Felicia had clearly underestimated Mike’s shameless persistence. For someone who always seemed the perfect gentleman—polished, composed, and annoyingly polite—Mike possessed a hidden streak of stubborn audacity. When Kerry tried to politely show him the door, Mike casually dismissed her and followed Felicia into the storeroom. Kerry hovered awkwardly nearby, unsure whether to intervene, ultimately deciding against it. After all, this was Mike, not some random troublemaker. Still, she kept a watchful eye.
Felicia ignored her unwanted guest, focusing on the colorful powders spread on the table. The air hung heavy with a strange, medicinal aroma.
“What’s that?” Mike asked, leaning closer to the array of red, yellow, blue, and green powders. Curiosity overriding caution, he reached out. “It smells… interesting. Mind if I—”
“Poison,” Felicia said with a faint smile, without looking up. “Deadly stuff. One touch and you’re gone.”
Mike’s hand froze. His expression shifted from mild curiosity to wide-eyed shock. His hand snapped back, and he instinctively took two steps back.
“Seriously?” he asked, swallowing hard. “You’re out here whipping up poison like it’s no big deal?”
Felicia finally looked up, her lips curving slightly. “Didn’t you call me a ‘tough girl’ the first time we met? Just living up to the reputation.”
Mike recalled their first encounter—Felicia, alone and unarmed, confronting a group of street thugs as if it were an ordinary Tuesday. He’d been impressed then. Now? He wasn’t so sure.
Straightening up, he cleared his throat. “Okay, fine. But… are you upset because of that woman hanging around Stephan?”
Felicia paused, her hands still hovering over the toxic powders. It took a moment to process his statement. There’s a young woman with Stephan? Well, that explains a lot.
Instead of answering, she countered, “Mr. Lawson, what is Stephan really seeking in Khogend? Don’t tell me it’s connected to the Fuller family?”
She hadn’t forgotten Stephan’s two late-night visits to the Fuller residence, coupled with his stay in Khogend under a concealed identity. Clearly, there was more to this story. Felicia wasn’t driven by idle curiosity, but the Fuller family's involvement demanded her attention. Was the unspoken tension between her and Stephan intentional or coincidental?
Mike’s expression shifted. “I… can’t answer that.”
He looked like he wanted to slap himself. Why did I even bring this up? He’d dug himself a hole. He should have remained silent.
“If you really want to know, ask Stephan directly. Anyway, I’ve got something to do. Thanks for that calming sachet you made for Sandra. I’ll see myself out!”
The man who’d been loitering shamelessly moments before bolted as if his life depended on it.
Felicia chuckled softly. The interruption gone, she refocused on her work. But Mike’s comment about the “young woman” left a strange feeling lingering. She recalled the soft, feminine voice that had answered her call to Stephan. It should be her. Clearly, their relationship wasn’t ordinary.
Felicia pushed down the faint discomfort and returned to her task. Kerry remained nearby, her eyes wide as she nervously pointed to the powders.
“Ms. F—Fuller…”
“Straighten your tongue before you speak,” Felicia said without looking up.
“Ms. Fuller!” Kerry finally managed, her voice trembling. “Is this really poison? The kind that… you know… kills on contact?”