However, the thrill of stirring up trouble was undeniably entertaining.


    Haynes was not the type to waste words exining himself.


    He turned to Jasper and said, "Jasper, apologize to Ste."


    Jasper was reluctant, his discontent clear, yet he was mindful of Rachel''s illness. Begrudgingly, he spoke up.


    "Ste, I was only joking with you... Why be so sensitive, right?"


    Ste wasn''t bothered by Jasper''s dismissive attitude. She smiled slightly.


    "If you don''t want to apologize, that''s fine. Since you''re so close with Ms. Pearce, perhaps you wouldn''t mind testing the medicine for her?"


    Jasper was suspicious, "Didn''t you say that all medicine has side effects? I don''t have this illness. Wouldn''t taking this medicine do more harm than good?"


    Ste coaxed, "You may not have a terminal illness, but haven''t you been poisoned in a way? The first course of treatment is mild, with detoxifying properties. It won''t harm your face; in fact, it might even help."


    She waved the bottle of pills in the air. "The ingredients are rare and valuable, each pill worth a fortune. It took a full week to make just these few, going throughplex processes."


    Jasper was taken aback by Ste''s persuasive words.


    "Is it really that miraculous?"


    Ste replied, "Not miraculous enough to cure Ms. Pearce''s terminal illness, is it?"


    Skeptically, Jasper took the pill from Ste''s hand and was about to pop it into his mouth.


    Just as he was about to swallow, he paused.


    He threatened fiercely, "Ste, if something happens to me, you''re done for!"


    Ste smiled reassuringly. "If you have any issues, you cane to me."


    The concoction, made from soaking water typically used for foot baths, was mostly harmless. As for the rat droppings and cockroach bits-well, Mr. Burton assured her they weren''t too problematic. After all, it''s not like rat droppings are consumed daily. And cockroaches are high in protein.


    With Ste''s confident assurance, Jasper swallowed the pill whole.


    After taking it, nothing out of the ordinary happened to him.


    Half an hour passed, and he still felt perfectly fine.


    Finally, Jasper rxed and turned to Rachel. "Seems fine, Rachel. You should take it too. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you''ll recover!"


    Rachel looked at the dark, uninviting pill in her hand, hesitant to consume it. But refusing would be too suspicious.


    Steeling herself, she took a sip of water and swallowed the pill.


    Ste chuckled inwardly. She needed to think carefully about the second course of treatment.


    Once they finished, Ste collected the remaining pills.


    Jasper couldn''t help but voice his concern, "Ste, didn''t you say Rachel couldplete a full course of treatment? Why are you taking the pills away? How will Rachel get better?"


    Ste exined, "Ms. Pearce needs to take her medication every three days, but for this month, she muste here for it. The first treatment phase is crucial. If she doesn''t take the pills and secretly disposes of them, you might me the medicine for not working."


    Jasper protested, "How could that be?! This is Rachel''s lifesaving medication. Why would she not take it and throw it away?!"


    Ste gave Rachel a knowing look, one that sent chills down Rachel''s spine.


    Could Ste possibly know she was faking her illness?


    But no, that couldn''t be, right?


    If Ste knew, she would have already exposed her to Haynes.


    But Ste wasn''t afraid. Because...