Initially, only a few people noticed the commotion. However, Kayla's shout drew nearly everyone's attention. Felicia felt nauseated, the air thick and stale with Arnold's presence. Ignoring curious glances, she escaped to the garden for fresh air.
The night was beautiful; the moon shone brightly, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of flowers. Just as her anxiety eased, she caught a faint whiff of blood. Was someone hurt?
Following the scent cautiously, she passed a flourishing rose garden and rounded a corner to find a body on a cobblestone path. A tall, slender figure stood over it, his elegant fingers stained with blood, meticulously wiping them with a handkerchief—his movements suggesting a severe germaphobia. Felicia, frozen in disbelief at witnessing a murder, was startled by a flickering streetlamp. The figure slowly raised his head.
What an astonishingly handsome face! Breathtakingly beautiful, as if divinely sculpted, his features were perfect. Felicia had never seen anyone so striking; for a moment, she was dazzled. But beauty, she knew, could mask danger. His powerful presence was impossible to ignore, his sharp eyes holding a dangerous glint that intensified.
Initially, she considered fleeing, but recognizing him—Stephan, head of the powerful Russell family in Seldvale—her heart sank. She knew his ruthless nature and unpredictable temper from her past life. Why would he, a Seldvale magnate, be in Khogend, much less the Fuller residence's backyard? He wasn't on the guest list; his presence would have been widely known. He must have concealed his identity to enter unnoticed, significantly increasing the risk of her being silenced. While confident against ordinary opponents, she stood no chance against Stephan.
Feigning blindness, she felt for plants, slowly backing away. Stephan remained motionless. Relieved, she was about to accelerate her escape when the streetlamp flickered again, and Stephan appeared before her, gripping her neck. She struggled, but his iron grip held her fast. Suffocation washed over her, a horrifying echo of her past life's final moments. But she wasn't ready to die.
A flash of ferocity ignited her eyes as she mustered her strength to kick his groin. It was futile; he anticipated her move, tightening his grip. He chuckled, amused by her futile attempt.
Her chance of escape vanished. Suffocation intensified; a whimper escaped as tears streamed down her cheeks. In the dim light, her tear-filled eyes and desperate expression might have softened anyone's heart. Then, Stephan gently wiped away her tears. His touch—cold yet warm.
"What beautiful eyes you have. You look quite pitiful when you cry..." His flirty tone and soothing voice resembled a lover's whisper, yet the deadly intent sent chills down her spine.
Myra's call from the garden—searching for her—reached her ears. Just as Felicia thought she'd die, Stephan released her, warning, "I assume you know what to say and what not to say, right?"
Felicia nodded hoarsely, "Yes, I didn't see anything at all." Seeing Myra approach, Felicia turned to leave, intending to take Myra with her. But as she did, the streetlamp flickered and exploded, leaving only shattered pieces. Stephan and the body had vanished, leaving only the lingering scent of blood.
"Licia, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you," Myra exclaimed, worry etched on her face.
"I'm fine," Felicia replied, glancing at the ground. She'd smelled blood on Stephan, meaning he'd likely been attacked and injured; the body was probably his attacker's. But why were they at the Fuller residence?
Suppressing her confusion, she excused herself to freshen up, concealing Stephan's marks on her neck before rejoining Myra in the hall, where Kayla and Arnold, seemingly reconciled, performed a piano duet. They looked surprisingly compatible.
Myra, hesitant, finally spoke on their return, "Licia, I don't think… I don't think you've called me 'Mom' yet."
Felicia's gaze shifted, but Kayla's call, "Mom! Come here quickly!" interrupted her. Felicia smiled inwardly, "Look, someone's already doing that on my behalf," and said nothing.
The party neared its end. Matthew rose, leaning on his cane. The guests paused, anticipating an announcement.
Matthew chuckled, "You're right! I came here today to make an announcement!"—the announcement of the families' marriage. Kayla's expectant smile remained unwavering. The potential alliance had circulated in Khogend, causing little surprise.
Guests joked, "Mr. Lawson Senior, if you're here to announce the marriage between the Lawson and Fuller families, we've already suspected it. Why not tell us which young lady has caught your eye?" "Yeah, Mr. Lawson Senior, the Fuller family has two young ladies!"
Kayla bristled. Were they blind? Didn't they see she and Arnold were perfect? Even without Matthew's announcement, only she should be Mrs. Lawson.
Matthew ended the suspense, turning to Dexter and Myra, "Let's talk about the marriage. My grandson, Arnold, is set to marry your daughter, Felicia."