Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Dr. Mch adjusted his tie, ensuring its perfection before he smiled at his reflection and exited his car. Stepping out into the
parking lot across. Tranquil Haven Rehabilitation Center, he took a moment to appreciate. the serene surroundings.
The dim glow of streetmps cast long shadows on the asphalt, and the crisp Illinois air hinted at the approaching dawn. The sky
transitioned from the deep hues of night to a soft palette of purples and blues.
The reason Dr. Mch chose this ce was his love for the cold. Growing up in a location without snow, living in Illinois had
always been a dream.
He tapped his jacket, ensuring the cash was still there before proceeding towards the rehabilitation center.
However, just before reaching the center’s door, he heard another car nearby. Turning, his eyes widened at the sight of a police
vehicle.
“Dr. Mch?” a man in a ck uniform called out.
“Yes, good morning, officers. How may | help you?” The officer paused, scrutinizing Dr. Mch.
“Pleasee with us.
“What?” Dr. Mch’s face immediately turned ugly.
It was almost noon when Sofia woke up. After a quick stretch, she took a bath. Currently staying in the guest room of Alexander’s
house, she didn’t want to go to the office right away after the incident that left her shaken. However, she knew she had to face
recent events.
After donning decent office clothing, she grabbed her things and made her
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way to the kitchen for something to eat.
UN 14:28
“Eh?” she froze upon seeing Alexander in the living room, talking on his phone.
Why was this man here? She thought he would be at his office, considering it was a workday. As the chairman of the Beaumont
Empire, he must be busy.
Luckily, he didn’t notice her as he was facing the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a view of the city. She quickly turned
around, not intending to disturb him.
“Ah, d that you’re awake,” she heard him say.
She turned towards Alexander; it seemed his call had already ended.
“Are you going to the kitchen?” he asked.
“Y—-Yes.”
“Just reheat the breakfast that | made. | did not wake you up. | know you. were not able to have a good night''s sleepst night.”
She stood there, unable to understand what he was trying to say. He made breakfast for her and even stayed at home. Was it all
right for her to assume he did this all for her?
“Ah, before | forget... Dr. Mch was arrestedst night.”
Almost immediately, her expression changed. “What did you say?”
“Dr. Mch is a wanted criminal in more than five countries. It is only right that the police would take him in.”
“Then what about my mother?” She quickly checked her phone, finding missed calls from Lawrence, Charlotte, and Daniel. She
had forwarded all business calls to Miss Amores and turned her phone silent.
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OFYN 14:28
When she woke up, she assumed the calls were rted to what happenedst night. She thought they wanted to convince her
to stay in the mansion, so she didn’t bother opening their text messages.
“Do not worry... | already sent a team of doctors under your name.” Seeing her reaction, he quickly said, “I apologize for
overstepping...”
“No. 1-”
“| received some disturbing newsst night. | chose not to tell you those things because of how shaken you were... however,
instead of waiting. | had to make a move.”
She frowned, not understanding what he was trying to say. What move? They agreed that this marriage was self-serving. Both
of them had their goals. Why was he doing something like this?
ea
“My mother died after | was born...” Alexander said. He walked towards the long couch and picked up a tablet, then handed it to
her. “It took me long time to realize that she did not die of natural death. She had been poisoned... slowly.”
Sofia read the contents of the file that he opened. “This poison...”
“Only avable in Asia. To be more specific, its source was only avable. in Vietnam. Smuggling can be very difficult if one does
not have a connection. For years, | have been searching for any clues of the one who poisoned my mother. To no avail.”
She continued reading the contents. “The poison was detected?” she asked.
“Three months ago... it was detected in Vancouver. Then in ska. As far as | know, it was already in the US.”
“And you think that
“We found traces of it in the undaround market in Illinnic And right
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N 06% 14:29
now, there is only one Asian doctor in this part of the state that has at connection to the underground market.”
“Dr. Mch,” she uttered. “This poison....” After reading the first. symptoms, a part of her felt her limbs go numb. She swallowed.
“These symptoms...” It was simr to her mother’s symptoms!
She found herself on the couch with him sitting beside her as she read the contents of the file for the second time.
Violet Slumber Blossom. This flora can only live within dense jungles. It has earned its notorious reputation for its potent yet
deceivingly slow- acting toxicity. Locals, well aware of its danger, refer to it simply as “Lingering Lotus.”
Transporting this perilous nt is strictly prohibited, as its lethal potential unfolds in stages. A moderate dose induces a gradual
descent into aa- like slumber, leaving the unsuspecting victim ensnared in a web of silent danger.
Meanwhile, a higher dosage could easily kill someone. It does not have a particr smell or taste, and one can easily grind the
petals of the nt. and dissolve it in water.
“Do you think that he used this-” She swallowed her nonexistent saliva. “It said that it cannot be cured?” she asked.
“At the time they published this article, there was no antidote- yet,” he said.
“Then... what about now?”
“We found something that could neutralize it, but | cannot guarantee you that it would wake up someone who was already in a
state of aa. Perhaps it could help someone who just ingested the poison.”
Sofia clutched the tablet. She stared at the violet flower on the tablet and
MBelonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.
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clenched her teeth. What a cruel nt!
OOFZN 14:29
Sofia had always been hesitant about how to approach Dr. Mch, fearing he might do something crazy. Moreover, she did not
want Lawrence to detect anything.
“| need to know if she was given the same poison...” She got up and looked at him. “Will you help me?”
“There is something else....” he too got up and took the tablet. “To induce aa, it has to be given in very small doses over ten
years.”
Sofia’s mouth dropped. She covered her mouth with her trembling hands. Ten years?
What if...
She quickly made a decision. “I need you to check my blood too...” Sofia said as she closed her eyes. How could they be so
cruel?