Poisoned
983 Words
Chapter Six
The next morning, Lena finished her breakfast and went to sit with her grandmother.
Although the old lady lived in a small house at the back of the estate, the space was far from cramped. The layout was beautiful and elegant, with antique furniture and the faint scent of incense lingering in the air. Lena's room was right next door, close enough that she could hear her grandmother if she called in the night.
As they chatted, Lena noticed something unsettling.
Her grandmother kept coughing.
It wasn't violent, but it was persistent, deep, restrained coughs that she clearly tried to suppress. Lena's brows knitted together in concern.
"Grandma," she asked softly, "are you feeling alright?"
The old lady took her medicine and smiled faintly.
" I'm old, my dear. At my age, there are always aches and pains. "She sighed, her gaze distant. " I probably don't have much time left. I wonder... will i live long enough to see you get married?"
Her words made Lena's heart tighten.
The old lady continued, bringing up the arranged marriage. " Your mother passed away early, but she was the one who arranged your engagement with the Thompson Family. They are one of the most prestigious family in Brightfall City. If you marry into that household, you'll never lack for anything." she paused, then sigh again. " I just don't know whether the Thompsons will still honor the arrangement."
Lena's finger curled slightly.
Evan.
In her past life, she had been blind – fooled by his gentle appearance and tragic story. She had healed his crippled legs, used her medical skils to help him build influence, and never realized that she was nothing more than a stepping stone for his rise.
Seeing the crease in Lena's brows, her grandmother misunderstood. She reached out and patted her hand reassuringly. " Don't worry, dear. Even if it costs me everything, I'll make sure this marriage goes through for you."
Lena felt a sharp ache in her chest.
She had no desire to marry into the Thompson Family. But her grandmother's determination, to sacrifice everything just to secure her future, made her eyes sting.
She couldn't lose her.
If her memory was correct, in her previous life, her grandmother had passed away two months after Lena returned to Brightfall City. Back then, Lena had felt something was wrong, but she trusted Marilyn too much to ever suspect foul play.
Now, a chilling thought surfaced.
What if Grandma didn't die naturally at all?
Her father was selfish and Indifferent, but he was deeply devoted to the old lady. He wouldn't harm her.
That only left one person.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Lena suddenly clapped her hands lightly and smiled. " Grandma, let's not talk about sad things. When I was in the countryside,I learned a bit of medicine from a very skilled doctor. How about I check your pulse?"
The old lady exchanged an amused glance with her maid, Ms Green, then chuckled. " Alright, go ahead. Let's see how many years I have left."
Clearly, she thought Lena was just indulging in childish curiosity.
Lena inhaled quietly, took her grandmother's wrist, and place her fingers carefully on the pulse point. Her expression turned serious as she closed her eyes and focused.
Then–
Her eyes flew open.
Her heart skipped violently.
This wasn't illness.
It was poison.
Not something that acted immediately, but a slow, insidious toxin that weakened the body over time-perfectly disguised as the decline of old age.
In her past life, she had sensed something was wrong but never dug deeper. Now, the truth hit her like ice water.
Her grandmother had been poisoned for a long time.
"What is it?" the old lady asked, noticing the change in Lena's expression. She coughed lightly again. "Did you feel something?"
Lena forced herself to calm down. This wasn't the time.
If she accused Marilyn now, no one would believe her. The family doctor had clearly chosen silence. Exposing this rashly would only put herself in danger-and might even hasten her grandmother's death.
She quickly softened her expression, scratching her head sheepishly. "I'm not very skilled yet, so I didn't notice anything unusual. But your pulse is strong, Grandma. I think you'll live another fifty years!"
The old lady laughed. "Another fifty years? I'd turn into an old monster by then."
Despite her words, the smile in her eyes betrayed her happiness. No matter how much the elderly spoke of death, they feared it all the same.
Lena stayed by her side, smiling sweetly, every bit the harmless and naive granddaughter.
That evening, Master Alexander was away on a business trip, so he didn't return for dinner. The old lady arrived last at the dining table, an invitation held in her hand.
Marilyn noticed the distinctive seal instantly.
Her pupils shrank-but she quickly masked her reaction and asked with feigned curiosity, "Mom, what's that?"
The old lady placed the invitation on the table. "An invitation from the Thompson Family. Tomorrow is Old Madam Thompson's eightieth birthday. I'll be taking Lena with me." Her gaze shifted briefly. "You and Mira will come as well."
Marilyn's fingers tightened around her chopsticks.
Old Madam Thompson's birthday... and bringing Lena?
A cold realization hit her.
Was the old lady planning to use the banquet to officially acknowledge Lena's engagement?
The thought made Marilyn's chest tighten with panic.
No!
This marriage could not fall into Lena's hands.
Across the table, Lena noticed Marilyn's stiff posture and restless eyes. She lowered her gaze calmly, eating as if nothing mattered-but her mind was already racing.
In her previous life, she hadn't even been allowed to attend this banquet. The old lady had believed Mira was more suitable for the Thompson Family.
But now-
She had returned for revenge.
And this birthday banquet was her first step back onto the stage.
- Writer
