Felicia and the person on the other end of the line remained silent. Only faint breaths and occasional electrical buzzing punctuated the silence. Bored, she fiddled with her phone in one hand and peeled a label from a herb rack with the other. Finally, she snapped, "What are you doing?"

"You tell me. What do you think I'm doing?" a deep, amused voice replied. The warmth of his voice seemed to brush against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Felicia nearly gasped at the provocative tone. She realized the once aloof Stephan, previously considered untouchable, was utterly transformed. Intimacy had unlocked a hidden side; his seductive words flowed as effortlessly as his physical touch. She gritted her teeth. "You're shameless... Goodbye!"

Just as she started to hang up, his innocent voice protested, "Tsk... Why do you always think like that?" She was speechless. His feigned victimhood was infuriating.

Leaving the storeroom, Felicia found eight physicians busy in the clinic. One, noticing her flushed face, asked, "Ms. Fuller, why is your face so red?" She touched her face, feeling the warmth. Unbidden images flooded her mind. She was easily swayed by handsome men, she admitted to herself. Clearing her throat, she said, "It's stuffy in here. I'm going outside for some air."

"Okay," the physicians replied, resuming their work.

Outside, the cool breeze revived her. The Khogend weather was exceptionally clear. Carmen had invited her hiking, and after leaving the clinic, Felicia took a taxi to her apartment. It was early, so they had lunch first. Carmen's three dishes and soup were delicious. Afterward, Felicia cleaned up, as was their routine—Felicia cleaned when Carmen cooked.

A knock came from apartment 702, Carmen's place. Carmen's expression changed. Seeing Felicia busy in the kitchen, she slipped out quietly. It was Calvin. His exposed indiscretions had cost him his job and promotion, leading to relentless harassment—threats and pleas. Her face hardened as she pretended to reach for her phone. "Leave, or I'll call the police!"

He turned, eyes bloodshot, and knelt, crying. "Carmen, I really like you! Why are you punishing me like this?" Carmen was disgusted. His shamelessness repulsed her. They were barely acquaintances, neighbors who had exchanged a few words on the street. Yet he claimed to like her, while secretly taking and altering her photos to create obscene images and videos.