Felicia was never stingy with her people. She immediately transferred twenty million to Scarlet. Half was payment for hiring her as a bodyguard; the rest covered her expenses.

Scarlet was startled. She had initially thought this job might leave her at a loss. “You’re so generous! Aren’t you worried I’ll just take the money and run?”

Felicia stretched lazily. “The extra can count as sparring fees.”

Over the past few days, Felicia hadn’t been idle outside her pharmaceutical work. Every morning, she adhered to her rigorous training regimen. Dissatisfied with her combat skills, she pushed herself with additional practice.

Initially, Scarlet merely watched, but her interest was piqued. She volunteered to spar with Felicia, who eagerly accepted. The result? She was thoroughly beaten.

Despite her decent close-combat skills, she was no match for Scarlet. As a mercenary, Scarlet possessed superior strength, technique, and real combat experience. After several sparring sessions, Felicia was covered in bruises, but she had also improved significantly.

Scarlet clicked her tongue and teased, “For all that, these sparring fees are pretty low. Think about acting as your punching bag, your sparring partner, and your bodyguard: do you know how tough that is?”

Felicia laughed and scolded, “Be grateful. You’re getting paid to beat up your boss. Isn’t that satisfying enough?”

Scarlet rubbed her chin with a smirk. “Can’t argue with that. It is pretty satisfying.”

Felicia was speechless. She had somehow managed to create a situation where only the employer suffered.

Scarlet laughed heartily, but she did offer some reassurance. “Don’t feel bad. Your close-combat skills are impressive. They’re better than I expected. I was even thinking of teaching you a trick or two, but it seems you won’t need them.”

Scarlet asked, “By the way, where did you learn your fighting style? Your moves are so similar to mine. Yesterday, when I watched you, I almost thought I was the one who taught you.”

“That’s impossible,” Felicia chuckled.

Her fighting skills stemmed from her past life. After Arnold sent her to prison, one of her cellmates had taught her. At that time, Felicia had been tormented to the point of blindness in one eye and a broken leg. It was the darkest period of her life, barely distinguishable from death. This combat technique had helped her survive, allowing her to defend herself and fight back against bullies in prison.

The memory of her cellmate surfaced in her mind. If she ever had the chance to meet her again, Felicia vowed to repay her kindness.

She shook her head and sank into the couch. Just as she was about to answer Scarlet’s question, Scarlet’s words flashed through her mind: “Yesterday, when I watched you, I almost thought I was the one who taught you.”

Felicia fell into a stunned silence. She stared intently at Scarlet, scrutinizing her as if trying to uncover a secret. Could it be? Could Scarlet be that cellmate?

A gasp escaped her lips. What were the odds?

Scarlet noticed Felicia’s unrelenting stare and chuckled. “What’s the matter, boss? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?”

“How old are you?” Felicia asked abruptly.

Scarlet’s grin widened as she let out a whistle. “I’m sixteen.”

Felicia rolled her eyes in frustration. “I’m being serious!”

Scarlet raised an eyebrow. “I’m twenty-eight. Nine years older than you.”

As expected, even their ages matched!

Felicia inhaled sharply. With no one else around, she reached out to lift Scarlet’s shirt. Felicia vividly remembered a terrifying scar across her cellmate’s stomach—a penetrating wound. As she lifted the fabric, Scarlet’s abdomen was revealed. It was taut and muscular, with beautifully defined abs and smooth lines that exuded the strength of years of rigorous training. Her sculpted physique carried a bold, untamed feminine allure.