The other young socialites, eager participants moments before, now watched from the sidelines, licking their wounds and laughing nervously. They had lost far more than anticipated, while Felicia hadn't lost a single round. Arnold's face was ashen, his pride utterly trampled.

"Come on, Felicia, you don't have X-ray vision, do you?" one teased, attempting to lighten the mood.

Felicia smirked. "Nah, I just have really good hearing."

Her playful reply erupted in laughter. Unbeknownst to Felicia, her gambling spree had caught the attention of an observer above.

Stephan stood at the edge of the upper level, his gaze fixed on the scene below. Felicia sat in the center of the group, surrounded. Arnold sat opposite, miserable. Even from a distance, Stephan heard the lively chatter and laughter echoing through the room.

"She's drawing quite a crowd," he remarked, his tone neutral yet authoritative. He paused. "Bring her up."

His assistant bowed and left immediately.

Felicia had just cashed in her chips, her mood buoyant from her winnings, when one of Stephan's men approached.

"Ms. Fuller, Mr. Russell would like to see you."

Her brows lifted in surprise. She hadn't expected Stephan to be here. Though staying at the Russell estate, their paths hadn't crossed in days. Curiosity piqued, she followed the man upstairs.

The fifth floor was eerily quiet, cleared of all staff except Stephan's discreetly positioned personnel. Felicia walked the long corridor unimpeded until she spotted him at the far end. His back was to her; he held his phone, speaking in a tone she'd never heard before—soft, almost tender.

"Don't cry. Focus on your recovery. The child will be fine."

The warmth in his voice contrasted sharply with his usual coldness. Felicia froze, her thoughts racing.

Who was he talking to? Abbie, the actress she'd seen at the estate, immediately came to mind. Could it be her? It made sense; Abbie and Stephan were clearly more than acquaintances. Why else would he so readily offer her resources? He was clearly trying to elevate her status.

She recalled Abbie's tearful departure. Had they reconciled? And now… a child?

Her heart sank; she instinctively retreated. Her mind buzzed with unwelcome thoughts.

While lost in her musings, Stephan turned after ending his call. Before she could react, he stood before her, his handsome face startlingly close. Felicia instinctively stepped back, her heel catching on a rug, sending her tumbling.

Stephan reached for her, but Felicia dodged his outstretched hand, landing gracelessly on the floor. For a split second, she felt a shift in his gaze; his dark eyes grew colder, harder to read. The air felt heavier, sharper, as if he barely contained his irritation. He seemed angry.

Felicia blinked, confused. What could he be upset about?

Then, Stephan let out a low, icy laugh. "What's this? Have you set your sights on Arnold now?"

What did Arnold have to do with anything?

Felicia was about to reply when a commotion behind her drew everyone's attention. Arnold, having seen Felicia taken upstairs and fearing for her, had followed. Seeing her on the floor, something snapped inside him.

His expression darkened. With barely restrained anger, he stormed over, pulling Felicia up and shielding her from Stephan. Arnold's icy glare locked onto Stephan; his posture was protective and unyielding.