CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: THE SERVANT SWINGS A KNIFE AT HER FACE

Next morning.

Stella Grant slowly woke up, and last night’s scene flooded into her mind.

She, she kissed that Mr. West? The thought hit her, and she bounced up from the bed like she was spring-loaded.

Her first reaction was to quickly check her body.

Up and down, carefully. Fortunately, there were no signs of violations.

Stella Grant let out a heavy sigh of relief and slumped back on the bed.

Her heart was still pounding crazily.

Yesterday, she also heard him say something about "husband."

What does that mean?

Could it mean he’s bringing her husband to help her? What kind of international joke is that! Meritopia is more than three thousand kilometers away, even a rocket wouldn’t be that fast.

She patted her face, trying to wake herself up.

She had to admit, Mr. West was truly a gentleman. Even in that moment, at such a lively age, he managed to remain composed.

It seems Andy Lockwood was right.

He, Mr. West, is indeed a GAY.

Completely uninterested in women, it’s said that any woman who has the audacity to approach him would have her hand chopped off.

Now it seems the rumors are true.

She walked out to the balcony, where the scenery was breathtaking. Skylake Peak is the tallest peak in Mardale, so she could see the whole of Mardale.

Half of the area shimmered in the morning light like a projection of paradise.

The other half remained shrouded in decay and darkness, like an abandoned hell.

In between, a towering wall stretched across, like a glaring wound, crudely separating two entirely different worlds.

And a solitary and upright figure at the edge of the cliff became a beautiful scenery.

At this moment, Mr. West had one hand in his pocket, making a call, the sunlight reflecting softly off his golden mask.

The dawn’s light outlined his tall figure, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, resembling a male model.

Instantly, she seemed to fall into an illusion again, like, really like... him.

Suddenly, a man approached, shared a hug with Mr. West, and Mr. West patted his shoulder, looking familiar between them, then the two stood at the cliff side chatting about something.

Stella Grant suddenly realized, perhaps that man was Mr. West’s "girlfriend."

Soon, Stella Grant walked in their direction.

The man, seeing Stella Grant coming, found an excuse to walk away.

Stella Grant understood, avoiding suspicion!

She spoke, "Mr. West, thank you for helping me yesterday."

The fake Mr. West — Aiden Fordham, heard this and his brows twitched slightly, his tone somewhat unnaturally tense: "I didn’t touch you."

"I know." Stella Grant nodded her head, calmly, "I was referring to the antidote you found for me."

He gently nodded, acknowledging it.

The wind at the cliff’s edge was strong, blowing her soft hair.

Aiden Fordham silently took off his jacket, a black coat of excellent texture, carrying his clean scent and naturally draped it over her.

"It’s windy here." He said briefly.

Stella Grant felt the warmth from the jacket and that faint, unique scent of his, and did not refuse his kindness.

This man, was truly nice.

Suddenly, her gaze was drawn to a cluster of blooming purple flowers on the cliff’s edge.

That color was vibrant, in the rather desolate cliff edge, it was truly a striking sight.

"Oh!" She exclaimed in surprise, unable to control her feet as she ran over there.

"Dangerous!" Aiden Fordham was terrified, almost reflexively reached out his long arm and pulled her back, tightly into his embrace, his tone tinged with frightened severity: "What are you thinking?"

The warmth of the man’s chest left her a little dazed, but at that moment, her thoughts were all on the flowers.

Stella Grant struggled in his arms, pointing to the inconspicuous cluster of purple flowers on the ground, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him:

"Do you know what kind of flower this is? Seven-color brocade! I searched the whole world, and to think it grew here!"

Her tone was delighted, indeed, this Seven-color brocade was the one Professor Franck brought to Meritopia for her earlier.

This thing is highly toxic, yet it can cure all poisons, it’s inexplicable, and extremely precious!

She said, trying to break away from his arms to pick them herself.

"Don’t move." However, he forcefully uttered two words, pulling her closer, not allowing any resistance.

Then he took long steps, walked to the cliff’s edge, bent down and picked several of the purple Seven-color brocade, placing them in her palm.

The flowers were exquisite and small, with truly rare colors.

Suddenly, he remembered, these little flowers were sent by Professor Franck to her before, at Andy Lockwood’s party.

Turns out, it was this thing.

Stella Grant held the flowers, her eyebrows curved in joy, suddenly, she pinched a petal lightly and placed it in her mouth, savoring it.

Aiden Fordham’s eyebrows instantly furrowed into a line: "Are you hungry? Let me take you to a restaurant, how can you eat flowers?"

This woman is worryingly fearless!

"This flower is highly toxic." Stella Grant spoke carelessly, calmly, "I’m just testing it."

At her words, Aiden Fordham was terrified to the point of losing his soul: "It’s toxic and you’re eating it? Are you crazy!"

He immediately wanted her to spit it out, was this woman suicidal!

Stella Grant, however, burst out laughing, with a touch of slyness: "It’s fine, using poison to fight poison. I have antibodies in my body, it won’t hurt me."

She blinked and continued: "Before, when I was researching, getting poisoned several times a day was routine.

Once, it was even more exaggerated, just by smelling an unfamiliar flower, my face swelled directly like a pig’s head, so ugly my mentor didn’t recognize me and thought I was a formula-stealing thief!"

She casually recounted past dangers, as if telling someone else’s joke.

Aiden Fordham listened to her words, first astonished, then unable to control his smile.

Beloved God N, she’s truly a treasure bestowed to humanity.

So interesting!

Why didn’t he take his time to get to know her before?

He raised his hand and gently brushed aside the hair blown messy by the wind on her cheek, his fingertip inadvertently touching her slightly cool skin.

His eyes exuded an endless tenderness that could drown a person.

Stella Grant looked up at him, meeting his deep gaze, feeling a bit at a loss, her heart skipping a beat.

Suddenly, a bodyguard approached and whispered a few words in his ear, and he nodded.

"Your friend has returned to the castle, I’m going out for a bit, can you wait here for me to come back? Don’t leave on your own."

He earnestly instructed.

"Alright, I will wait for you to come back." Stella Grant nodded, surprisingly obedient.

He walked away with large strides, boarding the helicopter directly.

"This time, I’m going to blow his dog’s head off." His dark eyes carried a fierce air.

"Yes!" The team members on the plane responded loudly!

...

The small iron cage was cold.

Vivi Sterling curled up in the corner, hugging her arms tightly, her teeth uncontrollably chattering.

Her stomach was empty, feeling anxious and burning painfully.

She hadn’t eaten for a day and a night, feeling dizzy and seeing stars.

The unbelievable truths from the video exploded in her mind, turning into a chaotic mess.

Five years ago.

The earth-shattering duel between her brother and Zane Zimmerman.

Winston Strickland, back then, was just a loyal dog by Zane Zimmerman’s side.

At the time, her brother made the first move. One shot, right at Zane Zimmerman’s face, putting him on the brink of life and death.

Then, Winston Strickland, the lunatic, actually wanted to perish together with her brother, both rolling into the sea of fire.

Eventually, both crawled out.

Now, Winston Strickland captured her just to force her brother to appear!

To draw out another battle with Zane Zimmerman, he wants to profit from the chaos, seizing the opportunity to rise in ranks.

The more Vivi Sterling thought, the heavier her head became, her eyelids felt heavy like they were filled with lead.

If only Stella was here!

At this moment, Stella Grant was fully focused in the study, handling a few freshly picked seven-color brocade flowers.

These flowers, though beautiful, were also poisoned.

Her fingertips gently rubbed a piece of semi-dry petal, the texture had already started to stiffen.

This thing must never fall into enemy hands, otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The study door was gently knocked.

A young girl in a servant uniform entered with a tray, wearing a professional smile.

"Miss, Mr. West asked someone to make the bird’s nest porridge for you."

The girl’s voice was soft, as she placed the porcelain bowl gently on the corner of the desk.

Stella Grant paused her hand holding the petal, responding faintly, "Leave it there."

The servant acknowledged, but didn’t leave immediately.

When she looked up, a dagger wrapped in a gust of wind was headed straight for her face, "Die!"

Her pupils shrank suddenly with fear, her entire body bristling, instinctively wanting to dodge backwards.

"Bang!"

A loud explosion.

The servant who a second ago was threatening to kill her was sent flying by a powerful kick.

"Swoosh—"

The servant groaned, collapsing on the ground, blood foaming at her mouth, obviously seriously injured.

Stella Grant gasped, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.

Only then did she realize the person protecting her was a tall, cool woman, the one who had helped her at the water tower.

Unexpectedly, like a divine being descending, she once again saved her today.

"Swoosh swoosh—"

A few bodyguards rushed in quickly at the commotion, their faces changed seeing the scene inside the study.

"Take her away! Interrogate her thoroughly!" One of the leading bodyguards ordered sternly, someone immediately stepped forward to drag the servant who couldn’t get up away like a dead dog.

Stella Grant steadied herself, her chest still pounding, her voice slightly floating, "Thank you."

The woman heard this, nodded, turned around, and walked straight towards the door.

Her figure moved swiftly like a breeze.

Suddenly, a shout came from outside, "Quick, Mr. West is injured!"

Stella Grant rushed out at the sound.

Aiden Fordham’s face was pale, supported by two bodyguards as he entered.

Stella Grant quickly approached, worried, "Mr. West, you’re hurt, where is it?"

"It’s nothing, just a minor injury." He shook his head, as two more bodyguards came in behind, protecting an old man.

"Girl!" A frail yet familiar voice made Stella Grant turn around joyfully, seeing a kind face.

"Master!" She exclaimed happily, running over to hug him, "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine, thanks to Mr. West, he brought people to rescue." The old man showed a face of relief, it was really close this time, almost lost a finger, nearly met his end in this god-awful place.

The bodyguard exclaimed again, "Not good, Mr. West fainted!"

Stella Grant’s heart tightened! She didn’t know, because of this injury, it led to their separation in life and death...