Return of the Crowned Heiress novel Chapter 521

"No, I didn't. I saw a flicker of light here from the mountain. When I looked through my binoculars, I realized it was you," Stephan explained.

So, that was what happened.

Felicia nodded. That flickering light must have been from the flashlight she had dropped during her escape. She hadn't expected Stephan to notice it.

By that logic, getting lost and encountering that massive python that almost got her killed had actually led her to Stephan by sheer chance!

However, he didn't seem to be seriously injured. Felicia circled him, scrutinizing him closely. She then said, "Your men who returned from the rainforest said you were gravely injured and missing. I bet the entire Russell family is in chaos right now.

"Oh, and your sister too. If she finds out, she'll probably be quite shaken…" she added.

As she trailed off, she noticed a subtle change in Stephan's expression. For a brief moment, his eyes flickered with surprise. He didn't seem to know about that at all.

Felicia suddenly realized something and asked in astonishment, "Wait… don't tell me… you didn't send anyone to report this?"

"I didn't," Stephan replied.

At first, he hadn't thought much about Felicia's words, but now, it was clear that someone had taken advantage of his inability to communicate with the outside world due to the interference in the rainforest. They had spread news that he was gravely injured and missing.

Stephan let out a cold laugh, his gaze icy. "Looks like it's time to clean house."

Felicia frowned, realizing another possibility. "If they've spread false news like this, they must have other plans in play. Maybe they're hoping to turn that false news into reality…"

She sighed. "Wow, you really have no shortage of enemies, huh?"

"Are you regretting it now?"

Stephan leaned closer, intending to pinch her cheek. But his bandaged hands made that impossible, so he gently pressed his forehead against hers instead. He chuckled softly and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to marry me? It's too late to back out now!"

Felicia clicked her tongue and replied sarcastically, "Ugh, what a loss. How I wish I could return the goods."

"That's not happening. Not a snowball's chance in hell." Stephan shot her an amused glance, his lips curving into a teasing smirk. "Welcome aboard this one-way trip. Don't even think about jumping off halfway!"

He wasn't concerned about much else, but he was worried that Imogen might be distressed or frightened by the false news of his injury and disappearance.

The men nodded in acknowledgment, lowering their heads slightly before turning to make their way out of the rainforest.

Felicia saw that and knew that Stephan had no intention of leaving.

Raising an eyebrow, she asked curiously, "You're still planning to find the place marked on that map? That supposed kingdom with its legendary treasure?"

Stephan didn't deny it. Instead, he said, "I have a reason I must go."

Felicia recalled how he had once told her about the legend tied to the map. At the time, she hadn't taken it seriously, finding the whole idea too far-fetched.

She had treated it as nothing more than a story, even jokingly saying she would use it as a bedtime story for her future daughter.

But now, it was clear that Stephan had always been serious about it.