82Dylan took a deep breath, his focus sharp as he prepared for the delicate procedure. He had already sterilized the tools and set the teapot near the edge of the table. With a steady hand, he grabbed a scalpel and made a precise cut along the side of Odile’s neck, just beneath her jawline. The incision was shallow, but it was enough to allow for the leech to do its work.“Hold still,” Dylan murmured, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. He gently wiped the blood from the wound, ensuring it wouldn’t interfere with the procedure.Olivia stood frozen, her eyes wide with worry as she watched him work. Zara, standing just beside her, couldn’t tear her gaze away either, her hand clutching Olivia’s arm in a grip that spoke of her anxiety.Once the cut was made, Dylan reached for the teapot, where the leech had been soaking. He removed it carefully, the creature curling slightly as it was lifted from the hot water. It had been prepared just so, its temperature now perfect

84Lucas stood at the threshold of the room, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his face a mask of fury. The veins in his neck were visible as his breathing deepened with every passing second, and his eyes were narrowed, burning into Dylan. His lips were pressed into a thin, hard line. There was no relief, no sense of gratitude in his expression. Instead, there was a coldness, a distance, that sent a chill down Olivia’s spine.“Are you seriously standing there like everything is fine?” Olivia’s voice rang out, filled with a mix of confusion and growing concern. She rose from her seat, her hands clenched at her sides, frustration bubbling to the surface. “Lucas, this is a miracle! She’s alive. She’s healing, and you’re standing there looking like you’re about to explode. Can’t you see that?”Lucas didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink. His gaze remained fixed firmly on Dylan, his jaw clenched so tight it seemed like his teeth might break. His posture was rigid, as though he were tryin

86 Dylan’s voice broke the silence in the room, low and steady, carrying an air of gravity that seemed to weigh the walls down. “She’s been poisoned for over a month.” The words hung in the air like a thick fog, suffocating everything around them. “The doses were small at first, but in the last three days, the amount has tripled.”Olivia’s pulse thudded in her ears as the room seemed to spin. Her stomach lurched. Poisoned? Her mind raced, trying to wrap around the idea, but it couldn’t seem to hold on to it. She stared at Dylan, her eyes wide in disbelief, her voice barely a whisper. “You mean someone… deliberately tried to kill her?”Dylan nodded gravely, his expression unreadable. His eyes locked with hers, and for the first time, Olivia saw the weight of the truth in them. “Not just her,” he added, his voice thick with the kind of pain that came from knowing too much. “You too, Olivia.”A sharp gasp escaped Olivia’s lips, and she staggered back a step. Her breath hitched, and she

88 Dylan glanced at her, his face unreadable. “Be vigilant. Watch everyone. And trust no one.” His eyes flickered briefly to Lucas, who was still standing by the window, his back turned to them. The meaning was clear. Olivia’s stomach twisted as she realized the full extent of what Dylan was saying. Lucas wasn’t just a suspect. He was dangerous. Dr. Everett, who had been silent this whole time, finally stepped forward. His sharp eyes settled on Zara and Lewis, his tone firm. “You two.” Zara frowned. “What?” Dr. Everett’s expression was unreadable. “Thank him.” Lewis’s face twisted. “For what?” Dr. Everett’s gaze didn’t waver. “For saving your daughter’s life of course.” Zara and Lewis exchanged a look. It was clear neither of them wanted to do it. But after a tense pause, Zara exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. “…Fine.” She turned to Dylan, her voice begrudging. “Thanks, I guess.” Lewis mumbled something similar, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Dylan b

Chapter 90: Silent AgreementsDylan walked in silence, his steps even, his hands tucked into his pockets. The cool night air did nothing to ease the weight in his chest. Dr. Everett, still at his side, studied him with wary eyes, clearly debating whether to push further or let the quiet stretch between them.Eventually, the doctor exhaled sharply and broke the silence.“So,” Dr. Everett said, voice heavy, “are you going to take it back?”Dylan didn’t stop walking. “Take what back?”Dr. Everett shot him a flat look. “Don’t play dumb with me, lord Grenville. The alliance. Your place. You were the only one holding it together, and without you—”“It fell apart,” Dylan finished for him, his tone neutral. “Yeah, I gathered that much.”Dr. Everett frowned. “And?”“And what?”Dr. Everett stopped abruptly, forcing Dylan to pause as well. They stood in a place, the doctor’s face lined with exhaustion and something deeper—concern.“Are you going to fix it?” he asked.Dylan met his gaze but didn