In her room, Felicia lay awake, unable to return to sleep after a vivid dream. Hearing the puppy's excited barking, she threw on a jacket and shoes, hurrying to investigate. She worried Olivia might have returned for revenge, perhaps even setting fire to the house. But Felicia never anticipated the sight that greeted her as she stepped outside: a tall, striking figure utterly out of place in the quiet village. He emanated a chilling air of authority.

Under the moonlight, his captivating face was almost ethereal. Felicia gasped, recognizing Stephan. Instantly, the passionate memories of their encounter flooded back—the intense longing, the fervent embrace, a dazzling, firework-like experience. She quickly suppressed these thoughts, unwilling to dwell on them.

In the yard, Stephan held the puppy by the scruff of its neck. His long fingers and prominent knuckles, with visible veins, were stark against the dim light. The puppy's excited barks subsided into whimpers under his grasp. Then, Stephan released the dog, his dark eyes locking onto Felicia's.

Felicia forced a smile. "What a coincidence!"

"It's not a coincidence," Stephan replied smoothly, approaching her. "I came specifically to catch you." He stressed the word "catch."

A chill ran down Felicia's spine. Without hesitation, she fled. Macey, inside, slept soundly, unusually deep for the light sleeper. Felicia didn't want to disturb her, so she darted past the bamboo fence and ran towards the back of the mountain.

Stephan didn't rush; in fact, he chuckled softly. Could she really escape? As he started to follow, he felt a tug on his pants leg. Looking down, he saw the puppy, its small tail tucked between its legs despite its earlier bravado, refusing to let go. "Mr. Russell, what are you doing...?"

Unfazed, Stephan casually stroked the dog's head. "I'm taking a hostage. Is there a problem?"

His subordinate swallowed the retort.

Holding the dog, Stephan pursued Felicia at a steady, determined pace. His subordinates offered to help, but Stephan waved them off. "I'll handle it myself. You stay put." "Understood!"

The subordinates exchanged glances, retreating with shared confusion. Their usually meticulous boss was now holding a dog, seemingly with affection. One finally spoke, "What exactly are we here for?" Wasn't this about settling a score? Now, it seemed entirely different.