With the phone on speaker, Johanna's conversation with Relicta was audible to everyone present, yet incomprehensible. It was like listening to a riddle. Imogen, her lace still streaked with tears, looked confused but didn't dare interrupt.

Johanna, in her tried, sweet tone, added, "The person controlling the venomous creature has stopped for now. This time, the child will be fine. But next time… there's no guarantee. If you want to save the child, follow my instructions and meet me at Mount Farstone. Remember, Imogen, you must come alone. If anyone else comes with you and the venomous creature is triggered again, your son won't survive!"

Without giving a time or further details, Johanna abruptly hung up.

Stephan was still tracking her phone signal on his tablet. The data indicated Johanna was moving at high speed, likely in a vehicle. With her approximate location identified, the next steps were clear. He tossed the tablet to one of his men and ordered, "Go capture her. If you can't bring her back alive, dead will do." The final words were laced with unmistakable menace. His subordinates responded respectfully, and the sound of speeding cars echoed through the estate as the team departed.

Felicia approached Imogen and gently placed her fingers on Caleb's neck. The little boy was still crying, but near exhaustion. His tiny fists were clenched, flailing in discomfort.

Imogen, still teary-eyed, anxiously asked, "Is there anything you can do?"

Felicia didn't reply immediately. Instead, she applied precise pressure to a specific spot. Slowly, Caleb's cries subsided, and his tiny chest began to rise and fall more rhythmically as he drifted into unconsciousness.

"What… what did you do?" Imogen's heart skipped a beat; her voice trembled. "Did you knock him out?"

"Yes," Felicia nodded. "The Heart Eater, once activated, takes control of its host's consciousness. Since Caleb is just a baby with barely any sense of self, he could only react instinctively to the pain and discomfort. To alleviate the effects, even temporarily, I had to induce unconsciousness."

Imogen nodded absently, relieved to see Caleb finally at peace. But Johanna's words replayed in her mind: the meeting at Mount Farstone, alone; the fatal consequences of another attack. She would ensure people followed discreetly, but she wouldn't go alone. Stephan wouldn't let her face such danger alone.

She steadied herself and turned to Stephan, about to speak, but paused when she saw him gripping Felicia's arm.

In a low voice, Stephan asked, "During the call, Johanna said you knew why she was looking for you. Why?"

Were Johanna and Felicia well-acquainted? How could they be? Two people with seemingly no connection were speaking in riddles, one vaguely, the other understanding perfectly. Something deeper was at play. There had to be some event that connected them. The most likely connection was the venomous creature. A startling possibility crossed his mind: when Felicia checked Caleb's pulse and identified the Heart Eater, her expression changed briefly, as if she understood the creature better than anyone else.