Chapter 57 The Poison Flares
Finished
She was clearly a protective sister–there wasn’t the slightest trace of the arrogance people described her with online.
“I’m still tied up at the moment,” Gabrielle said quietly. “But when I get a chance, I’ll take you out to eat.”
Hearing that Gabrielle was busy. Nadia didn’t press the conversation. “All right, just text me when you’re free. I’ll hang up
now.
As the call ended, Gabrielle immediately got back to working on the medicinal herbs. She picked up a nearby bottle, peeled off the sigil paper stuck to it, and mixed the herbs with a snake’s gallbladder.
Once the gall was fully coated with the powder, she stood and grabbed a container of cinnabar from the side. With a practiced hand, she drew a circle in the air and marked the sigil with a series of characters. “Rise, she murmured.
In an instant, the vial containing the snake gall and herbs floated up and was consumed by a sudden flame, ignited from the sigil paper. It burned steadily, the smell of strong medicine thick in the air.
The process lasted for half an hour. Suddenly, a bottle hit the floor with a sharp clatter. Gabrielle reacted immediately. snatching it up with a reverse grip before it hit again.
She looked at the pill that had formed inside. With that, she turned and walked away.
“Mrs. Zechman, Charles was waiting outside, clearly anxious. The moment she stepped out, he approached her quietly and asked. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Gabrielle glanced at him, noticing how eager he looked. “Did you go for the CT scan?” she asked, her expression a mix of humor and seriousness.
Rubbing his head sheepishly, Charles quickly pulled out the scan results. There was a bit of excitement in his voice as he said, “You were right, I went in and turns out I do have kidney stones. But the doctor said they’re all tiny ones, scattered all over, so they’re tough to treat. He’s worried they’ll just keep coming back even after laser removal.”
It was terrifying news.
When he first got the results, Charles was stunned. If it hadn’t been for Gabrielle’s warning, he would’ve kept putting it off. Those tiny stones would’ve grown larger over time, putting pressure on his kidney. Left untreated, it could’ve cost him hist life
“Don’t worry, I’ll make some medicine for you tomorrow. Take it for a few days, and you’ll be fine,” Gabrielle said softly.
Charles looked at her, momentarily at a loss. “Really? Thank you, Mrs. Zechman.” His eyes lit up with emotion.
After what the doctor had told him, and thinking about his age–how hard it would be to deal with this kind of pain and sickness–he’d nearly broken down. Kidney and gallstones were notoriously tough to handle.
Some people were lucky and needed only one laser treatment. Others weren’t so fortunate–going through repeated surgeries that damaged their health further each time.
“Come see me tomorrow afternoon, Gabrielle told him.
She turned and walked toward Jonathan’s room. Just as she reached up to knock, the door creaked open slightly–he’d left it ajar, as if inviting her in.
“Jonathan,” she called gently.
From inside the bathroom, she heard a faint, muffled groan. His voice was low and rough, clearly straining to contain something. The sound became clearer as she stepped closer.
Gabrielle pushed open the door and saw Jonathan’s tall figure hunched over the sink. His arms were braced against the counter, veins bulging from the tension in his forearms,
He was clearly trying to suppress the
pain.
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Chapter 57 The Poison Flares.
sliding from the glass and dripping onto his strong, calloused hand. The stark red against his pale skin was striking.
Finished
Jonathan lifted his head and saw Gabrielle’s reflection in the mirror. He turned sharply toward the door, only to find she was already inside, standing right next to him.
In a rush, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Despite the agony, he steadied his voice and spoke in a gentle tone, his dark eyes squinting slightly. “How’d you get here so early?” he asked, voice hoarse.
It was only ten o’clock. There was still an hour to go.
Gabrielle frowned, gripping his arm to steady him as she turned his towering frame toward her. Beneath his skin, she could see the poison writhing, moving restlessly–signs that the poison was fully activated.
“Why didn’t you come to me the moment the poison started acting up?” she asked, her voice full of concern.
She couldn’t understand how someone could stay so composed while enduring something like this. Anyone else would’ve been on the floor by now, screaming or worse–losing their mind entirely. But not him.
After years of practicing medicine, she had never met anyone with a higher pain tolerance.
“You said eleven. I didn’t want to bother you, Jonathan rasped.
Even as he spoke, more blood welled up in his throat. He tried to swallow it back, but another red stream escaped the corner of his lips.
Behind them, Charles had arrived just in time to see everything, his face going pale. “Mr. Zechman!” he shouted, rushing
over.
He’d known Jonathan was dancing with death, had seen him suffer before–but watching him like this still tore at his heart. He’d watched Jonathan grow up. Blood or not, the man was family.
“Charles, run the water, Gabrielle said calmly.
Charles froze for a second before snapping out of it. He rushed to the bathtub and turned on the faucet, water pouring in.
Gabrielle took the medicine she’d prepared and placed it gently into Jonathan’s mouth. The bitter taste spread immediately, making him frown, but he still forced it down.
Right after he swallowed, Gabrielle pressed a hand to his chest and struck firmly.
“P” Another surge of blood erupted from his mouth.
She steadied him, guiding him into the tub. His large body slumped in, sending water splashing over the sides and soaking her lounge pants.
Holding him up, Gabrielle ran her fingers along his arm and then jabbed a spot near his neck, making a deliberate incision.
When the blood began to flow,
let Jonathan’s blood spill like that.
arles’s eyes widened. He hesitated, lips parted in surprise. He hadn’t expected Gabrielle to
“If you trust me, then go,” she said, knowing exactly what Charles was thinking.
He clenched his fists, standing frozen for a moment, then quickly turned and left. Just before the door shut, he caught a glimpse of the water in the tub–now a deep crimson.
His eyes burned red as tears welled up. He stood outside the door, motionless, like a statue. The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air. “Mr. Zechman, please hang in there,” he whispered, shutting his eyes tight. “God, I’m begging you, keep him
safe
