How to update other fields but retain the user profile image

I want to update the User first_name or last_name but not the profile image

here is my profile controller:

    /**
     * Update the user's profile information.
     */
    public function update(ProfileUpdateRequest $request): RedirectResponse
    {
        $path = null;
        $request->user()->fill($request->validated());

        if ($request->user()->isDirty('email')) {
            $request->user()->email_verified_at = null;
        }

        if ($request->hasFile('image_path')){
            $path = $request->image_path->store('avatar', 'public');
        }else{

        }

        $request->user()->image_path = $path;
        $request->user()->save();

        return Redirect::route('profile.edit')->with('status', 'profile-updated');
    }

here is my profile update controller:

class ProfileUpdateRequest extends FormRequest
{
    /**
     * Get the validation rules that apply to the request.
     *
     * @return array<string, IlluminateContractsValidationRule|array|string>
     */
    public function rules(): array
    {
        return [
            'first_name'        => ['string', 'max:255'],
            'last_name'         => ['string', 'max:255'],
            'email'             => ['email', 'max:255', Rule::unique(User::class)->ignore($this->user()->id)],
            'image_path'        => 'required|file|mimes:jpeg,png,jpg|max:2048',
        ];
    }
}