Maurice was knocked unconscious and bound, a torn piece of fabric stuffed in his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue. His condition was utterly pathetic, yet no one present could bring themselves to laugh.
One of Maurice's men asked cautiously, "Ms. Fuller, is Mr. Glovers... better now?"
"Of course not. Nothing's ever that simple," Felicia replied, rubbing her temples as a headache began to form. She had checked his pulse earlier and determined that Maurice had used a modified version of the rain-venomous creatures on himself and her. This variation was brutally effective; once the link was established, it was unbreakable. Essentially, Maurice had taken her place, bearing the torment and eventual fatality from the Heart Eater within her. There was no cure. If this played out to its grim conclusion, Maurice's life would be the price. How would she ever repay him?
Maurice's men knew the risks. When Maurice insisted on using the modified twin venomous creatures, they had already heard the worst-case scenario from the family's medical expert—it could be a one-way ticket to hell. Still, hope was a stubborn thing. As long as Maurice was alive and breathing, they clung to the possibility of a better outcome. Now, that fragile hope was shattered. "So... you're saying there's no way to save him?"
Maurice's men exchanged pale, stricken glances. One particularly loyal bodyguard looked as though he might cry. Their boss was still alive, yet it felt like a death sentence had already been pronounced. Seeing Maurice in pain, his brow furrowed even in unconsciousness, filled them with a suffocating sense of helplessness.
Felicia didn't answer directly, but her silence was reply enough. She was already formulating her next steps.
Scarlet broke the silence, "Boss, we should get out of here." With Stephan and his men gone, and Imogen rushed to the hospital, the Russell family's forces had retreated completely. Even the helicopter was gone. Still, Scarlet hadn't forgotten the other dangers lurking on the mountain. Another encounter could prove disastrous.
Yet Felicia shook her head. "No. We'll wait a bit longer."
"Wait for what?" Scarlet wondered, unsure of Felicia's plan. She had a suspicion, but didn't dare voice it.
Her question was answered roughly fifteen minutes later when the sound of approaching vehicles cut through the tense air. The three Glovers family men immediately stood, hands instinctively reaching for their weapons, assuming a defensive posture.
Several SUVs appeared, coming to a halt about thirty feet away, kicking up dust and gravel. Two figures emerged: the robed man, his expression twisted with fury, and Pete, who maintained his gentlemanly façade.
Pete's smile deepened as he looked at Felicia, his tone laced with surprise and mockery. "Well, well, well. Were you waiting for me, Felicia?" Though others were present, he addressed only Felicia, his words dripping with an intimate familiarity that, to an outsider, might suggest a hidden connection.
Felicia's face twisted in disgust before resuming its usual calm. Ignoring his insinuations, she cut straight to the point. "You've gone to a great deal of trouble to set this up. What's your proposal? I'm here, so spit it out. I haven't the patience for your games."
Pete's smile faltered momentarily before he sighed softly, his gaze turning thoughtful. "You're as sharp as ever. I should have expected nothing less."
"More empty words," Felicia thought, sneering before turning to leave. Scarlet followed cautiously, keeping her eyes on Pete and the robed man. The Glovers family men, carrying Maurice's unconscious body, began their retreat.
The robed man visibly fumed at their reaction, glaring at Pete as if to ask, "Can you handle this or not?" Pete raised a hand in mock surrender, forcing a strained smile before calling out, "Wait, Felicia! Let's negotiate a deal."