Chapter 7

The value of the medical texts was immeasurable, and every single page was priceless. Felicia found it when she was ten years old. While the cover was already faded and nearly illegible, she could still make out the obscure content and acupuncture diagrams. Back then, she had been so absorbed in the book that she had forgotten to cook dinner, which had resulted in Howell yanking her by the ear and beating her, while Tabitha had snatched the book and tossed it into the fire. After enduring the beatings, Felicia had been kicked out of the house by Shawn after she had prepared the dinner. It had been her punishment for making them starve. That night had been a frigid winter night, with temperatures dropping to negative two degrees. Felicia had curled up under the eaves and had almost frozen to death. Just as she had been drifting into unconsciousness, the medical book she had memorized seemed to come to life in her mind. Trying it out bit by bit, she had been astonished to discover she could perform acupuncture on herself. From that moment on, whenever she had time, she would enter that focused state, spending eight years fully mastering everything in that medical book. With her eyes closed, she reviewed the acupuncture techniques several times. Before she knew it, it was already past midnight when she finally went to bed. The next morning, she woke up at six, just as dawn began to break. After getting out of bed, she instinctively made her bed neatly. However, as she looked at the perfectly arranged blankets, she froze. In her previous life, when Kayla faked her own death by jumping into the sea, Felicia became the scapegoat, sent to prison by her fiancé, Arnold. With a casual "take care," she was tortured until she was unrecognizable. The memories of those four years in prison flooded back—humiliation, torment, and pain crying out to the heavens with no answer. Felicia suddenly threw the covers off. This wasn't the past. There was no past. She was no longer the lamb to the slaughter. In this life, all the rules would be set by her, and all the laws would be written by her. After gathering herself and calming her emotions, Felicia finally headed downstairs. At this hour, both Dexter and Myra were still asleep. Only the busy maids were downstairs preparing breakfast and cleaning up. When the maids saw Felicia, they exchanged glances, then slightly bowed, respectfully greeting her, "Good morning, Ms. Fuller." Felicia nodded in acknowledgment. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed one young maid sneering at her, rolling her eyes and muttering derisively, "Hmph, a wild goose thinks it's a swan. It should know its place!" The comment was soft, but the mansion was quiet enough for Felicia to hear. She stopped, chuckling faintly, saying, "I see that you're not happy about it, but what can you do about it?" The maid's face turned red, unable to retort. Indeed, no matter how much she disliked Felicia, she was still the legitimate heiress of the family. At that moment, Nora Hall, an older maid, rushed out of the kitchen upon hearing the commotion. She quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, Ms. Fuller. This is my niece, Holly. She's young and doesn't know better. I'll teach her properly. Please don't take offense!" Felicia wouldn't hold a grudge over something so trivial, especially since Holly White was Kayla's person. In her previous life, she had helped Kayla with numerous schemes. Keeping her around could still be useful. Once Felicia left, Holly stomped her foot, looking upset. "She's just an outsider from the countryside. Does she really think she's all that just because she landed here? Ugh!" "Shut up!" Nora coldly reprimanded her niece. "Remember your place. You're just a maid. If you dare speak out of line to Ms. Fuller again, I won't protect you again!" "I'm just standing up for Ms. Kayla! She's been doted on for so many years, why should she give up everything she has just for this country bumpkin?" Holly snorted. "I really don't know what Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are thinking!" Infuriated, Nora scolded her, saying, "Let me remind you one last time. You're just a maid. Don't think just because you've been here for a year and a half that you can act like you own the place. You don't have that right! "And if you don't want to work here, just leave. Don't drag me down with you!" With a stern expression, Nora returned to the kitchen, growing increasingly regretful for having brought her troublesome niece into the Fuller residence. Despite her lack of skills, Holly had an attitude and dared to meddle in the Fuller family's matters. After being scolded, Holly pouted, dismissing the warning. Instead, it only strengthened her resolve. Kayla had treated her so well, even giving her an expensive skincare set last time and calling her a friend. As a friend, she would help Kayla get rid of that outsider, Felicia. … Felicia hadn't gone far. The estate was massive, and after running a few laps around the golf course, she returned to the mansion after over an hour of exercise. By then, it was a bit late. Dexter was sitting on the sofa reading the latest newspaper while Myra was on the phone, likely with her son, Sebastian, asking when he would return to the country. On the other end, Sebastian replied that he was busy, then hung up, prompting Myra to glance discontentedly at Dexter. "He must have learned that from you, always too busy to care about things at home!" Dexter protested his innocence. Meanwhile, Kayla, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh, chimed in, "Dad, just admit it while you can, before Mom pulls your ear!" The warm and harmonious atmosphere radiated happiness. Felicia stood at the doorway, remembering how, in her previous life, this scene played out almost every day after she returned to the Fuller family. She had envied it so much that it made her want to cry, mustering the courage to approach and trying to fit in, but the laughter would stop in an instant. That feeling of isolation had always loomed like an invisible barrier, keeping her on the outside. Taking a deep breath, Felicia made a sound and stepped inside. The moment she entered, the atmosphere seemed to freeze, and laughter ceased. Dexter cleared his throat and folded up the newspaper. Myra hurried over to greet Felicia, asking warmly, "Licia, why are you up so early? Did you sleep well last night?" "Yeah," Felicia replied. "That's good. Have some breakfast!" Myra said while instructing the maids to bring out the food. They had prepared a sumptuous breakfast. There were hearty soups and oatmeal, along with a few tasty sides and baked goods. Just then, Dexter received an urgent call and rushed off to the company, leaving only the three women at the table. As Myra served Felicia some food, she said, "Licia, after breakfast, I'll take you shopping for clothes and jewelry. We'll buy whatever you like." The Sunday party was the day after tomorrow. On such a huge occasion, prominent figures of Khogend would be present as guests. Kayla's eyes sparkled as she quickly raised her hand. "Mom, I want to go too!" "Of course, when do we ever go shopping without you?" Myra playfully rolled her eyes at Kayla, full of affection. Felicia replied flatly, "I have something to do, so I can't go." "What do you have to do? School hasn't even started yet." Before Myra could say more, Felicia stood up and stated, "I'm full. You enjoy your meal." Then, she turned and walked outside. Myra felt a bit anxious and called the driver, Eugene Nunez, to hurry after her. Just then, Holly rushed in from outside. She first glanced at Felicia with a smug look before loudly announcing, "Mr. Arnold Lawson of the Lawson family is here, Mrs. Fuller!"