Felicia was on the verge of losing control. The bronze bell in her mind rang louder, driving her toward a killing frenzy. Her whole body trembled as she fought against the splitting headache that threatened to tear her apart. She could barely hang on.
Gritting her teeth, sweat pouring down her face, she gasped, “Get… a rope. Tie me up. I’ll pay you… Hurry!”
Only then did Scarlet notice something was wrong. Felicia was sitting by the flowerbed, her face contorted in pain, eyes bloodshot, and fists clenched tight as if on the brink of madness. This was no joke.
Scarlet immediately abandoned her playful demeanor. She pulled a rope from her bag and tied Felicia’s arms behind her back. Unfortunately, it was daytime, and few people passed by. If anyone saw them, they would think Scarlet was a kidnapper.
Felicia, aware of the risk, used the last of her clarity to murmur, “Take me back to Khogend… To my clinic… Find…”
Before she could finish, she collapsed. Scarlet caught her just in time. She removed her leather jacket, draped it over Felicia, and carried her away from the hospital.
“Oh, my poor boss, you owe me extra for this!” Scarlet muttered, shaking her head.
That day, Imogen gave birth to a baby boy named Caleb. That day, Felicia disappeared from the hospital. That day, Stephan left his sister and nephew only to discover Felicia was gone. He searched the entire hospital before breaking into the surveillance room, where footage showed her being taken away. That day, in a shadowy corner unnoticed, someone stood with a sinister presence. The scorching summer wind carried stifling heat.
When Felicia woke, she saw a white ceiling and tightly drawn curtains. The air smelled of bitter, familiar herbs. She recognized her clinic, Union Clinic.
A breath of relief escaped her lips. She remembered everything before she passed out. The money wasn’t wasted; Scarlet had delivered her to Khogend and her clinic.
Felicia opened her mouth, her voice hoarse. “Scar…”
“Oh, you’re awake?” The curtain parted, flooding the room with light. Scarlet stood at the bedside, her tone tinged with grievance. “On top of travel expenses, you’re covering medical bills too!”
The sudden brightness stung Felicia’s eyes. Once adjusted, she saw Scarlet and was stunned. Bruises marred Scarlet’s face—one on her forehead, another on her mouth. She looked as though she’d been in a fight or was a victim of domestic violence.
Felicia blurted, “Who did this to you?”
Scarlet fell silent, her expression complex. “You.”
Felicia choked, taking a moment to compose herself before sitting up. “Explain.”
Seeing Felicia’s cluelessness, Scarlet felt her bruises throb anew. She recounted what happened after Felicia collapsed. After carrying Felicia from the hospital and boarding the helicopter to Khogend—a costly flight—Felicia had awakened mid-flight and immediately attacked everyone around her.