<b>Chapter </b><b>791 </b>
<b>In </b>the hazy ambiance of a genteel coffee house, behind an ornate folding screen, two figures were engaged in a game that had long been a pastime of strategic minds.
Chad, d in a modern–cut suit, faced Alexia over a chessboard. His attire was impable, and his appearance was striking–it seemed that he had descended from an ethereal realm, carrying with him an air of noble sophistication.
“Sir, news from Elmsworth has arrived. Glynnis has beenpletely forsaken by Mr. Frederic,” Alexia murmured; her voice was a hushed whisper.
“The paternity test you released at the press conference really shook Mr. Frederic,” she added.
“An expected oue,” Chad replied in an indifferent and aloof tone, hisshes casting shadows on his cheeks. “Elspeth is useless, and what stir can her daughter possibly cause? For many years now, I’ve been aware that Glynnis is not of Abernathy blood. Elspeth’s ndestine actions are as clear to me as daylight.”
“You knew all along? Then why didn’t you expose them sooner?” Alexia asked; her surprise was evident.
“Elspeth has been leveraging her position as thedy of the Abernathy estate to amass wealth underhandedly. Aren’t you worried<b>, </b>or afraid? What if she had gotten a share of the Abernathy assets? What <b>if </b>she had used Frederic to take control? Aren’t you concerned that your leniency might breed a threat?”
“No fear,” Chad said, while his pale fingers picked up a crystal chess piece and captured Alexia’s knight with a calm, practiced move. “Elspeth’s greed is surpassing, but her capabilities werecking, and with my grandfather at the helm of the Abernathy estate, her dreams of conquest are pure folly.
H
H
Besides, my absence from Elmsworth necessitates someone to bnce the scales against Thaddeus within the Abernathy affairs. It would be far too dull for my brother if life were too smooth. s, Elspeth has proved to be a disappointment.”
With a sudden realization, Alexia understood the stratagem at y.
4
“Send a message to Mr. Chambers when you have a moment,” Chad instructed, while lifting his tea cup with elegance. “A new round of the game begins, and I’ve helped him enough already. How he ys his next move is up to him.”
Meanwhile<b>, </b>Gary, who had been shot three times and was miraculously clinging to life, found himself in a hospital <b>under </b>police watch. Despite the heinous acts he’dmitted, his life would be preserved by the <bw’s </b>mandate <b>until </b><b>a </b>formal trial could take ce.
<b>In </b><b>the </b>dead <b>of </b>night<b>, </b><b>a </b>figure in a whiteb coat and mask pushed a cart along the chilling and dimly lit <b>hospital </b>corridor. Entering a room and locking the door behind him, the figure approached the bed where <b>Gary </b>lied; he was still awake, with his gaze fixed on the ceiling; his body was entwined with tubes and his wrist was <b>cuffed </b><b>to </b>the bedrail.
“<b>How </b><b>pitiable </b><b>this </b>man looks,” one might think, “more like <b>a </b>victim than perpetrator,” it was hard to imagine <b>him </b><b>as </b><b>the </b>monster <b>who </b>would even murder his own father.
<b>“</b><b>Gary</b><b>, </b>it’s time <b>for </b><b>your </b>medication,” the figure spoke.
<b>Gary’s </b>eyes widened <b>in </b>terror as <b>the </b>man <b>before </b>him removed <b>his </b>mask to reveal a face twisted with rage<b>–</b><b>it </b>was <b>Dean</b><b>, </b><b>whose </b>eyes were bloodshot with vengeance.
<b>“</b>Oh<b>, </b><b>are </b><b>you </b><b>scared</b><b>? </b><b>Does </b>a demon <b>like </b>you fear <b>death</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>Dean taunted, as <b>Gary’s </b>muffled protests were <b>silenced </b><b>by </b><b>the </b><b>tape </b>firmly <b>ced </b>across his <b>mouth</b>.
<b>“</b><b>Didn’t </b>you <b>do </b><b>all </b><b>this </b><b>with </b>the <b>intention </b><b>of </b><b>dying </b><b>alongside </b>Mr. Fairhaven<b>? </b>Weren’t you <b>eager </b><b>for death</b><b>? </b>With
<b>12:36 </b>
a few days in the hospital, does life seem sweet for you again? Are you afraid now?”
Dean picked up a syringe with a needle as thick as an awl from the stainless steel tray on the cart. A cruel smile crossed his lips, but his eyes brimmed with hatred and tears.
“Gary, you killed my mentor, which was as good as killing my sister and Mr. Fairhaven’s most cherished. Do you think I’d let you pass awayfortably, on your terms? I’ve prepared five doses for you, each a different lethal poison. Each will offer you a taste of agony so profound, and you’ll wish for death. Enjoy.”
f
<i>2/2 </i>