Return of the Crowned Heiress (Felicia)

By the hot spring, Maurice’s trusted aide rubbed his nose with a mischievous grin after throwing Abbie out. “Mr. Glovers, are you really just going to let her go without getting even?”

Showing kindness to enemies was never part of Maurice’s playbook.

A sly smile played on Maurice’s lips, the kind that hinted at schemes brewing beneath the surface. He instinctively tried to brush off the dust on his coat, only to be reminded by the sharp ache in his shoulders that he couldn’t use both his arms now.

His smile froze, and his expression darkened.

Caesar had made it clear that torn muscles and broken bones would take at least three months to heal fully. That was yet another debt Maurice mentally added to Felicia’s tab.

“Does my grandmother know about this?” Maurice asked, his tone unusually calm.

“Yes,” one of his men replied.

“Alright, send people to keep an eye on Felicia. She can do whatever she wants, but until the damn venomous creature is removed, ensure Felicia’s safety. No exceptions.”

“Yes, Mr. Glovers!”

Maurice’s smile deepened, carrying a hint of something ominous. His gaze drifted lazily toward the distant Grandeur Hall, where his grandmother resided. With a voice as smooth as silk and just as cutting, he murmured, almost to himself, “What a shame… I almost feel sorry for her.”

His words hung in the air as though addressed to no one in particular.

“Ms. Fuller,” he said softly, his eyes narrowing.

Inside Grandeur Hall, the air was thick with the scent of essential oils.

Kelsey had regained consciousness. After a brief check–up, Caesar reassured her that aside from some mild stress, there was nothing to worry about.

But as Caesar packed his tools, she suddenly grabbed his hand. Her frail but firm grip stopped him in his tracks.

“Caesar,” she said, her voice low and serious. “You’re an esteemed physician. Are you telling me there’s no way to deal with the twin venomous creature?”

Caesar hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

He was renowned for his medical expertise, but this situation had humbled him. A young

woman barely out of her teens had managed feats he could only dream of–curing Maurice’s legs and deploying a modified version of the twin venomous creature.

Caesar began, his tone cautious, “Mrs. Glovers Senior, even if we summon the best doctors in the country, the answer will likely remain the same. This particular venomous creature has been modified. Its toxicity is extremely aggressive. Attempting to forcibly remove it would undoubtedly lead to Mr. Glovers‘ death.”

Kelsey’s face fell, her already–lined features creasing further with worry. She waved him off, signaling the end of the conversation.

Caesar nodded and turned to leave, but halfway out the door, something made him pause. novelbin

Looking back, he saw an unsettling sight. Kelsey’s lips had curled into a faint smile. It was brief but striking–so at odds with her usual kind demeanor that it sent a chill down his spine.

Had he seen it wrongly?

Caesar froze, staring again at Kelsey. Her face was back to its usual sorrowful expression, but just a moment ago, he could have sworn he saw a sharp, calculating smile flash across her features. It was as though it had been a mirage. It was gone as quickly as it appeared.

“Caesar, is there anything else?”

Startled, he quickly composed himself. “No, Mrs Glovers Senior. I just wanted to reassure you -the twin venomous creature won’t harm Mr. Glovers as long as the other host, Ms. Fuller, remains unharmed. As long as she’s safe, there’s no risk of the harm rebounding on Mr. Glovers.”

Kelsey nodded, then abruptly asked, “And if that woman dies? Maurice will die too, won’t he?”

“Yes, but don’t worry, Mrs. Glovers Senior. I’ll return to my texts immediately and search for a way to remove the venomous creature safely from Mr. Glovers.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Caesar.”

“I’ll do my best,” Caesar replied with a slight nod before leaving Grandeur Hall.

Once Caesar was gone, a maid stepped forward to assist Kelsey. “Mrs. Glovers Senior, you’re still recovering. Shall I help you back to rest?”

“No need, I’ve never felt so alive!” Kelsey said, her face breaking into a wide, satisfied grin. Her deeply wrinkled eyes crinkled further, and a glint of malice flickered in their cloudy depths. Her voice, hoarse and low, was laced with unrestrained glee.

Kelsey’s laugh echoed in the room. Her tone darkened as she uttered words laced with venom, “I’ve waited years for this day. I can finally avenge my son.”

Her chilling words lingered in the air while the faint scent of essential oils swirled, adding an eerie stillness to the hall. Kelsey’s frail face, illuminated by flickering candlelight, now carried an unmistakable hint of ruthless resolve.