Chapter 196
Tiffany’s smile deepened. She opened her arms, saying, “Alright, don’t cry. Worst case, I’ll hug you.”
Abbie couldn’t help but laugh at that and then, taking it seriously, stepped forward and hugged Tiffany. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Tiffany patted Abbie’s back with a sigh, jokingly lamenting, “I don’t know how to respond when you thank me like that. Warm and soft in my arms like this, I almost wish I were a man. What a shame, what a shame.”
Abbie was stunned; her heartfelt gratitude evaporated the moment she heard that. “S****bag!” she muttered, half exasperated.
Tiffany laughed, her voice light and crisp, catching people’s attention. After all, with two stunning beauties whose figures were jaw-dropping and whose looks could rival legendary beauties, it was no wonder anyone passing by couldn’t help but take a second look.
When the two returned to the private room, it was clear to everyone that Abbie’s previously gloomy mood had lifted entirely in the brief time they had stepped out. After finishing their meal, Tiffany paid the bill, and the group finally left the fondue restaurant.
Abbie, Nevaeh, and the assistant entered their van and left while Tiffany and Zoe entered another car. “I’ll drop you off first,” Tiffany said, yawning as she instructed the driver to head toward Zoe’s place.
By this time, night had fallen, and the city lights were starting to glow against the dark sky. Even as they arrived at her doorstep, Zoe still seemed dazed, almost as if she’d lost her senses. She kept pinching her cheeks to check if she was dreaming and occasionally pulled out a photo of her and Abbie, staring at it to reassure herself that all of this was real.
Zoe covered her face with both hands and sighed. “Oh my God, today felt like a dream!”
Tiffany chuckled. “Is that all you’ve got? Alright, go on up. I’ll head back now.”
“Okay! Thanks, Tiffany!” Zoe waved excitedly as the car pulled away.
“Where to next, Miss Kelley?” the driver, David, asked.
Tiffany thought for a moment. She recalled that Lucifer had missed her, according to yesterday’s phone call. So she said, “Let’s go to Royal Bay.”
“Understood,” David replied as he drove towards Royal Bay.
It was the first time Tiffany had missed her mark. She arrived, only to find that Richard was not at home.
When the servant saw her arrive, she quickly opened the door to let the car in and nodded, saying, “Miss Kelley, Mr. Hampton isn’t home, but he mentioned that if you came, you should feel free to make yourself at home and not be too formal.”
“Thank you,” Tiffany said without elaborating, heading straight for the backyard.
It seemed to sense her presence, and Lucifer bounded over joyfully. However, given its large size, the force of its approach could easily knock Tiffany over. So, as it got close, it skillfully came to a halt, obediently crouching at her feet.
“Lucifer is obedient,” Tiffany said, stroking Lucifer’s head. Seeing how well-built and robust it had become, with its fur shining brightly, she knew it had been living wonderfully at Royal Bay. It was getting more stronger by the day, exuding a commanding presence.
After playing with Lucifer for a while, Tiffany decided to leave. There was no point in staying since Richard wasn’t home anyway.
As Tiffany was about to leave after greeting the servant, the servant paused and said, “If you’re looking for Mr. Hampton, he’s at Tech Building No. 9.”
“Oh?”. Tiffany was taken aback, not entirely processing what the servant had said, when she noticed the servant smiling and stepping back. She thought, ‘Am I that obvious?’
Feeling her cheeks heat up, Tiffany got into the car and told David, “Let’s go to Tech Building No. 9.”
“Got it,” David replied, starting the car and heading toward Tech Building No. 9.
At the top of the Tech Building, a tall, agile figure navigated effortlessly through layers of obstacles and infrared security systems, reaching the core of the building. A seemingly ordinary stone lay, but this unassuming rock was the key to operating all the mechanisms within the building. It was a priceless treasure.
The man, heavily wrapped and cautious, reached to touch the stone. Instantly, the building’s alarm system blared to life. Garry and his men emerged from the shadows, surrounding the man in layers. “We’ve been waiting for you,” he said.
The man surrounding them was the one they had been searching for all along. Codename K, renowned for his exceptional disguise skills, was known as the Phantom of a Thousand Faces.
Seeing the situation, Codename K remained unfazed. He smiled calmly, his outstretched hand not retreating as he forcibly took the stone from its place. He remarked casually, “Is that all you’ve got?” He had encountered this scene countless times before, always managing to leave right under their noses. He walked away brazenly, knowing no one would notice.
Garry sneered. “This time, you won’t be getting away.”
“Then let’s see,” Codename K replied with a chilling smile and unwavering confidence. Just as he finished speaking, a clear, cold voice echoed through the silent building.
“Is that so?” came a calm response, accompanied by a palpable pressure that swept through the air.
Codename K’s expression changed. He looked up to see Richard’s tall figure emerging, exuding an air of nobility and composure, with a hint of cool detachment in his handsome features.
The aura of authority radiated from Richard, imposing and impossible, like an unyielding mountain. He was the ultimate ruler in this realm. Everyone present a shiver run down their spines, nearly compelled to bow down under the weight of his presence.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.
Codename K’s previously confident expression changed in an instant. Gripping the stone tightly, he sprinted backward with astonishing speed, pushing his escape to the limit. Like a gust of wind, he vanished instantly, accompanied by a fleeting shadow of darkness.
Richard smirked and said, “He runs pretty fast.”
Just as Garry was about to speak, Richard suddenly vanished from his spot.
On the rooftop of the building, just as Codename K was about to leap off, he suddenly encountered an invisible barrier that bounced him back, causing him to crash at Richard’s feet.
Codename K was struck with terror. It was his first real confrontation with Richard, and he realized Richard was far more formidable than he had ever imagined.
Richard looked down at him with icy eyes and said, “Hand it over. Don’t make me repeat.”
“You can’t hurt me.” Codename K suddenly laughed, ripping off the cloth covering his face. His handsome features glowed with an eerie light in the night. You can only let me go,” he said.
“Oh really?” Richard replied with a hint of mockery before stepping down forcefully.
Codename K violently coughed, blood splattered from his mouth. The force of the blow felt as if his chest bones were being crushed, and along with the pain came a surge of sheer horror.
“Hand it over,” Richard’s gaze grew increasingly icy.
But Codename K continued to shake his head, a confident smile still on his face as he repeated, “I told you, you can only let me go…”
As he spoke, Tiffany had already arrived at the base of the impressive tech building. She looked up in awe at its grandeur. It was indeed a testament to Richard’s vision. It was said that the investment in constructing this building was beyond measure.
Moreover, if there was even a slight flaw, it would be flattened on the spot. It took nine iterations of this back-and-forth process before the building finally met its completion standards. It was indeed a display of extraordinary wealth.
As Tiffany was about to enter, she was stopped by someone who said, “Sorry, you can’t go in without permission.”
“I came to see…” She was about to say Richard’s name when a pleasant aroma suddenly wafted past her nose. The scent was unique, one that only the people from Medicinal Haven would possess. Tiffany felt a jolt as she thought, “It’s Mr. Quinn!”