Stephen’s words caught Felicia off guard. So, the reason Stephen had rushed back to Khogend, leaving everything behind in Seldvale, was because he thought she was in danger, as she had been unreachable? She recalled Mike mentioning that during her seven-day disappearance, Stephen had deployed numerous resources to find her.
Pressing her lips together, Felicia forced a small smile. “So, it seems I owe you another favor?” Her tone was polite but distant.
Stephen’s expression darkened, his frustration barely contained. He chuckled bitterly. “Yes, you’re right. I do have ulterior motives for coming to Khogend.”
“Oh…” Felicia let out a small exhale, her shoulders relaxing slightly. But her apparent relief only stoked the fire within Stephen. Was he that intolerable?
A heavy silence lingered between them as Stephen’s jaw tightened. His hand around her waist instinctively clenched tighter, as though trying to anchor her. But something inside him shifted when his gaze locked onto Felicia’s calm, detached eyes. Without a word, his hand loosened, and he stepped back.
For a fleeting moment, Felicia saw a flicker of the man she had first met—the one who exuded a cold, unapproachable air. That same unyielding indifference and aloofness, building an impenetrable wall between them, had returned in full force. Stephen turned and left.
His commanding presence had parted the crowd in the clinic upon his arrival. His sharp gaze had found Felicia instantly; his steps were purposeful and resolute. There had even been a softness in his expression when he looked at her, a rare moment of warmth that thawed his otherwise icy demeanor. But as he walked away, his demeanor turned sharp and oppressive. A storm was brewing beneath his surface. The chilling air he left in his wake silenced the entire hall. The senior physicians and assistants, who had been busy moments before, froze, a collective shiver running down their spines.
Felicia emerged from the herb storeroom soon after, her expression calm and collected. Spotting Kerry still lingering, she raised an eyebrow. “Thinking about skipping out on your bonus? Get going and buy the herbs.”
“Oh, right! I’m on it!” Kerry clutched the list and bolted out the door, not daring to linger.
Union Clinic had been growing steadily under Felicia’s leadership. With more staff and generous pay, everyone was kept on their toes. No one wanted to risk losing their hefty bonuses. The eight senior physicians kept their heads low, pretending to be preoccupied with their work. Curiosity burned in their eyes, but no one dared ask about the mysterious man or his connection to Felicia.
Returning to her tasks, Felicia busied herself in the storeroom. The next two days passed uneventfully. As promised, she crafted a calming sachet emitting a subtle fragrance of jasmine and osmanthus, making it pleasant and soothing. The sachet was made with carefully selected ingredients to ensure it was safe for a child, whether carried or placed by a pillow.
Once it was ready, Felicia called Mike to pick it up. He arrived quickly, stepping into the clinic just as Felicia came out of the storeroom. She handed him the two sachets she had made.
Mike raised an eyebrow, bringing one to his nose and sniffing curiously. “Osmanthus and jasmine?”
“Yep. Let Sandra smell them first. If she likes the scent, she can keep them. It’ll help her sleep better.”
“Thanks!” Mike’s grin was broad and genuine as he carefully tucked the sachets into his pockets.
Felicia waved casually, signaling he was free to leave. But Mike hesitated, shifting on his feet.
“What’s up?” Felicia prompted.
Clearing his throat, Mike scratched his nose sheepishly. “Did you and Stephen have a fight or something? I went to see him yesterday, and he slammed the door in my face.”
Felicia blinked, caught off guard. She then laughed. “No, you’re overthinking it.” It hardly counted as an argument; it was more like clearing up a misunderstanding. Felicia wasn’t about to dwell on it. She had bigger things to deal with. Turning to Kerry, she said simply, “See him out.”