Chapter 133
She blinked rapidly, and her lips curled into a weak, wavering smile. “Oh, yes,” she stammered, stepping further into the room, “I just… wanted to make sure you two were okay. You don’t usually cook for yourselves.”
Her eyes lingered on the counter, just for a moment, but long enough for me to notice. She was searching, looking for any sign that we’d found her stash.
Alex leaned back in his chair, his movements deliberate and casual. “Just trying something new,” he said, flashing her a disarming smile. “Raina insisted I make her favorite. Couldn’t say no to that.”
Adelaide’s smile tightened, and she nodded, she let out a visible sigh, clearly trying to keep her composure. “That’s… nice. Well, I’ll leave you to it then. “Thanks for checking in,” I replied, my tone saccharine. I picked up my chopsticks again and twirled them through the noodles, making a show of eating. Adelaide hesitated for a moment longer, her gaze flitting between us. Then, she turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.
I exhaled slowly, the tension in my shoulders refusing to dissipate. Alex leaned forward, his voice low and urgent. “She’s onto us.”
“No kidding,” I muttered, taking a bite of the ramen despite the knot in my stomach. “She’s definitely scared we found something.”
Alex leaned closer, his voice low and firm. “We can’t wait any longer. It’s time to go.”
I nodded, my stomach churning with a mixture of fear and anger. Still, I forced myself to eat a few more bites of the ramen he’d made, trying to appear casual. It was an act, but I needed to sell it. The last thing we could afford was Adelaide becoming suspicious.
When I finally set down the chopsticks, Alex motioned for me to follow him. “Let’s move,” he whispered, his tone sharp but steady.
I sent a quick text to Dominic as we slipped out of the kitchen: Watch Grandma. Alex and I are heading to the hospital.
The drive was quiet, tension thick in the air. Alex’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the steering wheel, his focus locked on the road. My thoughts raced, each one more distressing than the last. What if we were too late to confirm our suspicions? What if Adelaide realized we’d found something?
We arrived at the hospital, and the doctor greeted us in the quiet, sterile hallway. His expression was a blend of curiosity and concern as he gestured us into his office.
“What do you have for me?” he asked, glancing between Alex and me.
I pulled the small sample of herb from my pocket, carefully wrapped in a piece of tissue. “This,” I said, placing it on his desk.
The doctor nodded, his expression grave. “Let me run some tests. Wait here.”
The minutes dragged as we sat in the small office. Alex leaned against the wall, arms crossed tightly over his chest. I sat in silence, staring at the desk, my heart pounding with dread.
When the doctor finally returned, the tension in the room became unbearable. He held a clipboard, his expression grim.
“The herb is Oleander,” he announced. “It’s highly toxic. Depending on the dosage, it can cause severe health issues over time. In your grandfather’s case, I believe it led to heart failure.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. My hands gripped the arms of the chair as I forced out the question burning in my mind. “Was he the only one affected?”
The doctor’s gaze softened, but his words struck like a hammer. “If this was used in drinks for the entire family, then everyone who consumed it could be at risk. The effects depend on the amount ingested and the individual’s health, but prolonged exposure can be fatal.”
Alex let out a string of curses, his fists clenching at his sides as he exchanged a look with the doctor. “What do we do now?” He asked, his voice low but
firm.
“Everyone needs to be checked immediately,” the doctor replied. “Blood tests, cardiac evaluations, everything. This isn’t something to take lightly.”
A cold wave of fear washed over me. My thoughts spiraled to Liam and Ava, my kids who depended on me. And the Graham Corporation, the responsibility that now rested on my shoulders. If I died, who would take care of my kids? And Graham Cooperation?
I clenched my fists, forcing the panic aside. “We’ll get checked,” I said firmly. “But first, we need to stop this. We need to expose Nathan and Adelaide before anyone else gets hurt. Before I die.”
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