Richard froze in ce, his entire body tense.


    From behind him came a soft, sleepy voice,ced with a hint of drowsiness. “Don’t go.”


    Those words were like a cat’s gentle wing, leaving a tingling sensation that stirred his heart into chaos.


    “Don’t go…” Tiffany repeated, her voice fragile yet insistent.


    Richard frowned, knowing full well that if he stayed, leaving would no longer be an option. Determined, he began to gently pry Tiffany’s hand from his wrist.


    But suddenly, Tiffany sat up and grabbed his arm tightly, clinging to him as if she were glued to his side, refusing to let go.


    Then came that pitiful voice, trembling with unshed tears. “Do you really hate me that much? In reality, you avoid me, and now you won’t even stay in my dreams?”


    Richard thought, ‘Does she think this is a dream? Good. At least she will think this is not real.’


    Richard turned back coldly, his expression indifferent. “Let go.”


    “I won’t!” she dered, her voice firm. She wouldn’t let him go. Her determined eyes locked onto him, unwavering in their conviction.


    Richard remained silent. Yet, her strength was nothingpared to his. With a simple twist, he easily slipped free of herUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    grasp.


    He quickly moved toward the window, ready to disappear into the night.


    But just as he was about to leave, a loud thud echoed behind him.


    Turning around, he saw Tiffany had tried to chase after him but had misjudged her bnce, falling off the bed with a heavy thump. Her head hit the floor first, and a bright red bump immediately formed on her forehead.


    Richard’s knuckles turned white from clenching his fists.


    He forced himself to stay still, but his heart twisted painfully at the sight. He watched as her tears welled up, huge droplets rolling down her cheeks.


    Then, in a voice thick with tears, she cried, “It hurts…”


    Hearing her cry out, all of Richard’s defenses crumbled. His cold heart began to shatter. Watching her bruised and crying on the floor, even if his heart were made of steel, it would have melted.


    And when it came to Tiffany, he had no defenses to begin with.


    In this instant, there was no thought of letting her go, no intention of keeping his distance, and certainly no space left for concerns about James standing in the way.


    Without another moment’s hesitation, Richard rushed to her side, gently lifting her into his arms and cing her back on -the bed. The sight of her swollen, bruised forehead made his heart ache with guilt.


    It was all his fault.


    Tiffany, still sobbing, didn’t even care about the pain anymore. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her flood of emotions pouring out in waves.


    E


    “Don’t go. Don’t leave me…she pleaded, tears streaming down her face like an abandoned child left by the roadside, utterly


    heartbroken.


    Richard’s heart softened instantly, melting into a pool of tenderness. He held her close, gently patting her back, his voice soothing as he whispered, “I won’t leave. I’m not going anywhere. Please, don’t cry.”


    But Tiffany seemed lost in her world, her voice barely above a whisper as she let slip the thoughts she had hidden deep within her heart. “Someone told me that sometimes your eyes can lie, and your mouth can lie, but your heart never will.”


    Her voice wavered. “And right now, my heart is telling me… My feelings for you… they might be more than just a little bit.” Her words, fragile and raw with emotion, hung in the air.


    Richard was stunned. His elegant features betrayed his shock, but within seconds, a powerful surge of joy lit expression.


    “What did you just say?” Richard’s voice trembled as he looked at her, his hand slightly shaking.


    up


    his


    He was usually somanding and fearless. At that moment, he wore an expression filled with an unusual blend of nervousness and hope.


    He said, “Could you repeat what you said?”


    “… No.” Tiffany sniffled, her eyes red and swollen. The rejection came without hesitation.


    Richard didn’t speak, but it felt as if his heart had split open at her refusal.


    However, he saw her lift her head, a mischievous smile lighting up her tear-streaked face. Her eyes sparkled as she said, I’ll show you instead.”


    Before he could react, she flung herself toward him, and a soft, slightly cool kiss, tinged with the faint sweetness of alcohol,nded on his lips.


    Tiffany pulled back, wiping her nose, and asked, “Was that clear enough?”


    Richard froze for a moment, then suddenlyughed.


    It was unlike any cold smile he had shown before. This time, his face lit up, like ice thawing in the warmth of spring, and a glimmer of starlight shone in his eyes.


    Tiffany found herself momentarily stunned. His face, dazzling as always, had a way of making her heart skip a beat every time.


    Before she could process strong embrace.


    spun what was happening, the world


    around her, and she found herself pulled into his warm,


    That breathtaking face was now inches away, his intense


    “Tiffany Kelley, listen carefully.”


    “What?” She blinked, startled by the sound of her full


    name.


    locking onto hers as he spoke withplete seriousness.


    Then his voice, deep and filled with dominance, echoed in her mind. “I will never let you go for the rest of my life.”


    Life or death, he would never release her from his


    rasp


    With that deration, Richard sealed his vow with a passionate kiss, filled with possessiveness and an unyielding determination. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a im, a mark, a promise.


    Tiffany felt light-headed, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all, yet her heart bloomed with a warm, sweet sensation, like a flower blossoming at the center of her chest.


    She had no idea how long had passed. But when she finally felt like she might suffocate, Richard released her, his gaze even more fiery than before. It was so intense, it was almost scorching


    It was as if he could turn into a ravenous wolf at any moment and devour her whole.


    Tiffany, nervously ying with her fingers, couldn’t help but mutter, “Don’t push your luck. My feelings for you aren’t that strong.”


    She even held up her fingers, showing a tiny gap to demonstrate Yes. my feelings are pathetically small, like a tiny speck


    But Richard’s smile only grew wider, a grin that could charm anyone. “That’s fine. I’ll make sure that little bit bes infinite.”


    Tiffany blinked, not sure how to respond. She wanted to say something more but couldn’t fight off the dizziness that suddenly overcame her.


    With the amount of alcohol she had consumed,bined with the knock on her head, it was a wonder she had stayed conscious this long.


    The next morning, Zoe had brought breakfast over to check on Tiffany, only to find the room empty. The bed was unmade, and a half-finished ss of water sat on the table.


    “Where did she go?” Zoe was confused.


    *****


    Meanwhile, at Royal Bay.


    Tiffany woke upte, the sun already high in the sky. Dazed, she rubbed her aching head.


    Pain shot through her skull, and she sucked in a sharp breath. Who hit me while I was asleep?”


    Just as she was about to curse someone out, she realized something was wrong.


    This wasn’t the school dormitory. Looking around, Tiffany was stunned.


    If she wasn’t mistaken, this was Royal Bay.


    Furthermore, she was in the master bedroom of Royal Bay. In other words, she had slept in Richard’s room.


    ‘What happened?’ Tiffany quickly scrambled out of bed, only to discover that her clothes had been changed.


    ‘What on earth had happenedst night?’ Tiffany thought. She was worried that after getting drunk, she had somehow ended up there and done something inappropriate to Richard.