"Just do it. No need to ask me next time," Felicia said. "Opportunities are fleeting. Jupiter Group's foundation is unstable; while we need caution, we must often be proactive and decisive."
Besides, if the Fuller family's collapse was inevitable, what difference did it make who acquired their assets? She felt no guilt. The business world was a battlefield, a constant clash of visible and invisible forces; some win, some lose.
"Understood, Ms. Fuller."
Vincent, his hesitation gone, hung up and began making his moves. Felicia's fingers lightly tapped the desk; her mind elsewhere. The media and internet were awash with reports alleging the Fuller family murdered Mina. They were unlikely to escape unscathed if the investigation continued, regardless of their innocence.
In her previous life, the Fuller family faced bankruptcy, but not because of Kayla's alleged murder; it was due to business troubles. This time, however, their downfall stemmed from negative public opinion. Was this Stephan's doing? What had the Fuller family stolen from him to provoke such drastic revenge?
She had many questions, but exhaustion from sleepless nights overwhelmed her. Her body slumped from the couch, curling into a sleep.
A chill washed over Felicia in the liminal space between sleep and wakefulness. She felt as if she had returned to the moment of her release from prison in her past life. A small truck had deliberately struck her in the snow, her life and warmth ebbing away…
She saw Arnold's face, filled with hatred and resentment. She saw Kayla, her innocent facade masking a smug, provocative smile. She saw Myra and Dexter, cold and determined, driving her from the house, their angry voices echoing, "Bringing you back into the Fuller family was the biggest mistake we ever made!"
Back then, everyone believed she had pushed Kayla into the sea, that she had killed her. "I didn't! I didn't…" Felicia murmured uneasily in her sleep, her brows furrowed. But no one believed her.
Trapped in the nightmare, she remained unaware of the tall, slender figure half-kneeling beside her, his dark eyes fixed on her. He sighed softly, gently stroking her trembling back. She remained oblivious.
In her previous life, the pain of her final moments had been acute. After Arnold kicked her, her broken ribs pierced her lung. Suffocation overwhelmed her, consciousness fading. As darkness descended, her heartbeat slowed. Footsteps approached, a low, clear voice indifferent. "Tch… How pathetic." A coat fell over her, covering her exposed body.
Who was that person?
Felicia strained to see, but only darkness remained. Suddenly, she jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat. Darkness filled the room, only moonlight filtering through the window, causing the curtains to flutter gently. Huh?