Return of the Crowned Heiress (Felicia)

To Felicia, Maurice was the definition of a loose cannon-a rabid dog you couldn't leash. So, there was no way she was removing the twin venomous creature.

Without that connection, Maurice would have no reason to hold back. He'd take her life the second it suited him. But with the venomous creatures binding their fates together? He'd be forced to protect her if only to save his own skin. Felicia knew she couldn't trust him completely. Still, she had to throw him a bone-like treating his legs. It was her way of showing she wasn't trying to burn every bridge.

Their eyes locked in a long, tense standoff. Finally, Maurice broke the silence, his tone dripping with something she couldn't quite place. "Fine. I agree. Just don't regret it later." Maurice didn't elaborate, and Felicia didn't press him. With that, they reached an uneasy truce.

Once she was certain Maurice wasn't about to double-cross her again, Felicia got to work. She pulled out her needles and removed the lingering toxins that had been crippling him. When Maurice stood up this time, it was different. There was no faltering and no collapsing back into his wheelchair. His legs were finally healed.

Maurice moved experimentally, taking a few steady steps. Then, he turned back to her with a satisfied smirk.

"When do you plan on heading back to Khogend?"

"Now," Felicia replied without hesitation.

The sooner, the better. Staying any longer only increased the risk of Maurice changing his mind-or, worse, pulling another stunt. Maurice nodded at one of his men, who immediately made a call. Within minutes, his private plane was prepped and ready to go. Maurice also assigned four of his most trusted men to accompany Felicia.

"These four will stick with you. Their job is to protect you. Don't do

anything stupid that'll get both net

of usnovelbin

killed" he said, his tone sharpwith mockery.

Felicia didn't take the bait. "No worries, Mr. Glovers. I value my life too much for that."

The truth was, this whole situation was a double-edged sword. Using the twin venomous creature to control Maurice had worked, but it also painted a massive target on her back.

If word got out, anyone looking to

take down Maurice would realize et

they only needed to kill her. It'd be

easier, cleaner, and just as effective.

She sighed internally, reminding herself that she'd have to tread carefully. "Keep this between us," she warned.

Maurice wasn't stupid. He knew the stakes. Still, he couldn't resist a parting jab.

"If you're so scared, why not just remove the venomous creature?"

Felicia shot him a flat look. "Because the second I do, you'll probably have me killed. Don't even try to deny it."

Her voice was calm, but her words were pointed.

Maurice chuckled, neither confirming nor denying it.

Without waiting for another word, Felicia turned and boarded the plane. The cabin doors closed, and the plane began its ascent.

As the plane sliced through the clouds, Felicia leaned back in her seat and let out a long, relieved breath.

She was finally out.