CHAPTER 217: CHAPTER 217: PROVING INNOCENCE THROUGH BLOOD DONATION

Juliana paused for a moment before slowly walking over.

"You saw me do it with your own eyes, so why didn’t you stop me?"

Leona Sheridan seemed prepared, speaking fluently, "I didn’t see it myself; it was the housemaid who saw. You were simply jealous of Jared protecting Florence last night and thus concocted this poisonous scheme to have Florence bitten by a snake at the Langley Residence. Firstly, to remove this ’love rival’ and firmly grasp onto Jared."

As Juliana listened, her brows unconsciously furrowed.

Seeing Leona’s serious storytelling manner, she almost wanted to call her ’Master’.

"... Secondly, to damage the relations between the Langley and Sinclair families, ensuring the Langley Family leaves no legacy, thus avenging me. Killing two birds with one stone, your heart is truly wicked!"

Adrian Langley, hearing this from the side, clenched his fists, white-knuckled, wishing he could tear the words from this woman’s mouth immediately.

But the time was not right, and he had to endure, also not able to openly speak for Juliana to avoid stirring up suspicion in Victor Langley, which would render the meticulous plans of recent days futile.

Jared, seeing his mother’s confident words, looked uncertainly at Juliana.

"Is it really related to you?"

Juliana met his gaze, finally no longer needing to hide the alienation in her eyes.

"If this is a trap set by your Langley Family, have I fallen into it with no hope of reprieve?"

Leona raised her head proudly, "The Langley Family is a place of reason. If you can prove the snake that appeared in Florence’s room at midnight wasn’t placed by you, the Langley Family won’t trouble you, but if you can’t provide evidence..."

She looked at Victor Langley, "Say something, how do you want to handle this?"

Victor Langley frowned, about to speak, when Elias Langley walked over, carrying a bag.

Inside the bag was a dead Silvercoil Viper.

"Is this a hospital, or a courthouse? Without knowing Florence’s condition inside, is my sister-in-law only concerned with removing a thorn from her side?"

Victor Langley, reminded by him, immediately realized that ensuring Florence Sinclair’s safety was the most important thing right now.

"Jared, go check on the situation inside once more."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the emergency room opened, and Florence Sinclair was wheeled out.

Her arms were tightly closed off and she was even wearing an oxygen mask.

The doctor who followed said, "The patient was poisoned for a long time, and although we’ve injected the appropriate antivenom, whether she recovers depends on her own condition. We’ve done our best, and now we need to move her to the intensive care unit for close observation."

This implied that whether Florence could escape danger remained unclear.

The group immediately followed the moving bed to the intensive care unit.

Victor Langley deliberately slowed his pace, walking shoulder to shoulder with Elias, speaking in a low voice, "If Florence Sinclair indeed has any mishaps this time, to calm the Sinclair Family’s wrath... I’m afraid we’d have to hand over Juliana."

No emotion showed on Elias Langley’s face, but his tone carried a cold sneer.

"The Langley Residence has indeed been lively lately. Medicines which shouldn’t appear are here, snakes that shouldn’t be are also here. If the ’mastermind’ isn’t found this time, we’re risking more than just losing face."

Victor Langley paused, "Your meaning is...?"

Elias handed him the bag.

"The Black Mamba that showed up last night isn’t even native to this country, and there wasn’t any stored antivenom in Kenton. The one in your hand is a Silvercoil Viper, potent but treatable with antivenom, not lethal."

His words hung in the air, then he walked into the hospital room.

Victor Langley looked down at the twisted snake corpse in the bag, frozen in place.

Florence being a valued guest of the Langleys couldn’t afford any mishaps.

After transferring Florence to the intensive care unit, the traditional medicine expert arranged by Jared arrived to diagnose her.

After taking her pulse, the conclusion was similar to that of the Western doctors, but he had a better solution.

"Ancient texts mention an herb called Golden Poria, which can cleanse organs and restore vitality. If administered, the chances of her waking up and recovering would be higher."

After saying this, the doctor left.

"Golden Poria? This herb is very difficult to obtain; even with a large sum, it would take a week to acquire."

Leona looked at the recently arrived Victor Langley, implying he should find a solution.

Yet Victor Langley looked at Jared, "I heard you obtained some?"

Jared’s complexion changed slightly, "I gave it to Juliana."

Leona’s face turned red with anger, "Such a precious item, you gave it to her—it’s like feeding it to a dog!"

Elias, leaning against the doorframe without lifting his eyelids, nonetheless picked up the conversation.

"The difference is, herb used on the right person is nourishing, but on the wrong person, it just stirs fire, causing sores and ulcers."

Leona’s face, yet to recover from the inflamed sores after consuming the old ginseng, now felt a burning heat.

Her expression turned from red to green, immediately targeting Juliana again.

"There’s talk in ancient texts of ’using blood to guide medicine.’ Since she consumed the Golden Poria, her blood must contain the essence of its properties. Why not use her blood to treat Florence!"

Adrian was shocked at her argument, unable to help but say, "There’s simply no scientific basis for this."

"This bastard, what right do you have to speak when I’m talking?" Leona shouted harshly.

Jared stood in silence for a moment, then actually walked toward Juliana, his tone heavy but with an unyielding ’righteousness.’

"The situation is special now, involving a life and the harmony of two families. I hope you can see the bigger picture and donate some blood because... it’s not just saving Florence, but a way to prove your innocence and maintain family stability."

Juliana looked at him as if seeing a second Evan Grant.

She raised an eyebrow, "If I don’t give her blood, it can’t prove my innocence, so you’re set to condemn me?"

"Juliana..."

Juliana raised her hand, signaling him to drop the grand ideals for a moment.

"When exactly did you give me the Golden Poria?" she asked.

Jared furrowed his brows, "I specifically watched the chef make a bowl of Heart Nourishing Soup and sent a servant to your room. You drank it all."

Leona’s face suddenly paled at that.

Juliana chuckled, "What you don’t know is that bowl of soup was snatched by your mother. Now, go and persuade your mother to donate some blood."

Jared couldn’t find words.

Leona was humiliated under everyone’s gaze.

Victor looked at her with even more disgust.

"Ridiculous! The matter of using blood as medicine is merely folk remedy lacking scientific basis. This topic is closed, but..."

He changed his tone, looking at Juliana, his gaze commanding no opposition.

"These snakes didn’t appear at the house without reason. Whoever’s behind this, you’re a suspect, so stay in the hospital room, and without permission, do not leave until Florence wakes, and the matter is fully investigated."

Juliana chuckled lightly at his words.

"I am not a member of the Langley Family; Chairman Langley has no authority over my comings and goings. My willingness to remain today as cooperation is a favor, not an obligation. Chairman Langley, being wise, knows that to have one willingly sheathe their wings temporarily, sincerity is required."

Victor’s eyes darkened slightly but nodded, "I understand your meaning. If this truly isn’t your doing, the Langley Family will remember this favor."

Elias concealed his expression and turned to leave.

...

Florence didn’t remain unconscious for long.

She awoke by the evening.

When Victor Langley arrived at the hospital as fast as he could, Elias was already there.

However, he was leaning against the windowsill, coldly watching Leona attentively solicit Florence, making no moves.

There was undissipated joy on Leona’s face, certain that Florence would soon identify Juliana as the culprit.

Moreover, she had bribed a house servant and even fabricated evidence.

When the time comes, with both testimonial and physical evidence against her, Juliana would be left speechless.

Victor approached the bed and asked gently, "Florence, do you know who placed the snake?"

Upon hearing the question, the pale-faced Florence turned her gaze to Juliana, the implication all too clear.

Juliana met her gaze, curling her lips into a slight smile.