Chapter 555

After Stephan left, Felicia found herself bored. The weather was pleasant, so she went downstairs, found a clean spot near a flowerbed, and sat down to enjoy the sun. She opened a mobile game to pass the time.

The game's sound effects filled the air. After a few rounds, however, Felicia lost interest and tossed her phone aside. The moment she stopped playing, memories of last night's bronze bell flooded back.

She couldn't stop thinking about the fruitless hours spent searching for clues. Frustration mounted.

Then, a thought struck her.

Wait!

Felicia froze, staring blankly at her hand, suspicion creeping in. Could someone have cursed her? The bell's sound could be a means of manipulation, using the curse as a medium to control her!

If so, her investigation had been completely misguided. The real culprit wasn't the bell; it was a curse!

Felicia had checked her pulse and found it normal, which is why she hadn't considered this possibility before. She'd assumed the bronze bell was the source of the problem.

But how could she have heard it in different locations if it were truly the bell? It didn't make sense!

However, viewed through the lens of a curse, everything fell into place! Whoever cast the curse didn't need to be near her. They could use the bell to control a venomous creature implanted within her body.

Felicia felt her pulse. It was steady, though slightly fatigued. Otherwise, she felt no signs of poisoning.

Given her medical expertise, no venomous creature should have evaded her detection unless it had been implanted in childhood. If that were the case, the creature would have become integrated into her body, making removal impossible.

Who could it be? Felicia racked her brain, searching her childhood memories. Mostly, she recalled chores, beatings, and leftover food in broken bowls. There were no memories of a venomous creature being implanted, or perhaps she was too young to remember.

Felicia shook her head in frustration and felt a wave of dizziness. Then, the eerie bell chimed again in her mind, a haunting curse. Felicia's gaze hardened. It was happening again!

She gripped her hand tightly, fighting the urge. But before she could focus, a shadow fell over her, followed by the familiar voice from last night's phone call. "Boss, what are you doing in this godforsaken place? It's so remote. No airport or train station. I had to call a helicopter! You owe me for travel expenses!"

It was Scarlet, the mercenary.

Scarlet had set out immediately after accepting Felicia's request. Dressed in her signature leather jacket and pants, her hair cascading down her shoulders, she looked both feminine and bold, as striking as ever. A black bag, undoubtedly containing weapons, hung from her shoulder.

Felicia struggled to control her trembling hands. Her voice was hoarse, but she managed a smile. "Perfect timing. You're just in time. Did you bring any ropes? Help me up!"

"What?" Scarlet was incredulous. Even as a mercenary, Felicia's request left her speechless. "Boss, I understand if you don't want to pay me back, but isn't this going too far?"