Not A Small-Town Girl

----

Jason and Orion exchanged a glance, then relented. "We

don’t usually communicate with outsiders, but you’re

welcome to come anytime."

"Since you’re so sincere, let me add something. Young

man, you’re poisoned too."

Jason turned to look at David, eyes widening in surprise.

"But fortunately you met me. This

isn’t a deadhpoison like Luna Stalk,

but it willslowly wear down your ¢~

body andéventually cause organ

failuredit’s hard to detect, but dAce

you@ been exposed, it can O

ually build up."

----

David’s eyes were as cold and still as a deep pool, sending

a chill down their spines.

“How long has he been poisoned?" Danielle asked sharply,

suddenly realizing her carelessness.

“About two months. If we’d discovered it later, he might’ve

already been in serious danger,” Jason replied with a grin.

"Do you have a cure for it?” Vivian asked gently, her voice

tinged with worry. First Danielle, now David... it seemed like

they were all tied up with poison.

“| can help. Compared to Luna Stalk, this is nothing. I’ll

write a prescription. Just follow it for a week, and he’ll be

fine.”

Jason grabbed a pen and paper and scribbled down a long

list of ingredients, handing it to David.

Nathan took the prescription, his expression hardening. A

month ago, no one at Nathor Palace would have dared

poison his boss. Whoever did this would pay dearly.

----

Danielle reached into her bag and tossed a small porcelain

bottle to Jason.

“What’s this?" he asked, catching it.

“Thank you for helping him. This is a medicine that can

suppress Luna Stalk. | think you might be interested in it."

----

Jason’s eyes gleamed, as if he’d found treasure. He quickly

stuffed the bottle into his pocket. "How could | possibly

accept this?"

Danielle smirked to herself, thinking, "Sure, take it. It’s not

like you’re pretending to be some big shot."

“You’re not getting it back, are you?” Jason hurriedly

clasped his pocket.

“Let’s go, Danielle," David urged, gently guiding her away.

“Alright.”

----

At St. Katherine’s hospital, outside

the operating-voom, Jaden hadn’t

even changed his clothes. After Oo

returningdrom Blackpool Village he

rushed straight to the hospital, Gill

dressed in his black suit, whigh was

waidkled and stained with blood

ffém Xavier.

----

Matthew sat in a chair, looking pale, his eyes fixed on the

operating room doors.

At that moment, Joseph and Elliot hurried over to greet

Jaden. "Mr. Johnson, thank you for your trouble. You can

go rest now," Joseph said.

Jaden shook his head, still staring at the door. "I’ll wait until

the surgery is over."

Joseph didn’t argue, but walked over to Matthew. "Matthew,

what happened?"

----

Matthew’s-eyes shifted slowly to

Joseph atid Elliot. His voice wasc

faint. "Xavier got injured. Danielle is

poisoried. It’s all my fault. If they

hadett come looking for me,@one of

this: would have happened

Elliot quickly stepped in, trying to reassure him. "Don’t

blame yourself. We’re a family. No one is to blame."