Stephan shot Mike a glance, his tone light and dismissive. "It's not what I did to her. It's that she wanted to throw herself at me."

Mike's ears perked up. "Go on, tell me more."

"Get lost."

"How stingy," Mike muttered, disappointed.

Then, remembering something, he raised an eyebrow. "If nothing unexpected happens, Ms. Fuller will soon be engaged to my nephew, Arnold. She's about to become part of the Lawson family." The news of Matthew's proposed engagement had already spread throughout Khogend. Felicia's rejection seemed inconsequential; everyone else considered her refusal ungrateful, mere gamesmanship. To outsiders, the engagement was a fait accompli.

Stephan's lips curved into a faint, amused smile. "But what if something unexpected does happen?"

"Unlikely. My grandfather personally investigated Felicia's background. Afterward, he was adamant about arranging her engagement to Arnold. And once he decides, no one can change his mind."

Mike clicked his tongue. "Besides, Arnold himself isn't enthusiastic. Just the other day, I overheard him planning to make her life difficult, hoping she'll withdraw. I don't get his logic. Instead of confronting our grandfather, who forced this engagement on him, he's tormenting the poor girl. He's twisted."

Mike shook his head in disdain. "It's a cruel twist of fate. If Felicia hadn't been switched at birth, she and Arnold would have grown up together as childhood sweethearts. Their engagement would have been natural. Such a shame." He paused, realizing Stephan had earlier commented on Felicia's engagement.

Mike thought, "What if something goes wrong?" He gasped dramatically, narrowing his eyes. "Stephan, you're not interested in Ms. Fuller, are you?"

Stephan scoffed. "Do I look like I have that much free time?"

"Good point..." Mike mused. Countless women pursued Stephan, but he was notoriously uninterested. No woman had ever gotten close. The thought was terrifying. Mike crossed his arms, looking horrified. "Wait, don't tell me... Do you like men?"

Stephan gave him a deadpan look. "Where's my knife?"

"Kidding, just kidding," Mike laughed nervously, putting distance between them. "My daughter's waiting for her diaper change. I should go."

Stephan glanced at him with disdain and tossed a neatly wrapped gift box from the back seat. "For your daughter."

"Thanks." Mike accepted it.

Stephan asked offhandedly, "Your daughter's one year old now, right? Still no sign of her mother?"

"None, not a single clue. It's like she vanished," Mike said bitterly. "Sandra's starting to talk. She calls for her mom all the time. When she cries, I'm the only one who can calm her."

Stephan simply said, "It's getting late. You should go home."

"Yeah, will do."

At the Lawson residence, as Mike entered, a little girl stumbled toward him. Sandra Lawson reached out.

In a sweet voice, she called, "Dad."

Mike's heart softened. He scooped her up and kissed her cheeks. "Sandra, did you miss me?"

"Yeah," Sandra nodded eagerly, her ponytail bouncing.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Felicia's return. Kayla's expression shifted. "Mom, Dad, why don't we arrange for Felicia to attend the same college as me? That way, we can look out for each other." She seemed to have forgotten Felicia's recent slap. Her eagerness to reconcile relieved her parents. They turned to Felicia. "Licia, what do you think?"

Kayla's college was the best in Khogend. Admission required academic excellence or significant connections. Kayla didn't believe Felicia could get in on merit, assuming she'd need connections. The comparison highlighted their differences.

Worried Felicia might be shy, Myra declared, "Darling, you should contact Mr. Dickinson, the director. They're looking to expand the dormitory, and we can make a donation."

"Sure, sure!" Dexter immediately made the call. As parents, they hadn't truly considered Felicia's past or abilities.