Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 682

Scarlet's expression was conflicted as she posed a hypothetical question. "Boss, have you thought about this? If it had been you under control just now and you were the one who stabbed Imogen or caused her death in some other way… then you'd be the killer."

If Felicia had been the one to deliver the fatal blow—whether directly or indirectly—the result would have been the same. She would bear the guilt, and her relationship with Stephan would have been irreparably damaged.

Felicia remained silent, but she understood this all too well. This was exactly why she had protected Maurice. She had no personal connection to him, nor did she care whether he lived or died. But this time, Maurice ended up in this state because of her, and she couldn't simply turn her back on that.

The burden of owing someone a favor was always heavy.

What made it worse was that Maurice's condition was worsening. The carefree smirk he usually wore was gone, replaced by a look of excruciating pain.

He clutched his chest with one hand, the other forming a tight fist. His grip was so strong that his nails dug into his palm, drawing blood that seeped through his fingers and dripped onto the ground. It was a disturbing sight.

"What's happening to him?" Scarlet asked, alarmed.

Felicia placed her fingers on Maurice's wrist, her expression shifting with concern. "This is bad. The Heart Eater is acting up."

The Heart Eater only triggered this kind of backlash under one specific condition—when the venomous creature itself felt threatened or was close to death. In such cases, the other connected venomous creature would lash out viciously against its host.

In other words, if Maurice hadn't used the twin venomous creature to bear this burden for her, the person lying on the ground in excruciating pain would have been Felicia.

At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the clearing.

Scarlet instinctively tensed and raised her guard, her eyes fixed warily on the approaching figures.