Chapter 45


    Chapter 45


    Bainbridge rubbed his cheek, his voice tinged with indignation. “He did it on purpose! He made me lose


    face in front of everyone.”


    Jarvis ground his teeth in frustration, “Idiot! All those experts were clueless, how could he have known?


    Do you think he’s still the golden boy?”


    Jarvis scoffed. “Howard’s influence at Chadwick Group has been eradicated by me. The path is clear


    for you. He’s nothing but a washed–up has–been.”


    “Dad, what about today’s mess?”


    “Tomorrow, donate fifty million to a charity. I’ll get the press to y it up. You need to be generous,


    acting like money’s no object. Don’te off as petty.”


    “Got it.” Bainbridge felt a wave of relief.


    “As for that Vivien… she’s just for fun, she’s not in your league. And her gold–digging stepmother is a


    delusional woman.”


    “I know, I was never serious,” Bainbridge curled his los into a sly smile. “She’s still somewhat useful to


    me.”


    Jarvis subsided his anger and spoke dispassionately. “Make sure Waldo spikes the medication. Don’t


    let Howard linger too long.”


    “I was nning on it even if you hadn’t said anything.”


    That loser was always a potential threat.


    Bainbridge, having been overshadowed for years, felt an instinctual wariness.


    The next day. Waldo arrived for his routine acupuncture home visit.


    Marina, ever the attentive hostess, took Waldo’s medicine chest with a smile. “Dr. Waldo, you’re always


    so dedicated to your patients.”


    *Just doing my job.”


    “You’re such a good man.” Marina hesitated before asking. “About Mr. Howard’s condition. Can it be


    cured? You know, he’s a newlywed and he’s resorted to taking those pills.”


    N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    She muttered, looking quite vexed.


    Waldo internally chuckled. The more medication, the faster the downfall But he replied soothingly.


    “Once his legs are healed, the rest should follow suit.”


    Marina sighed in relief, “That’s such a relief to hear.” She cast a side nce at Waldo, puzzled why


    Howard had confided in Dr. Waldo about the little blue pills.


    She led Waldo to the master bedroom, where Gwendolyn and Howard were ready for him.


    Chapter 45


    After the acupuncture session, Waldo announced, “Mr. Chadwick is showing great improvement. We


    need to adjust his prescription.”


    He drew a packet of herbal bath powder from his chest, “This is a new blend I’ve concocted, more


    effective.” Last night, after Mr. Bainbridge’s call, he had added quite a few ‘extras‘ to it.


    One week in this, Howard wouldn’tst.


    Gwendolyn stepped forward to take the powder, but Waldo pulled back, saying, “Mrs. Chadwick, could


    you draw the bath? I’m gonna stick around today to watch the effects.”


    He wasn’t leaving!


    Gwendolyn, troubled, looked at Howard, who gave a nearly imperceptible nod.


    Together with Marina, Gwendolyn filled the tub with warm water and watched as Waldo poured the


    powder into it, releasing a potent scent, which made her anxious.


    “Help me in,” Howard tugged at her sleeve, “What are you daydreaming about?”


    Reluctantly, Gwendolyn assisted him into the tub. Waldo settled in the room, browsing a


    medical text, asionally ncing over at Howard.


    Gwendolyn leaned in close to whisper to Howard, “Mr. Chadwick, there’s poison in today’s bath


    powder!”


    “Can you counteract it?” he whispered back, his breath caressing her cheek.


    “Yes,” replied Gwendolyn.


    “If you say you can, then I trust you.”


    “But if you soak too long, it could do serious damage, undoing all our progress.”


    Gwendolyn reddened her eyes with anger, her gaze misty.


    Ever since she found out Howard was the founder of the Ster Crescent Foundation, she saw him


    through rose–colored sses. How could she stand by and watch him suffer so much?