CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: AIDEN FORDHAM, LOST TO DARKNESS

Aiden Fordham gently placed her on the bed, his voice carrying a trace of forcibly suppressed hoarseness, "Don’t be nervous, I wasn’t planning on doing anything."

"I just wanted to smell the scent on you."

In fact, he couldn’t smell it anymore; his sense of smell had failed him.

He bent down and kissed her on the forehead, saying, "Good night."

Then, he turned and walked out.

The door clicked shut.

Stella Grant took a deep breath, still able to hear the drum-like pounding of her heart.

The warm sensation of his lips lingered on her forehead.

She turned over, burying her face in the soft pillow, truly exhausted.

Outside the door.

Aiden Fordham stood by the window, a cigarette between his fingers, the flickering red ember dancing in the dark night.

He took a drag and slowly exhaled rings of smoke, the swirling haze blurring his sharp features.

He struggled to restrain the raging impulses within his body.

In his eyes, the desire had not yet faded.

After a long silence, he stubbed out the cigarette, turned, and walked into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of rushing water came from the bathroom.

The night in Mardale seemed to grow restless.

In the middle of the night, Zane Zimmerman returned to the villa.

Vivi Sterling lay on her side; she wasn’t truly asleep or perhaps not asleep at all.

The mattress sank slightly behind her, and then a large hand reached over, with a force that allowed no refusal, gently pulling her into a solid chest.

The cold pine scent mixed with a faint hint of tobacco from Zane’s body instantly enveloped her.

Vivi Sterling’s entire body stiffened, reflexively bouncing away.

"Snap."

She reached out and switched on the bedside lamp.

The soft orange light spilled down, illuminating the man’s slightly tired yet still deeply handsome face.

Vivi Sterling looked at Zane Zimmerman beside the bed. He had just taken off his jacket, wearing only a black shirt with two buttons undone, revealing a small patch of his firm chest.

Her gaze was icy, her voice devoid of any warmth, "Either you sleep outside, or I will. You choose."

Zane’s deep eyes gazed at her, his voice somewhat low, "The wind’s picking up, I’m worried you’ll get cold."

Vivi Sterling tugged at the corner of her mouth, laden with heavy sarcasm.

"Mr. Zimmerman, you’re joking. I don’t even fear the devil; why would I fear the cold?"

Zane’s brows furrowed slightly indistinctly as he suddenly spoke to explain, "Vivi, what you saw today wasn’t what you think."

He paused, then added, "In a few days, once things settle down, I’ll give you a satisfactory answer."

Vivi Sterling’s exquisite face remained icy, "No need, I don’t want to hear anything. Tomorrow, arrange a private jet to take me back to Meritopia."

Seeing him, she was reminded of the scene from the day, her stomach churning.

Zane reached out, attempting to grab her hand.

Vivi Sterling quickly dodged, avoiding his touch, her gaze filled with resistance and disgust.

Zane’s extended hand froze in midair, his eyes darkened.

He softened his tone, with a barely audible coaxing, "Vivi, can you wait a few days? It’s still chaotic outside. Wait for me a few days, and once things are over, I’ll personally take you back, alright?"

The last word, "alright," carried a slightly coaxing tone, like soothing a child.

"Not even for a day." Her tone was resolute. After speaking, she lay back on the bed, turning her back to him. Snap, she switched off the lamp again.

Darkness once again enveloped the room, also sealing off any possibility of communication.

Zane’s heart felt stifled, like it was stuffed with wet cotton.

He stood in the darkness for a moment and eventually turned to leave, gently closing the door.

That door completely cut off their hearts.

The next morning.

Stella Grant got up early and boarded the helicopter arranged by Keegan Lindsey, heading for Mount Albus at the border.

That was where her mentor was living in seclusion.

Indeed, she was going to retrieve the Nine Days Warmth, only missing this one herb.

The thundering of the helicopter’s rotors shattered the morning tranquility.

As they approached, she looked through the window, her pupils suddenly contracting.

In the direction of the main house, a thick column of black smoke was rising into the sky, clawing viciously.

Her heart skipped a beat, an ominous feeling gripped her instantly.

Something had happened!

As soon as the plane stabilized, before the hatch was fully open, Stella Grant was the first to jump out.

She stumbled and rushed toward the backyard.

The Nine Days Warmth herb garden her mentor had meticulously cared for was now just a charred wasteland.

In the air lingered a pungent burnt smell, stinging her eyes to tears.

Stella Grant rushed to the edge of the scorched land, almost collapsing, frantically digging through the ashes with her hands, trying to find any remaining green.

Nothing.

There was nothing left.

Not a single plant remained!

Her fingernails were filled with black soot, and her hands were cut and bleeding, but she was oblivious.

Leo Lynch quickly followed, squatting beside her with a grave look.

"Stella, Grandpa is not here."

His voice was low, carrying suppressed worry.

Stella Grant’s face was frighteningly pale, trembling slightly from the loss of the Nine Days Warmth.

This was not just her mentor’s hard work, but also Aiden Fordham’s lifesaving medicine.

Suddenly, a commotion arose.

Two bodyguards escorted a woman over.

The woman wore plain clothes, her hair slightly disheveled, but the cold arrogance in her eyes was undiminished.

It was indeed Cindy Chandler.

Stella Grant sprang up and quickly rushed to Cindy Chandler, her eyes nearly spitting fire.

"Did you set this fire?" Her voice was slightly hoarse from urgent anger.

Cindy Chandler lifted her head, met her gaze with indifference, and even curled her lips into a mocking smile.

"Senior Sister."

She paused and said slowly, "Aiden Fordham won’t survive, you must be very upset, right?"

This tone was practically stabbing a knife into someone’s heart.

Stella’s chest heaved violently, signaling the bodyguards to step back.

Leo Lynch and the bodyguards exchanged glances and silently retreated to the distance, but their eyes remained warily locked on the scene.

In the open scorched earth, only the two of them remained.

Stella stared intently at Cindy, struggling to steady her breath, and asked,

"Cindy, you must have Nine Days Warmth with you, right?"

She placed all her hopes on this once innocent young junior sister.

Upon hearing this, Cindy suddenly burst into a fit of cold laughter, the sound sharp and jarring.

"How is that possible?"

"It’s all burned to ashes, not a single bit left! I would never betray Senior Brother."

The "Senior Brother" she referred to was naturally Andy Lockwood.

Stella seemed to lose all her strength, her body swayed, uncontrollably retreating a small step.

"Cindy, why are you helping him do these things? You shouldn’t live for him."

Cindy, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly roared in anger, "Stella! Did a dog eat your conscience? He has loved you for so many years! Cherishing you like a treasure! Why wouldn’t you leave with him?"

"If not for you, how would he have become so crazy? He has... gone mad!"

Stella closed her eyes, and when she reopened them, there was an inextricable sadness in their depths.

"True love is not possession; he’s just too obsessive. I wish he had never met me, that way, he would still be the vibrant Andy Lockwood, not like this."

The anger on Cindy’s face gradually faded, replaced by a deep-seated sadness.

She murmured, "But he... will never give you up. If he had you, he would be so happy."

She spoke foolishly, endless sorrow pouring from her eyes.

Seeing her like this, Stella felt something stir inside her heart.

"Cindy, leave him. Go find your own life. He’s like a beautiful seven-color brocade, dazzling yet filled with poison. Such love is too dangerous, let go!"

Cindy’s eyes gradually reddened, mist forming at the bottom of her eyes.

She opened her mouth, but the word "Senior Sister" stuck in her throat, never coming out.

She sniffed, her voice noticeably nasal, and asked a completely unrelated question:

"If Aiden Fordham dies, will you die?"

"I will do everything I can to keep him alive. Even if it’s just for one more day."

Her tone carried no hesitation, decisive and firm.

Cindy fell silent.

She stared fixedly at Stella for a few seconds, then turned and walked away.

A few steps away, she stopped and left a message.

"The old man is safe and sound in Oakhaven."

After saying this, she quickly left, her figure soon disappearing around the bend of the mountain road.

Stella watched the direction where Cindy disappeared, feeling a myriad of emotions surge within her.

She slowly turned around and walked toward her master’s study not far away.

Pushing open that familiar wooden door, the scent of dust mixed with a faint ink fragrance wafted over her.

Episodes from the past flooded her mind like a tide.

Her master writing formulas for her, using a ruler to tap her palm when she was lazy...

Her eyes reddened uncontrollably, her vision gradually blurring.

Suddenly.

A spark of inspiration flashed in her mind, a phrase her master had once said in a teasing tone echoed clearly in her ears.

"You little girl, eating my Nine Days Warmth again! How many times have I told you, don’t treat it like candy! But then again, if even the seven-color brocade can’t poison you, then you’re practically a walking antidote warehouse!"

Seven-color brocade...

Antidote warehouse...

Stella’s heart gave a sudden jolt, as if struck fiercely by something!

All her despair and hopelessness were instantly replaced by a sliver of hope.

She turned swiftly and rushed out.

Returning to the villa, she hurriedly entered the laboratory at the fastest speed.

Using the Nine Days Warmth was meant to neutralize the poison of the seven-color brocade, preventing the user from being poisoned. The seven-color brocade has two components that can detoxify all poisons, which can quickly clear the neurotoxin in Aiden Fordham’s body, and there is no time to separate them now.

As long as the poison of the seven-color brocade can be neutralized, all the problems will be solved.

Stella took out a needle, quickly drew two tubes of blood, and placed them in an incubator.

"Stella." Aiden Fordham’s voice sounded from behind.

She was startled, quickly lowered her sleeve, without time to press the wound.

"What’s wrong? You look so pale."

She shook her head, "I’m just a bit tired. Why did you come over?"

"I came to get you, to go back and eat," he said, reaching to hold her hand.

She dodged slightly, her voice carrying a trace of panic, "Let me tidy up, wait for me outside for two minutes, okay?"

Aiden nodded and walked out.

Stella quickly pressed the wound, but the fresh blood had already stained her clothes red. She rapidly applied a band-aid, pressed for a while, and put on a coat, then headed outside.

Aiden held her hand as they walked out of the small building, and suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit him, making him stop.

When he opened his eyes again, the world before him turned pitch black.

He... couldn’t see.

"Stella." He called out nervously, gripping her hand tightly, causing her pain.