After being expelled from the Fuller residence, Felicia paid no attention to Kayla's case. But the incident was impossible to ignore; it dominated conversation in Khogend. A quick newsfeed scroll revealed the latest update: Kayla had been sent to a sanatorium under the guise of a mental health diagnosis. This was precisely as Felicia had expected.
The Fullers would never abandon Kayla, regardless of her actions. Still, the damage was irreparable. Although Kayla was technically declared innocent, her reputation lay in ruins, and the public shunned her. Meanwhile, the Fuller Group continued its precipitous decline. Their shares plummeted, their market value evaporated, and their once-unassailable empire teetered on the brink of ruin. They were no longer Khogend's wealthiest family. Bankruptcy loomed. Felicia arched a brow at the news before putting her phone aside. She had other matters to attend to—a meeting, for instance. That morning, Sebastian had called three times, requesting a coffee shop meeting. She agreed, curious about his intentions.
Since her dramatic departure from the Fuller residence, Felicia had been residing at the Russell estate. The sprawling estate, far from the city's chaos, offered a surprising sense of peace. While the arrangement felt unusual initially—living under the same roof as Stephan—it proved unproblematic. Stephan was rarely home, his schedule as unpredictable as it was demanding. With him mostly absent, Felicia settled in comfortably, her initial awkwardness dissipating.
Cloud bounded toward her as she stepped outside, tail wagging enthusiastically. He circled her twice before settling obediently at her feet. Felicia crouched, scratching behind his ears with a smile. "You're looking cuter each day, aren't you, Cloud?"
The dog's fur gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting his pampered life. No longer an ordinary pup, Cloud carried himself with a proud, almost regal air. Felicia was pleased with her decision to gift him to Stephan. Cloud was thriving, growing healthier and more vibrant daily.
As she prepared to leave, one of Stephan's staff, a young man named Kenneth Hood, approached. He was assigned to drive her during her stay. "Ms. Fuller, please wait here. I'll bring the car around," he said politely, his tone professional.
"Thank you," Felicia replied with a nod.
Kenneth was efficient and unobtrusive, a combination she appreciated. His quiet demeanor made the drives more pleasant, and she found herself respecting his professionalism.
The Russell estate, perched on a hill overlooking the city, made summoning a ride nearly impossible. Half an hour later, they arrived at the coffee shop where Sebastian waited. Felicia spotted him immediately. He sat at a corner table, his posture tense. She approached, pulled out a chair, and sat across from him, offering a faint smile. "What's this about, Sebastian?" she asked, her tone light but distant.
Sebastian winced inwardly at her phrasing. Though she still called him "Sebastian," her demeanor was polite yet detached, as if an invisible barrier separated them. The slap from Myra had severed their tentative connection, returning them to square one.
"Does it still hurt?" Sebastian asked, his gaze drifting to her face.
"Nope. It's fine now," Felicia responded calmly, as if dismissing the incident entirely. But deep down, she hadn't. Felicia harbored grudges, and the memory of the slap burned brightly.
Sebastian hesitated. "Once Mom and Dad calm down, they'll bring you back home. Just bear with it for now and stay away for a little while." He paused, suddenly realizing something. "By the way, where are you staying? Is it a hotel?"
For the past few days, he'd been living at the office, working incessantly and barely catching his breath. In the chaos, he'd completely forgotten something so crucial. Felicia couldn't help but laugh—concern arriving rather late. It had been two weeks since her expulsion, and no one had bothered to inquire about her whereabouts.