Walter placed a hand over his heart, his expression a mixture of sincerity and hope. “Please, Dr. Tanner, if you could help us…”
Mr. Dean took a deep breath, his mind racing. Eleven million dollars. That was the equivalent of Jonford Hospital’s profits for an entire quarter.
By comparison, Dr. Tanner’s consultation fee was a mere 28,000 dollars. If he could earn eleven million, it would take about 390 transactions to match that sum.
Brian, equally stunned by the amount, mirrored Walter’s gesture, placing his hand over his heart. “I’ll inform him about this, but… don’t hold out too much hope.”
His grandmaster, a man with a cold, almost unreasonable temperament, wasn’t someone easily persuaded. Brian wasn’t sure if he could convince him.
Walter thought for a moment, then gave a resigned nod. “I’m sorry to trouble you, Dr. Tanner.”
At the Lewis Estate, the mood was grim. In the yard, two bodies lay side by side on stretchers—one of an adult in their 50s, the other of a young child no older than seven or eight.
Nash carefully examined the bodies, his heart sinking. The adult’s chest was caved in, the heart crushed beyond recognition. The child’s head was almost completely missing. Even the most skilled master couldn’t help them now.
Hera stood off to the side, her eyes cold with certainty. “Uncle must have given the order. He was worried Aunt Hannah would reveal something, so he silenced her.” Her voice was sharp, as though she already knew the truth.
She turned to Nash for confirmation, but he remained silent, his face unreadable. With a frustrated sigh, she walked over to her mother.
“Hera, you must be careful with your words!” an elderly man with white hair admonished. He was Charles Lewis, Herman’s cousin, and he was firmly on Hubert’s side due to Hubert’s connections with the Watson family.
Hera met his gaze, her eyes hard. “I ran into a group of hitmen on my way home yesterday. If it weren’t for Nash, you wouldn’t even see me now!”
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
Lauren and Harrison froze, their eyes wide with shock.
Harrison’s voice was tight with panic. “Hera… why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
It all made sense now—the delay in Hera’s return the night before. She’d been ambushed by hitmen. But who had sent them?
Hera hesitated, her face pale as the memory of yesterday’s events washed over her. “I didn’t want to worry you…”
Cain, standing off to the side with his usual calm demeanor, spoke up, his voice measured. “Is this connected to your grandfather’s poisoning?”
His tone suggested he wasn’t truly concerned about Hera’s safety, more intrigued by the connection.
“Of course, it’s related!” Hera replied, her frustration rising. “I saw Uncle’s surprise when I came back yesterday—he was shocked I was still alive. He must have hired those men.”
Cain stroked his snow-white goatee, his eyes narrowing with amusement. “Do you have any evidence?”
Hera’s eyes flashed. “Both Skadi and Nash can testify!”
Cain smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Skadi is your best friend, and Nash is your fiancé. You’re both clearly fabricating a story to slander Hubert. You’re just trying to claim all the family assets, aren’t you?”
“That’s not true!” Hera shot back, her voice trembling with frustration. “There really were hitmen! You don’t believe me?”
She looked to Nash for support, hoping he would back her up. But Nash remained silent, his gaze distant and unfocused.
Hera’s patience finally snapped. “Nash, say something!”
Nash turned to her, his response slow and measured. “What do you want me to say?”
Hera’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Didn’t we run into hitmen yesterday? Didn’t you take them all out?”
Nash nodded casually. “I think so…”
His indifferent response left Hera stunned, speechless.
Cain’s laughter rang out, sharp and mocking. “So you haven’t even discussed your little ‘story’ yet? Are you two planning to go back and agree on how to frame Hubert? Is that it?”
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