?<strong>Chapter 1122:</strong>


    Jake found himself at a loss for words in response to her plea. She did seem a victim in this ordeal. Yet, unbeknownst to him, Lacey had orchestrated their arrival at the hospital precisely for this confrontation. It was just that Lacey herself hadn’t anticipated that yton would escte matters to such a perilous extent. But she was too frightened to disclose the full truth to Jake. Remaining silent offered her a fragile hope of staying alive. Revealing the full truth would undoubtedly turn Jake against her, driving him to a point where he could seek her end. Despite her deep-seated resentment toward yton, Lacey clung to a sliver of rational thought.


    Jake exhaled deeply, his demeanor softening.


    “Calm down. The poison hasn’t taken effect yet, so it’s probably not as lethal as you fear. I promise, I’ll make sure you’re safe,” he assured her. At his words, Lacey allowed herself a small, relieved exhale.


    As Jake and his men departed, Lacey wasted no time. She swiftly pulled out her phone and dialed yton’s number, her fingers trembling with urgency.


    The connection was swift.


    “What’s up?”


    yton’s casual tone drifted through the line, igniting a fire of anger in Lacey. She barely managed to keep her fury in check.


    “How could you treat me like this? yton, after all I’ve done for you, this is how you repaid me? What was it that you had that masked man force down my throat? I’m just trying to survive here. If you’re determined to get rid of me, don’t expect toe out of it unhurt!”


    As Lacey hurled her resolute threats, yton couldn’t help but find a trace of humor in them. His response was marked by an eerie calm, a stark contrast to her turmoil.


    “It seems you’ve got it all wrong. Firstly, I’m doing this for your benefit. Should we get caught, you’ll be able to clear your name since you are portrayed as the victim. Secondly, you weren’t always acting under my orders. You have done many things willingly. You’ve willingly sacrificed so much for your ambitions, and now you’re pointing fingers at me? That seems a bit unfair, doesn’t it? Everything you’re dealing with now was your choice. And thirdly, go ahead and tell Jake whatever you want to reveal. He and I haven’t seen eye to eye in ages. Why would I worry about your tales? But just remember, if the truth surfaces, he’ll lose all sympathy for you.”


    Lacey seethed with rage yet had to acknowledge the harsh truth in yton’s words. She took a deep breath, digging her nails into her palm to maintainposure.


    “Then what are you aiming for? My death serves you no benefit.”


    yton’sughter was low and chilling.


    “The substance you were given was indeed poison,” he admitted nonchntly.


    These few words were enough to shake Lacey to her core, leaving her struggling to catch her breath.


    yton reassured her with a sinister smile, “But don’t fret. I can’t afford to lose you just yet. You’re still of value to me. And that poison? It was merely to convince Jake of your innocence.”


    Lacey’s tension eased slightly, but she clenched her jaw tightly.


    “You had better be speaking the truth, or I swear, I’ll haunt you beyond the grave.”


    Her threat, meant to be menacing, now sounded hollow and impotent. yton gave a chuckle and disconnected the call.


    Meanwhile, after leaving Lacey behind, Jake set out in search of Kallie. He returned to theirst known meeting ce, but Kallie was nowhere to be seen.


    A wave of panic washed over Jake, prompting him to question a nearby bodyguard, who informed him that Kallie had felt ill and had gone to her room to lie down.


    Jake hurried to Kallie’s room, and as he pushed the door open, his heart pounding with a mix of dread and hope. He feared the worst—that yton had spirited Kallie away. Though he doubted yton’s audacity tomit such an act, he recalled yton’s cunning in poisoning Lacey, which meant Kallie could be in danger too.


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