Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 425

At the very last second, no one could have predicted that someone would suddenly appear behind Frank.

She had been hidden in the shadows, her slender figure concealed by the debris along the hallway. Using the clutter as cover, she had crept closer without being noticed.

It was Felicia.

Just as Frank loosened his grip to throw Sandra off the edge, two silver needles shot through the air, striking him with pinpoint accuracy.

His movements froze, his body stiffening on the spot.

Realizing someone was behind him, he let out an enraged howl, straining with every ounce of strength to break free from the paralysis caused by the needles. But before he could move, Felicia smashed a brick into his head with all her might.

The impact left him dazed, and Felicia took the opportunity to lunge forward, grabbing Sandra's clothes.

Sandra had already been dangling precariously over the edge of the railing. To pull her back, Felicia had to lean so far out that half her body hung in mid-air beyond the railing.

What happened next was completely unexpected.

Though paralyzed by the needles, Frank let out a feral roar. In a final, desperate act, he leaned back over the railing, pulling himself and Felicia toward the edge in an attempt to drag her down with him.

It all happened in a heartbeat.

As Frank's body tipped over, Felicia had just enough time to fling Sandra upward with all her strength.

Mike, sprinting toward them, caught Sandra in mid-air in his arms.

But Felicia wasn't so lucky. The momentum of Frank's fall pulled her over the edge.

She plummeted from the second floor.

She thought that was the end of her life. Her mind blanked except for the horrifying realization of the grinding machine below her. If she hit it, she would be gone in an instant, ground to nothing.

Felicia climbed to her feet, wincing as she rubbed her sore lower back.

Mike came rushing down the stairs, relief flooding his face when he saw both of them safe. "That was too close—way too close!" he exclaimed, still catching his breath.

Felicia hadn't seen what had happened during her fall, so she didn't realize the extent of what Stephan had done to save her.

From Mike's perspective, it had been terrifying. At the speed she had fallen and the distance between them, Stephan had launched himself recklessly, risking everything to grab her.

Mike's heart was still racing at the memory. The scene had been etched into his mind—Stephan leaping into the air without hesitation and narrowly catching Felicia. Both of them had just been inches from being pulled into the deadly machine.

Words could not adequately describe the danger and sheer adrenaline—it was breathtaking and horrifying all at once.

Had Stephan miscalculated even slightly, he would have been the first one swallowed by the machine.