Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 242

The other young socialites who had been so eager to join the game now stood on the sidelines, licking their wounds and laughing nervously. They had lost far more than they anticipated while Felicia hadn't lost a single round. By the end, Arnold's face was ashen, his pride utterly trampled.

"Come on, Felicia, you don't have X-ray vision, do you?" one of the socialites teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Felicia smirked and shot back, "Nah, I just have really good hearing."

Her playful response had everyone around her bursting into laughter.

Felicia had no idea that her little gambling spree had caught the attention of someone watching from above.

Stephan stood at the edge of the upper level, his eyes fixed on the scene below. There was Felicia, seated in the center of the group, completely surrounded. Arnold sat directly across from her, looking absolutely miserable. Even from that distance, Stephan could hear the noise-the lively chatter and the bursts of laughter echoing through the room.

"She's drawing quite the crowd," he remarked, his tone neutral but carrying a weight of authority. After a pause, he added, "Bring her up."

His assistant bowed slightly and left without delay.

Felicia had just finished cashing in her chips, and her mood was light from her significant winnings. Just then, one of Stephan's men approached her.

"Ms. Fuller, Mr. Russell would like to see you."

Her brows lifted in surprise. She hadn't expected Stephan to be here. Though she had been staying at the Russell estate, their paths hadn't crossed in days. Curiosity piqued, she followed the man upstairs.

floor was eerily quiet as it had been cleared of all staff except for Stephan's trusted personnel stationed discreetly at various points. Felicia walked down the long corridor unimpeded until she spotted him at the far end.

cry. Focus on your recovery. The child will

so unlike his usual cold and distant display that she

froze mid-step, her

he

the actress she had seen at the

made sense,

weren't just acquaintances.

way to

ource

wel?

he was

status as she

the tearful scene when Abbie left the estate. Could they have reconciled? And now...

and she instinctively took a step back, retreating to a safe distance. Her mind buzzed with thoughts she didn't

turned after having ended his call. Before she could react,

on the edge

ground, moving quickly to

floor with a graceless bump while Stephan's outstretched hand grabbed nothing but

gaze. His dark eyes became colder and harder to read The air around him seemed heavier and sharper like he was barely holding