Chapter 468


    In the dimly lit basement of a house tucked away in the sleepy suburb of Rivenwood, Calista found


    herself inexplicably transported to this ce, shrouded in darkness.


    She huddled on the cold floor, with the constant, eerie sound of dripping water echoing throughout the


    room. Each drop seemed tond directly on her heart, causing her to shiver uncontrobly.


    The bruises from Mr. B''s beating had not fully healed, and she winced at the asional twinge of pain.


    After what felt like an eternity, punctuated only by drifting in and out of sleep, Calista finally heard


    footsteps approaching.


    Scrambling to kneel, she began to plead toward the sound, "Mr. B, I''ve done it - I''ve developed the


    Boar Poison, just like the sample you gave me. Please, I beg you, let me go!"


    Click.


    A blinding light suddenly filled the room, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut in pain and fear.


    "You''ve got the wrong person, sweetheart. Stand up."


    Calista''s heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice, not unlike the mechanical tone Mr. B had once


    used before dropping her facade.


    As her eyes adjusted, she could make out a figure dressed just like Mr. B - a trench coat and a fedora


    shadowing his face.


    "You''re not Mr. B?" She whispered, disbeliefcing her words.


    "I''m the boss, the one she answered to. Call me boss if you like, but I''m not fond of the title. I prefer you


    call me F-Poison."


    F-Poison dusted off her coat nonchntly. "Ah, got it. You thought I was Belle because of the outfit,


    right?"


    Despite her terror, Calista could detect a note of amusement in the grating mechanical voice.


    F-Poison''s smile was there, but the aura he exuded – one of unflinching ruthlessness – was never


    present in Mr. B.


    "Belle is Mr. B. I told her that name was too harsh, not fitting for a girl. ''Clementine'' would''ve been


    much cuter. Don''t you agree, Dr. Pendleton?"


    F-Poison squatted in front of Calista, seemingly earnest in her inquiry.


    "Yes, whatever you say is right..." Calista stuttered, seated on the ground, shivering.


    F-Poison nodded approvingly, "That''s my girl. It''s a shame, really. Raising her to be wiped out just like


    that."


    Calista''s mind raced. Mr. B – Belle – was dead?


    That would exin the sudden change of location.


    Swallowing hard, she ventured, "Mr. F, what would you have me do? I am at your service."


    Calista knew her life hung by a thread, useful only for her talents.


    Satisfaction was apparent on F-Poison''s face as he patted her head. "Good girl. I do have a task for


    you if you''re willing."


    "Willing, I''m willing, Mr. F. Whatever you ask of me!" Calista agreed instantly, her survival instinct


    trumping all else.


    "Then brace yourself."


    Before she could react, F-Poison struck her across the face. As Calista fell, her consciousness fading.


    She watched F-Poison reshape her features with her fists...


    While beating the living hell out of Calista, F-Poison said calmly, “I don’t have a choice. Vivienne


    recognizes people by their bones, and a simple disguise won’t work. I have to reshape your bones.”


    Feeling the beating and filled with misery, Calista cked out.


    ...


    At the Ellington family.


    The Ellington family was rarelyplete, and tonight was an exception. With Fiona in her wheelchair,


    brought by Heloise, and even the elusive Keh present, there was a sense of asion.


    Percival and Vivienne were thest to arrive, bearing gifts.


    "Richard," Vivienne greeted, sitting beside him as naturally as if she had always belonged there.


    Heloise watched with barely veiled jealousy. Even after years of marriage into the family, she had never


    dared to im such intimacy with Richard. Yet here was Vivienne, not even officially part of the family,


    and she acted with such familiarity.


    "Vivienne, you''ve arrived. Good, now the family''s all here. Once your uncle arrives, we can start


    dinner," Richard announced, clearly delighted at the prospect of seeing his youngest son after so long.


    Vivienne caught Keh avoiding her gaze, a trace of guilt in his eyes. She paid it no mind and


    continued to chat with Richard.


    Aurelia burst in with excitement. "He''s back, he''s back! Flynn has returned, and he''s brought a


    girlfriend!"


    Richard stood, Vivienne at his side to greet the neers.


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    A young man and woman stepped from the taxi, each with a suitcase.


    Vivienne''s eyes brightened. Flynn was even more handsome in person, his tan skin exuding vitality.


    Feeling a surge of jealousy from beside her, Vivienne pulled her gaze away.


    "Men and their egos," she thought, amused.


    "Dad!" Flynn set down his luggage and embraced Richard. "I''m back!"


    Richard pped his son on the back. "You rascal, finally decided to show up, huh?"


    "Dad, Imogen''s here. Let''s not get all mushy," Flynn said, introducing his girlfriend. "Dad, this is my


    girlfriend, Imogen. Sweetheart, this is my father."


    "Hi, Sir," Imogen greeted with a sweet smile, yet her gaze drifted involuntarily to Vivienne.


    Vivienne felt the look and responded with a subtle, gentle smile. Co?tent belo?gs to Draм?nоvеls.cоm


    Flynn yfully punched Percival''s arm. "You rascal, you''ve grown up so fast, and now you''re bringing


    home a fiancée!"


    Percival chuckled. "This is Vivienne."


    Vivienne paused, a bit surprised. Her future niece was a fan of hers?


    Vivienne could not help butugh at being called "Master." "Just call me Vivienne, okay?"


    "Alright, Vivienne, it is!" Imogen beamed with augh.


    Cecilia called to everyone, "Come on in, let''s not just stand around outside. Flynn, you''ve got to


    introduce us to Imogen properly."