Chapter 669: Vomited Black Blood
The message had just been sent when a voice note arrived from Walker. She tapped it open, and the man’s deep, magnetic voice came through, soft and gentle.
"Chloe, did that scare you?"
’What’s with that tone? He sounds like he’s coaxing a child.’
Chloe simply turned off her phone, not bothering to reply.
Downstairs.
Nathaniel Monroe was on a video call with Walker Grant.
In the middle of their call, Walker suddenly hung up. Just as Nathaniel was wondering why, Walker called back.
Nathaniel asked in confusion, "Walker, what were you doing just now?"
Walker’s tone was flat. "None of your business."
Nathaniel said, "...Anyway, that’s the gist of what happened today. You wanted that old fox, Lucas Shaw, to investigate Fiona Linton, but I think she’s telling the truth. I doubt she’d lie to us."
Walker said flatly, "And what about your performance today? Why don’t you mention that?"
Hearing this, Nathaniel instantly bristled. "Who? Who told you?"
Walker scoffed. "Nathaniel, you’re not composed at all. You panic at the slightest thing and act without thinking of the consequences. How can I trust you to find Iris?"
At his words, Nathaniel’s expression froze. After a long moment, he finally said, "Walker, I’m just getting desperate. I’m serious. Every night, I dream about her being taken from our wedding. I’ve almost caught her countless times, but I always fall just short..."
His voice was laced with anguish. "I’m just so desperate."
"But what’s the use of being desperate when we can’t find her? You might as well use this time to settle down. Once you’ve truly matured, maybe there will be news of her. Then you can bring her right back," Walker said, ruthlessly pouring cold water on him.
Nathaniel’s voice was strained as he said, "I know."
"Be more composed. Don’t let me down." After saying his piece, Walker hung up the phone.
Nathaniel lay on his side, staring at the ceiling. After a long moment, he let out a heavy breath.
"..."
「The next morning.」
Chloe Reed opened her eyes, a sharp discomfort in her throat. She got up and went to the bathroom where, after a fit of dry heaves, she spat out a small amount of black blood.
Seeing this, she didn’t immediately flush the toilet. Instead, she went to find Fiona Linton.
She dragged Fiona Linton out of bed.
"What is it? What’s wrong?"
Fiona Linton was still groggy with sleep, only managing to ask what was happening when she was dragged into the room next door.
Chloe pulled her into the bathroom and pointed at the black blood in the toilet. Then, she pointed to her own throat, indicating that she had just coughed it up.
Fiona Linton yawned, then stared at Chloe’s face and said, "Open your mouth."
Chloe obediently opened her mouth. Traces of black blood still stained her teeth.
Next, Fiona took her pulse. Her eyes were closed and her head bobbed, making it look like she was about to doze off.
Chloe pursed her lips, starting to feel anxious.
’Fiona isn’t going to fall asleep just like that, is she?’
’Should I try to wake her?’
Just as she was hesitating, Fiona released her wrist and took hold of the other one.
After a moment, she said, "It’s fine. Some of the poison has been cleared out. Try to see if you can speak."
Chloe stared at her, stunned. She never expected it to work so quickly. She immediately tried to speak.
But the sound that came out was still horrific, like the sound of her vocal cords being ripped apart. She couldn’t even form a single word.
Chloe’s expression went blank, the disappointment in her eyes plain to see.
’I still can’t speak...’