Chapter 237 Aconite

Chapter 237: Chapter 237 Aconite

Her heart sank in her chest. It was really aconite, a poison so deadly, that its toxic compounds could severely disrupt the heart and nervous system.

And the symptoms before her were unmistakably familiar.

"Grandpa was poisoned with aconite," Laurel said, her voice carrying sudden certainty.

The doctor looked startled. "Commander, are you certain?"

Laurel nodded. "The pulse abnormalities, his sudden collapse and the progression of his symptoms are consistent with aconite poisoning. Run the appropriate toxicology tests and check his cardiac function again. I want to know how much damage he had suffered."

The doctor immediately instructed the nurse to prepare the necessary examinations.

Laurel returned her attention to Grandpa Wayne, her brows furrowed as confusion marred her face. Who could be so cruel?

She thought of how Margaret had assumed control of the fortress after his collapse, how Enzo had been accused, and how Stefan and Ida had suffered because of Margaret’s decisions.

Anger rose in her chest as unease crept in her heart. ’It can’t be...’ she thought inwardly, afraid to come to the obvious conclusion.

"Margaret," Ling Xuan remarked coldly inside her mind. "That woman has been causing trouble from the beginning."

Laurel’s fingers tightened around Grandpa Wayne’s hand. "I know," she replied inwardly. "But I need evidence before accusing her."

Ling Xuan scoffed. "Evidence? Look at what happened while you were away. She took control, imprisoned your people and nearly executed Enzo to death. Do you honestly believe all of that was a coincidence?"

Laurel didn’t answer immediately. She was angry, but anger couldn’t become an excuse to abandon reason.

If Margaret is responsible, I won’t forgive her. But Grandpa needs me more than my anger does.

She carefully released his hand and stood. "Luo, I need the medicinal herbs from my farming space," Laurel instructed inwardly. "Prepare the materials suitable for treating aconite poisoning and supporting his recovery."

[Understood, Host.]

A translucent interface appeared before her, displaying the available medicinal plants.

Laurel studied the options, drawing on her knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine. She understood the properties of each herb, how they interacted and which preparations could support Grandpa Wayne’s weakened body.

However, his condition had deteriorated too far for ordinary medicine alone.

I’ll need to use my healing ability.

The doctor returned with the preliminary examination results. "Commander, his heart is under considerable strain," he reported. "The toxicology findings also support your diagnosis."

Laurel nodded. "Continue monitoring his heart and breathing. Prepare the supportive treatment and the medicinal formula I’ve specified," she instructed. "I’ll handle the remaining poison."

The doctor hesitated, but the confidence in her expression prevented him from questioning her further.

Laurel sat beside Grandpa Wayne and placed her palm gently against his chest. Warm energy began gathering beneath her skin. She closed her eyes, concentrating as her healing ability entered his body.

Almost immediately, she sensed the damage the poison had caused. His heart was struggling, and the toxic substance had spread throughout his system.

Laurel’s expression turned to that of pity.She felt a sudden ache in her chest.

While she had been fighting to rescue the children, Grandpa Wayne had been lying here, unable to defend himself. She had entrusted the fortress to him, only for someone close to him to betray him.

The thought made her furious. "Hold on, Grandpa," Laurel whispered, increasing the flow of healing energy. "I’m not going to let you die like this."

Her healing ability spread through his body, repairing damaged tissues while she concentrated on drawing the poisonous substance away from his organs.

The process required extraordinary precision. She couldn’t simply overwhelm his body with energy. His heart was already weak, and forcing the poison out too aggressively could worsen his condition.

Laurel carefully guided the healing energy, protecting his heart and other vital organs while removing the remaining toxin.

Beads of sweat formed along her forehead. Almost there...

Then, the monitor suddenly sounded an alarm, it sharp blaring sound cutting through the room.

"Commander!" the nurse exclaimed. "His heartbeat is becoming irregular!"

Laurel’s eyes flew open. "Prepare to manage the arrhythmia," she instructed the doctor, keeping her palm against Grandpa Wayne’s chest. "Don’t interrupt the monitoring."

The doctor hurried, obeying her command.

Laurel gritted her teeth and directed more healing energy towards his heart, stabilizing the damaged tissues while continuing to isolate the poison.

A sharp wave of dizziness struck her. She had already exhausted herself treating Jack and Ida, and the strain was becoming increasingly difficult to bear.

"Laurel, stop," Ling Xuan warned. "You’re going to collapse."

"Not yet," Laurel answered inwardly.

"You’ve already done enough!"

"No," Laurel insisted, her thoughts trembling with desperation. "Not while the poison is still inside him."

For an instant, she remembered Grandpa Wayne sitting at the dining table, his stern expression softening whenever Tina approached him. She remembered his voice, his stubborn pride and the way he insisted on protecting the Wayne family’s name.

She gathered the remaining strength within her and pushed her healing ability deeper. Gradually, the harmful substance began separating from his bloodstream under the influence of her energy.

"Luo, help me monitor the toxin," she requested inwardly.

[Residual toxin concentration decreasing, Host.]

Laurel exhaled shakily. She continued directing the poison towards the body’s elimination pathways while her healing energy protected his organs. The medicinal treatment supported his recovery, and the medical equipment allowed her to monitor his condition throughout the process.

Minutes passed. Then the monitor’s rhythm became steadier.

"His heartbeat is stabilizing!" the doctor announced, his voice filled with astonishment.

Laurel barely heard him. Her entire attention remained fixed on Grandpa Wayne.

When the system finally confirmed that the remaining toxin had fallen to a negligible level, she withdrew her hand.

[Poison elimination successful. Damaged tissues undergoing recovery.]

Laurel slumped backwards in her chair, breathing heavily. Her hands trembled, and her vision blurred briefly.

But Grandpa Wayne was alive. She reached for his hand again, holding it between both of hers.

"Grandpa Wayne," she whispered, her eyes becoming moist, "you frightened me."

A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it. She quickly wiped it away, almost embarrassed by her own reaction.

Why am I crying?

Perhaps because she had already watched too many people die in her previous life. Perhaps because she knew how easily a family could become a place of betrayal instead of safety.

Or perhaps, despite everything, she had come to care about this stubborn old man more than she realized. She gently squeezed his hand.

The doctor approached with the updated results. "Commander, his condition has improved remarkably," he reported. "The toxin concentration has fallen significantly, and his cardiac function is recovering."

Laurel nodded. "Continue monitoring him. His body still needs time to recover from the damage," she instructed. "And preserve every medical record. I also want the evidence collected from the commander’s office, especially the tea he drank."

The doctor hesitated. "Madam Margaret’s people handled the investigation," he explained. "She also instructed us to avoid further procedures unless absolutely necessary."

Laurel’s expression changed. "She restricted his treatment?"

The doctor nodded uneasily.

Laurel looked back at Grandpa Wayne, and the warmth she had felt moments earlier was replaced by cold anger.

"I want every document connected to his treatment." She said.

The doctor immediately agreed.

Meanwhile outside the ward, Vera stood frozen near the doorway. She had come to see Grandpa Wayne, but hearing Laurel’s voice made her hesitate.

What if she finds out?

She remembered Margaret’s proposal to put their grandfather into a prolonged sleep so they could take control of the fortress.

At the time, Vera had convinced herself that nothing truly terrible would happen. But Grandpa Wayne had nearly died.

I knew what they were planning. I could have stopped them.

The door opened. Laurel stepped into the corridor, looking exhausted.

"Vera?" she asked, noticing the younger woman’s pale face. "Are you here to see Grandpa?"

Vera nodded nervously. "How is he?" she whispered.

"He’s improving," Laurel answered. "I’ve removed the poison. He should regain consciousness once his body recovers."

Vera’s eyes widened. "He’s going to wake up?"

Laurel studied her reaction. "Yes," she replied slowly. "Do you hope otherwise?"

Vera’s lips parted, but her voice failed her. For the first time, she understood that their secret might not remain buried much longer.