Stephan was about to head to the hospital when news <b>arched </b>that Ingen’s cimdition had stabilized. She had just woken up, and the first thing she asked for was to see Caleb
So. Stephan personally carried Caleb, who was sound asleep, and prepared to take him to the hospital
Just as Stephan was about to get into the car, Stanley approached him
“Mr. Russell,” Stanleycalled oot
He repeated the robed man’s words verbatim. The moment Felicia’s name was mentioned, the temperature around Stephan seemed to drop several degrees. His gaze turned dark and Deritying
The tension in the <b>air </b>was palpable. Even Caleb, sensing the unease, whimpered softly, shifting ufortably in Stephan’s arms. His tiny mouth puckered, as if on the verge of crying Stephan’s expression remained unchanged, but his <b>hands </b>moved more gently. <b>His </b>defined fingers lightly patted Caleb’s back, soothing the little one back into a peaceful sleep. Since the bronze bell had been destroyed, the venomous <b>creature </b>on Caleb’s body had shown no further signs of activity. Stephan had Caleb thoroughly examined and even had the medical <b>master </b>check his pulse.
The concesion was that Caleb’s condition waspletely healthy and <b>stable</b>. The venomous creature, once a threat due to the robed <b>man’s </b>coracion, had disappeared without a trace. T medical master <b>exined </b>that with the death of the primordial, the subordinate seedling had lost its effectiveness and could no longer be controlled.
The
That news brought them all great relief.
But now, the robed man’s mention of Falicia naised new concerns. What did this mean? Unless, the venous creature in Caleb had been a distraction all along. From the start, the robed man’s and Pete’s <b>seal </b>target had been Felicia!
Stephan handed Caleb to a nearby housekeeper Minutester, he descended into the underground chamber to face the robed man, who had been tortured to the brink of death
The robed man’s eyes were unfocused, his body barely clinging to life. But when he saw Stephan, a flicker of hope it up in his gaze. Summoning thest of his strength, he said, “Mr. Russell, Pete nted a venomous create in Fold–the Heart Eater!
The Heart Eater, once activated, has no cure, terases <b>all </b>free will, turning the host into a puppet that obeys the controller’s everymand! <b>Pete’s </b>original <b>n </b>was to use Felicia as a to locate the unmarked stand on that map. Only she could find it!”
Having endured immense suffering, the robed man didn’t wait for further questioning <b>and </b>spilled every detail without being prompted
Stanley, standing nearby, was stunned. The rtion was overwhelming. He didn’t know whether to <b>ask </b>how Felicia was connected to the venomous creature <b>or </b>why Pete had chosen her <b>as </b>the key to finding that ind.
What connection did Felicia have to the map that everyone was chasing?
Stephan stared at the robed man for a moment. His deep<b>, </b><b>dark </b>eyes were cold and prating, exuding <b>a </b>chilling pressure.
Under Stephan’s gaze, the robed man felt his scalp prickle with fear. He almost burst into tears, pleading. “Mr. Russell, I swear, every word I said is true! Absolutely true!”
“Continue,” Stephan ordered, histone icy andmanding, “What else do you know?
I also know that Pete originally nned to kidnap Felicia and take her out to sea, but he falled. Now, he’s using the care for the Heart Eater as leverage to get Felicia to join him on the voyage. They’ve set the time for the day after tomorrow!”
“The Heart Eater you mentioned–it can control a person’s mind and actions when activated?” Stephan closed his eyes besefly, his mind already forming <b>a </b>conclusion.
The robed man, oblivious to <b>Stephan’s </b>internal calctions, <b>nodded </b>frantically. “Yes! Especially since the Heart Eater in Felicia is of the highest level–aling of venomous creatures! Once triggered, ir immediately seize control of the <b>hour’s </b>consciousness!”
“hut“The robed man heated, unsure whether to <b>speak </b>further. After a moment of internal conflict, he cautiously <b>added</b>, “When we were on the mountain, Pete ordered me to activate the venomous creature, but in failed to control Felicia. It seems <b>that </b>someone else took on the effects <b>and </b>damage of the Heart Eater on her behalf..”