Felicia’s assurance finally gave Maurice’s loyal bodyguards peace of mind. Reluctantly, they backed off, silently standing guard nearby. Meanwhile, Maurice plunged into an even more excruciating state. Writhing on the ground, he clutched his head in agony. Suddenly, without hesitation, he lunged toward the rocky ground, clearly intent on smashing his head against the jagged stones. If Felicia hadn’t reacted quickly enough to grab him, the impact would have undoubtedly drawn blood.
But even now, things were far from fine. In his uncontrollable state, Maurice bit down hard on his own tongue. Blood seeped from the corners of his lips, staining his usually composed face with a ghastly hue. Before he could inflict further harm, Felicia launched a preemptive strike. With precision, she aimed a sharp chop at the back of his neck to knock him out.
But before she could land the blow, Maurice reacted like a cornered animal. His innate survival instinct triggered lightning-fast movement as he grabbed Felicia’s wrist in a vice-like grip. His bloodshot eyes locked onto hers, devoid of warmth. Those eyes—feral and predatory—sent a chill down Scarlet’s spine.
Alarmed, she instinctively stepped forward to intervene, fearing for Felicia’s safety. But before she could act, Maurice’s eyes sharpened, and his grip on Felicia’s wrist tightened further. The fair, delicate skin of Felicia’s wrist quickly bruised, turning a glaring shade of red and purple under the immense pressure.
“Boss!” Scarlet called out, her voice tinged with concern and hesitation. Felicia, however, remained calm, signaling Scarlet to stay back with a glance. Taking a deep breath, Felicia used her free hand to grab a fistful of Maurice’s hair, forcing him to meet her gaze. Their eyes locked, and in his pupils, she saw her own reflection—one calm and composed, the other wild and untamed.
Slowly, Felicia said in a soft, steady tone, “Maurice, do you remember who you are? Do you recognize me? I know you’re in pain, and I know it’s unbearable. But I’m trying to help you. Stay calm. You’ll be fine. I promise.” Her words were clear and gentle, carrying a magnetic quality that seemed to cut through the haze of his frenzy.
For a fleeting moment, Maurice’s mind cleared. In that brief moment, he released Felicia’s wrist, his grip loosening completely. His bloodshot eyes softened, but only slightly. The next instant, his mind clouded with red once more—this time not from rage but from sheer terror.
The realization hit him like a sledgehammer. Even in his fogged state, he understood what had just happened. He had nearly directed his uncontrollable wrath at Felicia. The thought sent shivers down his spine. The thought of being fully consumed by the venomous creature’s control and awakening to find Felicia’s lifeless body among the carnage could not happen!
Maurice stumbled back, his body trembling. Seemingly oblivious to the hellish torment he felt within his body, he rasped, “Stay away from me, Felicia. Just stay away…”
Felicia glanced down at her bruised wrist, her expression a mix of exasperation and resignation. As Maurice once again teetered on the brink of losing himself, she wasted no time. With one swift, decisive motion, she struck the back of his neck. As she began tying him up securely, Felicia muttered under her breath, “Stay put for once, will you? You’ve got way too much to say for someone in your sorry state.”