
Chapter 570
his words effectively silencing Tiffany, “What, sleep with me and then act like you don’t know me?”
Tiffany recoiled. “How would I dare?”
She couldn’t blame anyone. She was the one who had let herself get carried away by Richard’s charm and found herself unable to pull away, bound to him in a way that seemed to make it impossible to leave his side.
Tiffany rubbed her nose, adding, “Anyway, I’ll get used to it.”
‘What?‘ Richard thought. From the way she said it, it almost sounded like she was reluctant to be with me?”
Richard’s face darkened. He rolled over and pressed her underneath him, his tone suddenly cold and firm. “In that case, get used to it again, then?”
“Rascal!” Tiffany tried to pull away, but it was no use.
The blazing sun rose in the sky, casting its light over the earth.
It wasn’t until mid–afternoon that Tiffany finally got out of the room after a shower, moving in the strangest ways.
Though her waist was sore from a “bed exercise“, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her body felt different after everything that had happened. She couldn’t quite pinpoint what had changed, but there was an energy in her she hadn’t felt before, like she could run through Royal Bay without stopping.
It was odd.
Tiffany frowned but didn’t dwell on it. She dragged Richard downstairs to have lunch.
After lunch, Richard’s phone started ringing non–stop.
Apparently, in the few days since he’d left Lovell City, work had piled up at the company, waiting for him to make decisions. Tiffany wiped her mouth and stood up. “Why don’t you go to the office now? I need to go back home too.”
Aside from home, there was school to think about.
It had been a week since her suspension had ended, and it was time to report back to school.
Plus, she wondered how things were going with Melody and whether that makeup artist, Avianna, who had a miscarriage after being kicked by Melody violently, had done something.
Tiffany was lost in thought when she saw Richard bending down, his handsome face approaching hers, dark eyes glinting with something teasing.
Tiffany reluctantly stepped forward and planted a quick kiss on the face of Richard who had approached her, asking in a nonchalant voice, “Is this okay?”
“Sure.” Richard chuckled softly and turned to give instructions to John. “Take Mrs. Hampton home.”
“Yes, Mr. Hampton.” John nodded in response.
Richard then got into the car and headed to the office.
“Mrs. Hampton, please get in the car.” John opened the car door, and Tiffany climbed in.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at Cedar Ridge Villa.
2/3
Chapter 570
Tiffany had just stepped out of the car when, to her surprise, she saw her adoptive father sitting listlessly on a stone bench in the courtyard. His eyes were always focused on the road ahead, only briefly glancing up when a car passed, then quickly looking away when he realized the person in the car wasn’t her.
He was only watching the road from the airport side and hadn’t noticed the one behind him.
Tiffany was both amused and touched.
In the next moment, she quietly approached and covered Charlie’s eyes before he could react, asking in a muffled voice, “Who am I?”
Whenever she changed her appearance, even her closest relatives couldn’t recognize her. It wasn’t just her looks that changed–her voice also took on a different tone that made it impossible for anyone to tell, even under her careful disguise.
But this time, Charlie responded almost immediately, “It’s my precious daughter!”
His tone was certain, without a hint of doubt.
Tiffany removed her hand with a giggle and cheerfully called out, “Dad, I’m back!”
“It’s good to have you back!” Charlie’s eyes were red, his expression a mixture of relief and frustration.
He had been worried that Tiffany might leave and never
Even if she did come back, he feared she might never call him “Dad” again.
But now, seeing her again, he knew she hadn’t forgotten them–she was still his daughter!
Tiffany noticed Charlie’s emotions, and her heart softened. She walked over and gave him a hug, smiling as usual. “I want french fries! Could you make some for me?”
“Of course!” Since it was Tiffany’s request, Charlie would never refuse.
In fact, he was more than happy to oblige!
“Come on, go inside!” Charlie said.
Tiffany entered the villa. Though she hadn’t been back in three days, everything inside and outside Cedar Ridge Villa remained the same.
The warmth and comfort of the house filled the space.
It felt like… home.
Tiffany looked up, brushed away the tinge of sadness in her eyes, and hurried to the kitchen to help Charlie.”
