CHAPTER 146: CHAPTER 146: WORSE THAN DEATH

When Stella returned to the villa, Aiden Fordham had already fainted.

He lay on the bed, his face pale as a sheet of paper, devoid of color.

She rushed over, her gaze landing on his back, where the wound was horrifying.

The skin around the needle mark was blackened, and some areas had already begun to fester and ooze pus.

Her tears instantly welled up, her voice choked with suppressed sobs, and she lost her composure and shouted at Keegan Lindsey,

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

Keegan stood aside, his face full of guilt and remorse, his head hung low.

"Ma’am, I’m sorry, President Fordham... he didn’t want you to worry, so he..."

Stella took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

Now was not the time to assign blame.

"Scalpel." She extended her hand, her voice still trembling, but her gaze was unusually determined.

Keegan quickly handed over a sterilized scalpel.

She carefully made a cross incision on the blackened necrotic flesh on Aiden Fordham’s back.

A stream of foul-smelling black blood immediately gushed out, the color enough to make one’s heart race.

Stella’s stomach churned, but she gritted her teeth, carefully pressing the wound until the bleeding blood became slightly lighter in color.

Then she quickly opened her medical kit, took out a small porcelain bottle, poured out a green capsule, twisted it open, and evenly sprinkled the powder on the cleaned wound.

Finally, she carefully bandaged it with clean gauze and tape.

Afterward, she gave Keegan a packet of purple pills, "This medicine can suppress the development of the toxin, reducing his pain. One pill a day, make sure he takes it on time."

Keegan quickly took the pills, then spoke in a low voice.

"Ma’am, President Fordham... he originally had the antidote prepared by the old master, ready to be sent over. But yesterday when we went to pick him up at the airport, the old master... he was taken by someone ahead of time."

He paused, a trace of hatred in his voice, "We suspect it was Andy Lockwood."

Stella’s eyes turned cold as she nodded thoughtfully.

Keegan looked at her anxiously, "Ma’am, what should we do now? Are there any other options?"

"The F2 neurovirus, this virus attacks nerve cells directly. Since Master had prepared the antidote in advance, it means only his antidote is most effective and fastest."

Stella’s voice was a bit hoarse, she paused, then continued, "Now, trying to find plants to extract an antidote is simply too late, the virus spreads too quickly."

A trace of remorse flashed in her eyes.

"Previously, the No. 13 reagent I developed for Erwin could also counter this virus, but unfortunately..."

She didn’t continue, but unfortunately, that life-saving reagent was shattered by Erwin himself.

Now, it’s gone.

Keegan’s heart sank to the bottom of the valley, the flicker of hope just reignited was mercilessly extinguished.

Stella looked at his desolate appearance and gently patted his shoulder.

"You go out first, prepare some bland food for him. Also, send someone to Skylake Peak immediately, help me fetch three branches of the seven-color brocade, the sooner the better."

"Seven-color brocade?" Keegan was taken aback, but immediately nodded, "Yes, ma’am, I’ll arrange it right away."

After Keegan went out, Stella sat by the bed, looking at Aiden Fordham’s pale face, gently holding his large hand.

This F2 neurovirus, as far as she knew, only samples existed in Master’s laboratory, and they had all been destroyed years ago.

Why was Aiden Fordham still poisoned with it? Could it be that Andy Lockwood poisoned him?

She took out her phone and quickly dialed Master’s number.

The phone wasn’t turned off; the ringtone sounded for a long time, and just when she thought no one would answer, the call was connected.

A familiar voice that sent chills to her bones came through the receiver.

"Stella, are you okay?"

It was Andy Lockwood.

Stella’s grip on the phone was so tight that her fingertips turned slightly white.

"Andy Lockwood, where did you take my Master?" Her voice was icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

On the other end, Andy chuckled lightly.

"Rest assured, the old master is in a very safe place, his life is not in danger."

Stella suppressed the fury in her heart: "Did you poison Aiden Fordham?"

Andy seemed taken aback for a moment, then let out a low laugh.

"Well, that was actually an accident. Originally, this ’gift’ was meant for Erwin. Who knew, Aiden Fordham loved meddling so much that he took the hit for him. Would you call that fate?"

Stella’s heart sank deeper.

"Is Master’s antidote with you?"

Andy’s laughter carried a hint of smugness.

"If you want it, come get it yourself. You know where I am, remember, come alone."

"Beep beep beep..."

The call was hung up by Andy.

Stella put down the phone, picked up a nearby towel, and gently wiped the sweat from Aiden Fordham’s forehead.

Her actions were gentle, but her gaze was unfalteringly determined.

A moment later, she stood up, turned around, and walked out without a hint of hesitation.

Heading back to that bay.

The wind was strong, blowing Stella’s hair into a chaotic dance.

The driver parked the car at the port, watched her board a speedboat alone, and disappear into the vast sea mist.

Alarmed, the driver quickly took out his phone and made a call to Keegan.

When Aiden Fordham gradually awoke, he felt a considerable relief from the suffocation in his chest, and his breathing was much smoother.

He opened his eyes, a bit dazed as he looked at the ceiling.

"President Fordham, you’re awake?"

Keegan came in holding a bowl of porridge, a look of relief on his face.

Aiden turned his head, his voice still a bit hoarse, "Have we taken off?"

Keegan Lindsey paused with the porridge in his hand, his expression becoming somewhat complicated and troubled.

"Ma’am... Ma’am is back."

He carefully observed Aiden Fordham’s expression, "She... She knows about your poisoning."

Aiden Fordham jolted upon hearing this, his previously dazed eyes instantly becoming clear and sharp.

"Where is she?" he asked urgently, with a hint of barely detectable panic in his voice.

Keegan lowered his head, not daring to meet his eyes.

"Just... Just received the news, Ma’am... Ma’am went out with the driver, the driver said she boarded a speedboat at Weston Bay Dock and headed deeper into the bay."

Aiden Fordham’s face turned deathly pale, he suddenly sat up from the bed, lifting the quilt to get out.

"President Fordham!" Keegan quickly put down the porridge bowl and moved forward to support him, "You are still very weak, you shouldn’t move around!"

"Get out of my way!" Aiden Fordham pushed him aside and staggered towards the door.

Keegan became anxious: "Before Ma’am left, she instructed you not to go anywhere, to focus on recuperating, that she’ll be back soon!"

Aiden Fordham glared at him with eyes as red as blood, looking as if he could eat someone alive.

"Prepare the car! Bring people, we’re going to Weston Bay Dock!" His voice was hoarse but carried an indisputable command.

After the call, Vivi Sterling also felt uneasy, restless.

She didn’t know if telling Stella about Aiden Fordham’s poisoning was right or wrong.

However, she just didn’t want Stella to have any regrets in her life.

Zane Zimmerman saw her pacing absentmindedly in the study.

He walked over, gently wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, "What’s wrong? You look like the sky is falling."

Vivi leaned into his embrace, her voice muffled: "I think... I might have done something bad."

She recounted the whole situation to Zane.

Upon hearing it, Zane’s eyes darkened, he reached out and gently pinched her bottom.

"Hmm, this time you really meant well but did wrong, putting me in a passive position."

Vivi looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean! What does it have to do with you?"

Zane pulled her to a chair, patiently explaining:

"Originally, between Andy Lockwood and Aiden Fordham, it was just private animosity over a love rivalry. Andy’s target is Stella Grant, and probably after he forces Stella to submit, he’d just retreat."

"But now," he switched the focus, "Cillian West knows that Aiden Fordham’s life is uncertain, and previously they had a grudge. Think about it, might he go to Andy Lockwood to demand someone? Or just use this as an excuse to team up with Andy?"

"In this way, the two of them might form an alliance to attack my East Sector. I understand Andy Lockwood, he’s a deep schemer, a capable general. Now, indeed the battle situation has become a bit passive."

Vivi’s eyes widened at his words, her face going a bit pale.

"Then... What to do? If they really attack, will you be in danger?" She clutched Zane’s arm nervously.

Zane looked at her worried expression and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"If I die, will you be sad for me?"

Vivi froze for a moment, pointing a small finger at his chest,

"Is our Mr. Zimmerman so easily defeated? You surely won’t die! As the saying goes, ’A scourge lasts a millennium!’ Ha!"

Upon finishing, she couldn’t help but chuckle, like a little fox who just got away with something.

"Growing bold, hmm? Daring to mock your man like this?"

Zane’s eyes narrowed dangerously, he caught her little hand, lightly biting it.

She shrank back in surprise.

His gaze was filled with complex emotions, he reached out an arm and effortlessly lifted her onto the desk.

Vivi was startled by his sudden move, instinctively letting out a gasp.

"You... You still have injuries!"

Zane leaned down, his hot breath flaring at her ear, his voice carried an alluring magnetism.

"Then you be more proactive, hmm? Save me some strength."

Vivi’s face flushed a deep red, like a ripe apple, tempting for the picking.

He adored her bashful and helpless demeanor, pouncing like a tiger descending the mountain.

There was no talk of saving strength, he wanted nothing more than to envelop her into his very being, to utterly conquer her.

After battling for an entire afternoon, Vivi almost fainted, only then did he finally cease and carried her back to the bedroom.

...

The sea breeze was wild as Stella boarded the large ship.

Andy Lockwood emerged, as always noble and handsome, his gaze softened slightly upon seeing her.

Stella’s long hair was tousled by the sea breeze, the temperature at sea was much lower, and she shivered.

"Where’s Master?"

Andy Lockwood approached, took off his coat, and tenderly draped it over her.

She dared not throw it off!

"The old man can’t get used to ships, I’ve sent him to a safe place, don’t worry."

Stella’s icy eyes fixed on him, speaking directly, "Where’s the antidote?"

Andy didn’t answer immediately; he took out a cigarette, but the wind was too strong to light it, so he held it between his long fingers.

"Are you on board today for him or for Master?" His tone was calm, but his eyes were deep.

Stella found herself choked, unable to answer.

"And you’re hesitating? Is Aiden Fordham more important than your Master?"

Yes, he was angry!

His gaze darkened, a large hand gently brushed her windswept hair, "Don’t worry, tomorrow, I’ll help you choose."

"What are you going to do?" Stella felt a bad premonition, a chill in her heart.

In the direction of the port, five black luxury cars suddenly sped out, Andy Lockwood’s gaze was deeply fixed on that side.

"They’ve already arrived!"

The curve on Andy Lockwood’s lips became even more pronounced, those deep eyes of his swirling with a terrifying storm.

Aiden Fordham, you’ve arrived just in time, I’m going to make you wish for death!