<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany reacted instantly, dodging the danger with remarkable agility. But oddly, the sound of the knife hitting the wall never came.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">She turned around and froze. The knife was suspended in midair, as if stopped by an invisible force. It couldn’t push forward, as though it had struck an unseen barrier.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">At that moment, Richard stepped out of the car. As he did, the knife dropped to the ground with a metallic thud.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany walked to his side, arching an eyebrow. She didn’t need to ask. She knew this was Richard’s doing. Richard’s expression gave nothing away, but she didn’t press him.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Luckily, the incident had happened so quickly that none of the nearby guards noticed anything unusual. Even the driver hadn’t turned around in time to witness it.</font></font>Original content from N?velDrama.Org.
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany bent down to pick up the knife. Her breath hitched as she recognized it. It was identical to the de used by the shadowy figure who had helped Morwen escape. The strength and angle of the throw confirmed it was the same person.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">There was a note stuck to the handle. Tiffany opened it to find an unfamiliar address scrawled on the paper.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">So much for her earlier worries about not being able to track this person. The mysterious figure had revealed their location on their own. They were targeting her.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Tiffany’s eyes</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">narrowed as she studied the address. It wasn’t too far, right on the border of the Azure Sea’s territory.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">For her grandfather’s sake, she had to go.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Determined, she looked up at Richard. With her smaller frame, she had to tilt her head to meet his gaze.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“You’lle with me, won’t you?” Tiffany asked.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Her question was met with Richard gently pinching her cheek.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Do you even need to ask?” he replied.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">He wrapped an arm around her waist, his expression cold andmanding. ‘Anyone who dares attack my woman like this will pay for it,‘ Richard thought.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">*****</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Back at the castle, June and the rest of the staff were anxiously awaiting Tiffany and Richard’s return. When Tiffany and Richard finally walked through the doors, June hurried over.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">“Miss, are you okay? Were you hurt?” June asked, scanning Tiffany from head to toe. Seeing Tiffany unscathed, with clean and tidy clothes and no signs of injury or distress, June finally rxed.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">After Tiffany Kelley left yesterday, June learned from the castle staff about the dangers of the sea. The waters were notorious for unpredictable weather, and many who sought the elusive ind and its rare medicinal herbs had lost their lives.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">The thought kept June awake all night, especially knowing Tiffany couldn’t swim. Garry tried to reassure June, reminding her that with Richard present, there was no need to worry.</font></font>
<font style="vertical-align: inherit;"><font style="vertical-align: inherit;">Now, seeing Tiffany safe and sound, June let out a deep sigh of relief and looked at Richard with heartfelt gratitude.</font></font>
Tiffany chuckled softly. “I’m fine, June. See? Not a scratch. You don’t need to worry so much. We’ll be making another trip.”
Tiffany’s next destination was about to be even more dangerous.
“I’ll go with you this time,” June offered immediately.
Tiffany nodded after a moment’s thought. It would be smart to have backup. “Alright. Let’s eat quickly and head out.”
Garry and the others exchanged nces with Richard, who silently approved. Orders were given, and preparations began.
As they finished their meal, June went upstairs to retrieve a bow and arrows for Tiffany. June figured they might be useful for self–defense.
Just as June was about to head back down, her phone buzzed with an iing call. Seeing the name, she answered quickly. “Boss?”
James’s voice came through. “Where are you?”
“We’re with the Azure Sea Royal Family, preparing to head to the border for something Ms. Kelley needs to handle,” June exined.
“The border?” James’s voice sharpened. “That’s a forbidden area. It’s far too dangerous. You can’t go there!”
“Forbidden?” June echoed, startled.
James rarely showed such rm. If even he was wary of this ce, it had to be truly perilous. But June also knew Tiffany well enough to understand Tiffany wouldn’t back down.
June replied, “Boss, don’t worry. I will take good care of Ms. Kelley.”
Hearing someone call for her from downstairs, she quickly hung up the phone. “Coming,ing!” she called back as the group set off for the border of the Azure Sea.
Meanwhile, James was so anxious that his brows furrowed deeply. Unable to ease his worry, he pulled out divination runes from his pocket. The reading indicated that misfortune would turn into good luck.
Relieved, James let out a breath. Though the oue wasn’t ideal, it was enough to know that Tiffany Kelley’s life wasn’t in danger. That was all that mattered.
Quickly, James stood, left Luna Vi without hesitation, and headed out, unaware that this marked the beginning of something he couldn’t foresee.
***
The convoy of SUVS drove for over two hours, heading toward the mountainous border of the Azure Sea.
The mountains appeared deceptively close, but after crossing it, thendscape opened into a vast expanse. Wild grasses, yellowed by thete autumn chill, stretched endlessly. The surrounding trees stood bare, their withered branches patiently awaiting the renewal of spring.
Eventually, the vehicles came to a stop. Ahead, a tall iron fence blocked the way, apanied by a red warning sign that read, “This is a forbidden area. Turn back now.”
The air was eerily still, with crows circling overhead.
Tiffany stepped out of the car and assessed the fence. Without hesitation, she ordered, “Clear a path.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Her subordinates moved quickly, using advanced tools to cut through the fence. Within minutes, they had opened a gap wide enough for the group to pass through.
Whaty beyond was finally revealed.