Chapter 11 I Can Cure You

Chapter 11 I Can Cure You

+10 Free Coins

Sloane’s presence shifted in an instant. The slyness she’d shown just moments ago vanishedpletely. In its ce was something sharp, ruthless, and decisive–as if she had be someone else entirely.

She half–knelt over Lucas, one hand mped tightly around his neck. A needle glinted coldly in the dim light, protruding from her ring and resting precisely against his carotid artery. One slight movement, and the oue would be disastrous.

Andrew caught sight of the needle just in time. He pulled back and rolled to the side, springing to his feet and locking his gaze on Sloane. His fists clenched, every muscle tense as he fought the urge to rush at her.

His

eyes narrowed into dangerous slits as he spoke in a low, cold voice. “Ms. Rivers, you must be joking. Even if not for your own sake, you wouldn’t risk harming Mr. Hawthorne–for the sake of the entire Rivers family.”

“Oh? You know who I am?” Sloane blinked in mock surprise, her threatening aura dissolving as she slipped back into the role of a harmless young woman.

She turned to Lucas and offered a sweet smile. “Lucas, how about a deal? I’ll let you go, and you tell him not to yell. We’ll talk things through, nice and calm.”

Lucas looked at her with unshaken calm, as if he didn’t care that she still had the upper hand. His voice was a little weak but steady. “Alright.”

Sloane’s lips curled into a wide grin. She let him go without hesitation.

She sat cross–legged beside him and made no move to leave.

Andrew kept a close ieye /ion her, still on high alert, but held back for now at Lucas‘ silentmand.

Sloane rested her chin in one hand and tapped her cheek with a finger. She tilted

flicking smartly. “You called him back, didn’t you?” her head toward Lucas,

eyes

She must’ve been hiding under the covers when Lucas gave Andrew the signal to

return.

[11

O

r

15:05 Mon, 1 Sept A

Chapter 11 I Can Cure You

884%

+10 Free Coins

Lucas didn’t confirm or deny it. He simply nced at her–an indifferent look that seemed to see straight through her, yet gave nothing away.

He let out a soft cough and said calmly, “Ms. Rivers, you barged into my room and held me at knifepoint. Aren’t you afraid you won’t make it out alive?”

Though his voice still carried weakness, the authority behind it never wavered. No one could take him lightly.

Sloane didn’t take offense. She blinked and smiled. “I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

Andrew scoffed under his breath. He didn’t see any sign she’d been forced.

Sloane didn’t bother arguing. She got straight to the point. “You’ve been poisoned. I can cure you.”

Andrew took a sharp step forward, unable to hide the surge of hope in his voice. “Are you serious?” His tone trembled with excitement and anticipation.

So far, only three people had figured out Lucas had been poisoned, rather than stricken with some strange illness.

Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face—but it vanished quickly, reced by that same unreadable calm.

He studied Sloane in silence for a moment before speaking in a quiet, even tone. “Ms. Rivers, you expect me to believe you with nothing to back it up?”

Sloane raised one finger and pressed it gently to his lips. “I just saved your life. Don’t forget that.”

Lucas remembered the kiss that had jolted him awake. He could still taste the faint tang of blood on his tongue.

Sloane smiled, a hint of smugness in her eyes. “If I hadn’t given you my blood, you’d be dead right now. Isn’t that proof enough of my sincerity?”

Lucas‘ gaze flickered. “You mean your blood saved me?”

“Of course not,” Sloane rolled her eyes. “The poison in your body is a mix of more than a dozen toxins. It’s been in your system for a while now–eating away at your energy channels. Tell me, before you passed out, did your whole body feel like it

111

Chapter 11 I Can Cure You

+10 Free Coins

was crawling with ants? Painful, especially at night, right? It feels iso /ibad that you couldn’t sleep. Am I right?”

0

i

111