Return of the Crowned Heiress (Felicia)

that stab

was far too vicious. It was just a hair’s breadth away from taking Imogen’s life.

No matter what the reason, i

it things had gone even slightly worse and Imogen hadn’t survived the surgery. Stephan shivered, not daring to let his mind go further down that thought.

He glanced down at his phone, the screen lighting up with a newly received message. After a quick glance, his tightly wound nerves relaxed slightly. He slid the phone back into his pocket.

Meanwhile, a cab slowly came to a halt outside the hospital, A slender figure handed over a couple of bills before stepping out of the car.

chin. Keeping a low

The young woman’s head was slightly bowed, the brim of her oversized hat casting a shadow over most of her face, revealing only a delicate ch profile, she walked straight into the hospital

Her eyes were gazing ahead, steady and purposeful as she moved like she knew the place well. When she passed by a doctor’s office, she casually grabbed a white lab coat and then removed her hat before slipping on a mask

It was Felicia.

The hospital was bustling with people. Along the way, a patient stopped her to ask for directions.

Felicia had a sharp memory. She would remember anything she paid attention to, even if it had just been for a moment. She recalled the hospital map she had glanced at when entering and pointed the way without hesitation.

“That way. Tum right, and there’s an elevator that’ll take you up.‘

“Thank you,” the patient said gratefully.

“No problem,” Felicia replied, slipping her hands into the pockets of her white coat as she continued walking

t close.

As she expected, there w were the Russell family’s guards stationed at the ICU entrance. Other than hospital statt, no one could get cl Felicia glanced at her reflection in the glass window of a nearby ward, Her altered appearance–disguised by a mask and a wig in a different hair color–gave her a modest, inconspicuous look No one would recognize her

Walling calmly to the door, Felicia’s presence didn’t raise any suspicion. The guards gave her a cursory glance before resuming their upright, vigilant stance. Felicia swiped her access card to open the door and was about to step inside when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. A moment later, the guards straightened, lowered their heads slightly, and called out, “Mr. Russell”

The footsteps grew closer.

Felicia didn’t look back. Hermovements were composed as she stepped through the door, swapped her shoes for sterile ones, and let the door close automatically behind her

As the door sealed shut with a soft click, Stephan’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure.

Felicia’s heart raced, pounding in her chest. For a moment, she could feel that gaze–sharp, heavy, and oppressive–pinning her in place, making her breath hitch. She almost thought Stephan had recognized her.

But luckily, she slipped by unnoticed.

Letting out a quiet breath of relief, Felicia followed the directions Stanley had sent her and easily found her way into one of the ICU wards. There, on a hospital bed, Lay Imagen

The monitors beside her displayed steady vitals, and the equipment hummed softly. The surgery had been successful. Fortunately, although Maurice’s knife had been deadly, it had missed a vital spot by two inches, giving Imogen a fighting chance. noveldrama

Seeing Imogen safe and stable with her own eyes, Felicia finally felt at ease.

She turned, intending to slip out as quietly as she had come. But as she pivoted, her nose bumped into something solid–a wall of muscle.

A familiar scent enveloped her instantly. Before she could react, an arm snaked around her waist, locking her in place.

Felicia’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up sharply, meeting Stephan’s deep, dark eyes that were unfathomable and still,