Felicia nodded. "I'm fine with it. Are you sure you won't get caught?"

"Don't worry," Carmen laughed, quickly returning with the alcohol. "My dad and stepmom took my little brother out. I'm home alone, so I won't get caught! Cheers!"

"Cheers!" They clinked glasses.

Felicia didn't ask why Carmen was alone, just as Carmen didn't ask why Felicia, the Fuller heiress, was spending New Year's Eve alone. They exchanged a knowing smile and finished their drinks. A silent understanding passed between them.

The room warmed as they ate stew and sipped their drinks. The air filled with the aroma of food and a delicate floral fragrance. Outside, fireworks mixed with the sounds of the television. They continued eating and drinking.

Gradually, Carmen became intoxicated. After a burp, she asked, "Felicia, what's the one thing you want most right now?"

Felicia paused. An unexpected image flashed through her mind. She shook her head, then laughed. "I want money, power, and everything else I can have."

"Hahaha... Who doesn't want that?" Carmen laughed loudly, jumped onto a chair, and raised a hand. "I want to sail the seas and see what the end of the ocean looks like!" Felicia laughed, propping her head up.

The stove was turned off, the stew simmering down. Carmen jumped from the chair, grabbed another drink, her face flushed, swaying as she walked. Soon, she collapsed.

Felicia dragged her to the guest bedroom—fortunately, her apartment had two. After settling Carmen, Felicia started to clean when Carmen grabbed her hand. Her eyes barely open, she mumbled, "I'm going to conquer the stars and the sea!"

"Okay, okay. You can conquer whatever you want," Felicia chuckled, feeling amused and helpless. Carmen soon fell asleep, her snores soft.

Felicia left the room, cleaned the table, and refrigerated the leftover stew ingredients. She opened the window, letting in the cold night air. A snowflake melted in her outstretched hand. Smiling, she whispered, "Happy New Year, Felicia."

Meanwhile, a lavish New Year's Eve dinner sat steaming on the Fuller family's table, a dozen fragrant dishes. Despite the abundance, little appetite was present. Since Dexter had rejected Myra's suggestion to invite Kayla, she hadn't spoken to him in two days. Only Sebastian seemed unaffected, calmly observing. "Dad, Mom, why aren't you eating?"

"I have no appetite!" Myra turned away, glaring at Dexter.