----


    “Matthew, why were you even in the cave?" she asked, her


    tone shifting to something more serious.


    Matthew paused and thought back, "I was knocked out in


    the underground garage. When I woke up, I was tied up in


    the cave. I don’t remember what happened in between."


    Danielle’s expression darkened. "If it wasn’t you, it could’ve


    been any of the other brothers. The Darling family is being


    targeted. You all need to be careful when you go out."


    ----


    "I’ve been investigating the incident


    when I was kidnapped. I found out


    some thinggshat connect to an


    overseas,Organization. It’s very &


    complicated, and! haven’t >


    uncovéred much yet. I never ??


    intended to tell you all this, at


    don’t know when I’ll have.another


    poison re-up. I just waited you to


    be aware of the danger."


    ----


    She paused, her voice turning quieter. "And please, don’t try


    to investigate it yourselves. I’ll try to find out more before the


    poison takes over again."


    Joseph clenched his jaw and frowned. "Danielle, you have to


    trust us. We’ll protect you. We’ll find the antidote. We won’t


    let anything happen to you."


    ----


    Danielle wasn’t distrusting them, but


    she knew the#eality. The Darling


    family had always been


    straightforward in business, and oO


    their bodyguards weren’t exact the


    pest ibat. She didn’t wanther


    brothe rs to be in danger. Besides,


    she didn’t have much timeveft. She


    would bear the darkness“lone.


    ----


    "Joseph, I trust you all, but


    remember what happenedst


    time—Elliot@vas shot during a


    mission, one that was directly tiedao


    the peale behind the scenes. And


    don’t forget about the car idén t


    Julian took the hit for me. And the


    time our grandparents weté in that


    ident. And the poisoriiigst


    time."


    ----


    Howard, Vivian, and the brothers froze. It hit them hard.


    They hadn’t realized how much Joseph had secretly done to


    protect them.


    “We had those people’s eyes on us," Danielle continued.


    “They tried to kill us on the way to ckpool Vige. Only


    Xavier, Dad, Mom, and the three maids knew about it."


    Her family sat in stunned silence. The weight of their


    ignorance crushed them.


    "I never wanted to talk about my poisoning,” Danielle


    continued, her voice colder now. "I thought I could suppress.


    it with medicine for a few more years, but I can’t hold it back


    anymore."


    ----


    “By now, you should all know that the poison I have is called


    Luna Stalk. It’s incurable. When it res up, I’ll attack


    anyone nearby without realizing it. Later, my senses will


    fade, and the pain in my body will be so excruciating, it’ll be


    worse than death.”


    Her words struck deep, like a dagger to the heart of each


    family member.


    "Danielle, don’t give up. We’ll find a way!" Vivian choked out,


    tears brimming in her eyes.


    Danielle forced a small smile. "Mom, I haven’t given up.


    Don’t worry."


    ----


    “Bring Sarah, Lindsey, and Judy in here," she instructed the


    maid.


    Momentster, the three maids entered and stood in a line,


    awaiting her orders.


    “How long have you worked for the Darling family?" Danielle


    asked, her eyes scanning them with a sharp gaze.


    “I’ve been here for four years."


    “Five years."


    “Four years.”


    ----


    They answered, confused by the sudden question.


    Only Judy felt a surge of unease. What did Danielle mean?


    She had to stay calm. She wasn’t sure where this


    conversation was going, but she had to be ready.


    Danielle’s voice went ice cold. "So, the Darling family has


    been treating you well, hasn’t it? So why have you betrayed


    us?"


    Her chilling tone sent a wave of fear through the maids.


    "I... [haven’t betrayed the Darling family. The family has


    treated me so well, I would never do such a thing," Sarah


    cried, suddenly copsing to her knees, her tears streaming


    down her face.


    ----


    "I swear, Miss Darling, I haven’t betrayed the family! You’ve


    always been so good to me, I would never harm the Darling


    family," Lindsey said, her face ashen.


    Judy was thest to speak, barely holding back her tears.


    “Miss Darling, I’ve been with the family for four years. Mrs.


    Darling has always treated me so well. I would never betray


    the family. Is there a misunderstanding? What happened?"


    The tension in the room was unbearable. Danielle’s chilling


    presence left no room for doubt—she would uncover the


    truth, no matter the cost.