It was because Felicia knew too much. Stephan moved closer, the distance between them now mere inches, creating an intimate tension. His gaze was piercing as he repeated, "How did you know I was drugged?"
Felicia's heart raced, but she forced herself to appear calm. "I learned later the scar-removal ointment was problematic. Two drugs went missing from the Walsh family's medicine room. After my falling out with Kayla, I realized she'd used this to scheme against me. It was an unfortunate coincidence that I gave you that ointment. We have no deep-seated hatred, so when you sought me out, I guessed it was related. It's a misunderstanding."
Felicia adopted an innocent expression, attempting to smooth over the inconsistencies in her story. Stephan let out a cold laugh. "So, after discovering the ointment was problematic, you didn't warn me?"
Felicia's back was slick with sweat. Saying yes would imply she'd schemed against him; saying no wouldn't explain her knowledge. Her gaze darted around as she continued to feign innocence. "When I sent it, you were so dismissive, I thought you wouldn't use it."
Her shamelessness almost amused Stephan. After all this time, she was trying to shift the blame. He must have been too patient. Seeing his anger surface, Felicia quickly offered a condition. "Mr. Russell, aren't you looking for something in the Fuller family? I could help. Consider it amends." Although Stephan hadn't explicitly stated his intentions, his actions—sneaking into Khogend and infiltrating the Fuller residence twice—clearly indicated ulterior motives. Felicia's suggestion was timely, but Stephan wasn't listening.
His mind replayed the chaotic events of the night he'd lost control. He'd dragged a woman into his room and vaguely recalled hearing her say, "I'll help you counteract the drug effects. Just wait a moment!" Had she said that? He couldn't remember clearly. The woman's temperament felt vaguely familiar, driving him nearly mad. The next day, furious, he'd wanted to torture the woman who'd dared to scheme against him. But what if that woman was Felicia?
The thought sent an ominous glint into Stephan's eyes, making Felicia's heart race. What did that look mean? Was he suspecting her? Felicia cautiously stepped back, feeling anxious. Stephan only gave her a long, hard look before shifting his gaze and walking away. He neither pressed her further nor accepted her offer of amends.
Felicia let out a silent sigh of relief, only to realize her back was drenched in sweat. Had she passed this test? Would she no longer live in fear? Would he stop seeking her out? She felt a mix of emotions. Stephan's personality was even more unpredictable than the rumors suggested, making him impossible to gauge.
Unknown to Felicia, Stephan's first act after leaving was to give orders to his subordinates: "Investigate everything about the Lawson family's engagement party, especially Felicia's whereabouts that night. I want every detail! Leave no stone unturned!"