Felicia felt a little guilty. Scarlet stopped laughing and raised her eyebrows. “I really have to thank you. After I told them I’m your personal bodyguard, not only did the Russell family not send me away, but they even treated me to good food and drink.”
Felicia clicked her tongue, then shook her head with a sigh. “In the past, I never would have even dared to imagine this.”
“That’s good.” Felicia relaxed her brows and smiled.
At that moment, Stanley approached and addressed Felicia, “Ma’am, where are you going?”
Felicia didn’t answer, but asked in return, “What’s the matter?”
Stanley scratched his head, looking somewhat awkward. After a pause, he replied, “Ma’am, Mr. Russell instructed that if you’re going out, we must follow you to ensure your safety.”
Even though Felicia hadn’t gone out in the last two days, she knew rumors were already spreading. Everyone outside knew Stephan had been poisoned, and there was no cure in sight. It wouldn’t be long before bold individuals tried to take advantage of the situation and target the Russell family. Other probing attempts were sure to follow.
Since Felicia was in Seldvale, she would inevitably become a target. Anyone who investigated would soon realize her special position in Stephan’s heart. In the eyes of others, she was Stephan’s Achilles’ heel.
Felicia paused. Unwilling to ruin Stephan’s plans, she responded, “I’m not going out. I’m just taking a walk nearby.” After all, the Russell family owned vast land; the entire mountain belonged to them. Even driving nearby would keep her within the Russell residence, much less a simple walk.
Stanley visibly relaxed and lowered his head respectfully. “Alright, ma’am. Feel free to stroll. If you need anything, just call me. I’ll be there right away.”
Felicia walked a little further and turned to look at Scarlet. “Any news about the missing persons case?”
“Only some partial information,” Scarlet replied, taking out her phone. She opened a message and handed her phone to Felicia.
Felicia flipped through it. The first report concerned recent missing persons, mostly young women. Jennifer was one of them. Two others had also disappeared: one while visiting relatives, the other on her way to a part-time job. At first glance, there seemed to be no common thread; the disappearances occurred in different locations and cities. On the surface, they seemed unrelated.
Felicia continued to scroll and reached the second report, detailing Jennifer’s background. Her parents worked away from home frequently, and Jennifer grew up with her grandmother. Her family was ordinary, with no known enemies or external disputes. Her boyfriend, Clark Scott, was a university classmate. Their two-and-a-half-year relationship had been stable.
The last report was a video inquiry into Clark. Felicia clicked to watch it. She remembered seeing the young couple; they had seemed perfectly matched, radiating youth and energy. But now, the young woman was missing, and the young man in the video looked disheveled, with rough stubble and bloodshot eyes.
When asked about the events before and after Jennifer’s disappearance, Clark covered his head and recounted, “During that time, I was with my girlfriend. We went on a trip during the break and then returned to Seldvale. That night, I was taking my girlfriend home. She was video-calling her grandmother while I walked ahead. Suddenly, I heard the sound of her phone hitting the ground. I turned around, and she was gone. I only saw a van drive by. I tried to chase it but couldn’t catch up. She was taken right in front of me. If I hadn’t walked so fast, if I had just stayed by her side, maybe she wouldn’t have been kidnapped! It’s my fault! It’s all my fault! She’s such a scaredy-cat. Just how terrified she must be!”