After the initial surge of anger, Stephan's face darkened as he summoned his subordinates. The chaotic scene before them spoke volumes; something inappropriate had occurred. His men exchanged shocked glances, realizing their usually composed boss had been with a woman. Stephan's voice was frigid, his aura heavy with pressure. "Find that woman and bring her to me." He always kept his word. Felicia, however, who dared to scheme against him, was as good as dead.
"Yes, Mr. Russell," his subordinates replied, bowing and quickly departing, acutely aware of the chilling atmosphere he exuded.
Felicia retraced her steps to the dressing room. She successfully changed back into her own clothes, then retrieved her phone and needle case. She tossed Stephan's expensive suit jacket and the tablecloth into a nearby laundry basket. She encountered no one from the Lawson family or their bodyguards. Uncertain how the banquet concluded, she stopped the janitor to inquire about the latest gossip.
The janitor, upon hearing Felicia's question, immediately put down her mop, exclaiming, "Oh, you've come to the right person! I was there yesterday. I saw it all!"
Through the janitor's animated account, Felicia learned that after she fled, Matthew's bodyguards failed to find her, nor could they retrieve Arnold, who was waiting at the hospital with Kayla. Consequently, neither Felicia nor Arnold attended the latter part of the banquet. Matthew's fury was immense, and the banquet could not proceed without them. However, with numerous guests already present, the drone performance and city-wide fireworks display went ahead as planned. Finally, as guests departed, Matthew, overwhelmed by rage, coughed up blood and was rushed to the hospital.
"Oh, how tragic," Felicia remarked, feigning surprise. Her expression, however, lacked any genuine compassion.
The janitor glanced around before whispering, "I heard the bride ran away because she was forced into the wedding. These wealthy families… they're shameless!"
"Exactly!" Felicia agreed. "Totally shameless!"
She quickly left Pristine Hall, only to find the entrances locked down upon exiting. A search was underway. Felicia ducked her head, hailed a cab back to school, and stopped at a pharmacy for supplies. After taking her medication, she sighed in relief, but her predicament soon weighed heavily on her. She needed help; she was truly caught between a rock and a hard place. Burying her head in her pillow, she groaned, "I can't keep living like this…"
Meanwhile, Pristine Hall remained on lockdown. In one of the rooms, Abbie, scantily clad, spoke quietly into her phone. "Jamie, did you get the clothes? It's almost 9:00 am! I have to go to my casting!"
"I got them, but I can't get in! The place is locked down!"
Jamie's voice was exasperated. "What the heck is Mr. Quinn thinking, not leaving you a single outfit? If you're late for this casting, you won't even land a supporting role."
Abbie attempted a self-deprecating smile. "I'm probably secure in the role of a third female lead with Mr. Quinn."
Jamie sighed. "Alright, Abbie, don't dwell on it. Things will get better. Right now you need to find some clothes and get out of there. I'll be waiting for you at the O entrance."
"Got it."
After hanging up, Abbie frowned, wrapped herself in a bed sheet, and cautiously left the room.