Felicia gradually regained consciousness. The first thing she felt was an itch on her face. Struggling to open her eyes, she found herself face-to-face with Arnold, his face inches from hers; their lips almost touching. Without thinking, she punched him.

Her fist connected, but her strength hadn't fully returned. Arnold barely flinched, casually grabbing her wrist. "Felicia, my patience has limits," he said, his dark eyes boring into hers. "I don't care if you're playing hard to get or hate me, but if I want something, I'll get it!"

Felicia's blood boiled. She felt as though she might choke. Never had she encountered such shamelessness and arrogance. She sneered, "You want me? In your dreams!"

Unfazed, Arnold moved closer, pinning her other wrist. A faint floral scent, delicate and surprising for the season, wafted from her—soft, yet refreshing. For a moment, his focus faltered. Regret washed over him.

His grandfather had exerted considerable effort to arrange his engagement to Felicia, even planning a citywide spectacle. Yet, Arnold had left the engagement party to meet Kayla. If only he'd stayed; Felicia would already be his.

His gaze lingered on her lips, growing darker. He leaned in, but Felicia, summoning her remaining strength, drove her knee into his abdomen.

Arnold grunted in pain. In the same motion, he shoved a pill into her mouth. She tried to spit it out, but he held her jaw firmly, forcing her to swallow. The drug took effect swiftly, burning through her body.

Arnold's eyes hardened. He hadn't wanted to resort to this, but Felicia's resistance left him no choice. Kayla had used every seduction tactic, yet he’d resisted. Felicia was different, especially after what he'd seen at Opulent Elegance that night with Stephan. Jealousy and anger flared.

As he leaned in to kiss her, something unexpected happened. She stopped resisting, her voice soft, almost tearful. "It hurts… Could you loosen your grip, just a little?"

He paused, looking at her bruised wrist. Her flushed face and teary eyes made her appear vulnerable. His heart wavered. He softened, releasing her wrist. "Will you behave?" he asked.

Felicia nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes. The moment he released her, the despair vanished, replaced by a vicious gleam. Arnold's heart skipped a beat. Before he could react, she sprang to her feet, seizing the bedside lamp and swinging it at his head. Arnold instinctively stepped back.