Chapter 421

Tiffany’s cheeks burned; she felt embarrassed and ashamed. A hand suddenly covered her forehead. Turning, she saw Zoe Stevens examining her with a baffled expression. “You don’t have a fever, but why is your face so red?”

Feeling guilty, Tiffany pushed Zoe’s hand away. “Is it time for the exam?” she said abruptly, changing the subject.

Zoe chuckled. “It is, but I think you’re thinking about your engagement in two days, Tiffany. After that, you're a married woman!”

“Why is she bringing up the engagement again?” Tiffany muttered, clearing her throat. “Exams are more important!”

“The engagement is more important!” Zoe countered.

“Zoe, you’ve changed. You’re not the lovable friend who swore allegiance to me.”

“No, I’m abandoning the darkness for the light!” Zoe declared, clearly siding with someone influential. “So, the engagement is more important!”

Tiffany feigned a punch. As they playfully sparred, a shadow loomed over them. Looking up, they saw Kenneth Harper.

Zoe aggressively rolled up her sleeves. “What do you want?”

Ignoring her, Kenneth placed a book in front of Tiffany and left without a word.

Tiffany recognized the title—a book she’d been desperately searching for. The library was vast; misplaced books were nearly impossible to find. She’d almost given up, stopping her library visits after a fruitless search. Kenneth, however, had found it. If he’d started searching when he last saw her, it meant he'd been looking for two days.

Tiffany stared glumly at the book, conflicted. She hadn't adjusted to Kenneth's sudden change; he seemed like a different person. Zoe, noticing the title, exclaimed, “Tiffany, isn’t this the book you were looking for?” She remembered spending a whole day searching unsuccessfully with Tiffany. Now, Kenneth had magically produced it. “Why is he suddenly so kind?” she wondered incredulously.

Tiffany shrugged. “I don’t know.”

The book was crucial to her. She stole a glance at Kenneth, wanting to thank him, but the school bell rang, interrupting her. She couldn't wait to read the ancient book on hypnosis. Mastering its techniques, she knew, would allow her to hypnotize and provide effective psychological treatment.

Flipping through it, she marveled at its age and obscure language. Laypeople couldn't even decipher it, but to Tiffany, the words were strangely familiar, etched in her memory. “What’s going on?” she frowned, bewildered. She had no recollection of learning this material, yet the familiarity was undeniable.

Shaking off the distraction, she focused on the book. When she finally looked up, a day had passed.

Zoe, observing Tiffany’s absorption, leaned closer. “Tiffany, is this book that good? I can’t understand a word!”

“Because all your intelligence has been used up by your beauty,” Tiffany retorted swiftly.

Zoe was momentarily taken aback. Was that a compliment or an insult?

Tiffany winked, about to speak, when she saw Kenneth walking nearby. Hesitating, she called, “Kenneth!”

He stopped but didn't turn, his back to her. Bathed in the setting sun, his figure seemed ethereal, aloof. Unknown to Tiffany, his palms were sweating.

“Thank you,” Tiffany said—polite, detached, unfamiliar even to herself.

Kenneth finally replied, “You’re welcome,” and strode away, his shadow lengthening in the fading light.

Zoe was surprised by their non-confrontational exchange. “I’m still not used to this change in him. He seems… pitiful.”

Tiffany shook her head. “He’s the least pitiful person in the world. Stop staring. Let’s go.”

Packing the book, Tiffany and Zoe left the campus. The library search was over; now it was time for shopping.

Walking, Zoe asked, “Tiffany, are you nervous?”

Tiffany was puzzled. “Huh? Nervous about what?”

“Your engagement party is in two days! Mr. Hampton’s proposal was grand; this will be too!”

Tiffany looked doubtful. “I don’t know,” she admitted. Richard had assured her he'd handle everything.

Zoe couldn’t understand Tiffany’s calm demeanor. “Aren’t you looking forward to it? Excited?”

Tiffany laughed. “I guess so,” she admitted, though she rarely showed excitement outwardly. Quickly changing the subject, she asked, “Where do you want to go for dinner?”

Zoe’s face lit up. “The nighttime street food lane! There’s a new barbecue kiosk.”

“Let’s go then,” Tiffany beamed.

The lane was bustling. Zoe quickly filled her arms with food. Seeing her greasy hands, Tiffany offered to get tissues. Returning, she found Zoe staring intently at something. “What’s wrong?”

Zoe swallowed her food. “Tiffany, I think I saw Grelle…”

(The final sentence is incomplete and possibly contains a typo. It needs clarification.)