Chapter 36 Poisoned
Declan paused, processing what he’d just heard. ‘It actually makes sense, he thought.
At first, he’d been thrilled to find that Celeste shared his interest in the Nocturne Alliance.
But now, after Isolde’s comments, his enthusiasm was turning to anger. ‘Celeste actually lied to me just to get on my good side! I can’t stand being lied to, he thought.
He clenched his phone tightly, his voice sharp. “I’m going to confront her about this!”
Isolde quickly reached out, grabbing his arm to stop Declan, who lost his temper. “Declan, don’t go looking for trouble with Celeste. All I said was just a suspicion, with no real evidence.
“If you confront her and she finds out I told you this, she’ll be furious with me. She might even push Mom and Dad to kick me out of the Huxley family.”
Declan’s face hardened, and he scoffed. “She wouldn’t dare.” His irritation with Celeste, fueled by Isolde’s words, reached a peak. “No matter what, you’ll always be my only sister Celeste can forget about taking that place.”
Isolde’s smile was sweet but triumphant. “Don’t talk about her like that, Declan. You’ll only upset her if she hears.”
“I don’t care her. Since you don’t want me to confront her, I won’t,” Declan grumbled, rolling his eyes. “But once I find evidence of her deception, I’ll make sure everyone sees her true colors.”
He spun on his heel and left, leaving Isolde smirking behind him.
She thought, feeling secure. ‘As long as Declan, the Huxley heir, stands by my side, my position is safe. Celeste’s return won’t change a thing.
Fresh from her shower, Celeste settled on the couch in her pajamas, answering a video call from Logan.
“Logan,” she greeted him.
He studied her masked face through the screen. “Are you doing well at your home?”
Celeste laughed lightly. “I’m doing just fine.”
Logan chuckled. “You’re wearing that mask, so I can’t tell. Maybe take it off so I can see for myself that you’re truly alright.”
Celeste hadn’t shown Logan her face since her recovery. Smiling, she teased, “Aren’t you worried my face might scare you?”
He smiled knowingly. “Of course not.”
‘She didn’t know I’d already seen her face by chance, Logan thought.
Celeste slowly removed the mask, revealing her fresh, unblemished face. “Well, Logan, here I am.”
Logan’s expression softened. “You look as lovely as always.”
He remembered seeing her as a child when she’d first been brought home.
Even back then, he’d thought she was striking, and now, she was even more beautiful.
He kept his deeper feelings carefully hidden.
Surprised by Logan’s calm reaction, Celeste tilted her head. “Aren’t you curious about when my face healed?”
Logan’s smile was subtle. “Not really. I’ve known for a while. I was just waiting for you to tell me.”
His voice grew softer. “Tell me, Celeste, do you truly see me as your brother?”
“Of course!” she replied with a smile.
She hadn’t told him about her recovery to avoid his questions about how it happened, fearing he’d connect it to her identity as King.
Despite her respect for Logan, there were still things she wanted to keep private.
She only wanted to be his sister, someone he could protect.
Only then could Logan feel needed, otherwise, he’d slip back into doubting himself, falling into that familiar depression all
over again.
Seeing Logan’s sudden silence, she raised a brow. “Why so quiet? Are you mad that I didn’t tell you sooner?”
He stayed silent because, at that moment, he felt a sudden urge to tell Celeste that he liked her.
Logan snapped out of his thoughts, shaking his head with a reassuring smile. “I could never be mad at you. But it’s late. Get some rest, I need to get back to work.”
Celeste nodded, reminding him to take care of himself before ending the call.
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Chapter 36 Poisoned
She put her mask aside and lay down, hoping for sleep. But just as she was drifting off, her phone rang.
She sighed, answered, and murmured, “Mr. Hale, it’s late. What’s going on?”
A loud clatter came from the other end, as though his phone had hit the floor.
Celeste frowned, concern flashing across her face. “Mr. Hale? Are you alright?”
There was still no response, but she thought she heard a faint, pained sound. ‘He is in trouble, she thought.
Her heart pounding, she quickly dialed Wesley. “Wesley, please check on Marcus‘ condition right away.”
After the call, she grabbed her mask and car keys and rushed to the hospital.
When she arrived, Wesley was just helping Marcus back to his room after an emergency stomach pump.
Seeing Marcus‘ pale face, she whispered urgently, “What happened to him?”
Wesley sighed. “Food poisoning.”
Celeste’s mind reeled, ‘Maybe it was the food I brought him.‘
She searched the room, inspecting the leftover food in the trash. She sniffed the containers–everything seemed normal. But the minestrone was gone.
‘So the reason is minestrone, she thought.
Her heart tightened as she took his pulse, feeling the faint beat beneath her fingers. “He’s barely hanging on. Whoever did this wanted him dead.”
She didn’t know who would go this far. She turned to Wesley, saying, “Go get some rest. I’ll stay and look after Marcus.” Wesley, studying her face without its usual mask, suddenly had a flash of recognition.
He narrowed his eyes. “You’re… Dr. King, aren’t you?”
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