Chapter 17

Walter placed a hand over his heart. Mr. Dean inhaled deeply. Eleven million dollars. That was equivalent to Jonford Hospital's quarterly profits. Dr. Tanner's consultation fee was just over twenty-eight thousand dollars. If he earned eleven million, that represented roughly three hundred and ninety consultations.

Brian mirrored Walter's gesture, saying, "I'll inform him, but don't expect a miracle…" His grandmaster possessed a cold, somewhat unreasonable temperament, making persuasion seem unlikely. Walter pictured the centenarian, who could only nod with a wry smile. "I'm sorry to trouble you, Dr. Tanner…"

At the Lewis Estate, family members gathered in the yard. Two bodies, one adult and one child, lay on stretchers. The adult appeared to be in their fifties; the child, seven or eight years old. After examining them, Nash sighed inwardly. The adult's chest was caved in, their heart crushed. Half of the child's head was missing; even a master healer couldn't have saved them.

"Uncle must have ordered it! He feared Aunt Hannah would reveal something, so he silenced her!" Hera declared, her expression frigid. She sought confirmation from Nash. His silence left her no choice but to approach her mother's body.

"Hera, control yourself! Hubert is Herman's son. How could he harm his own father?" an elderly man with white hair—Herman's cousin, Charles Lewis—interjected. Given Hubert's relationship with the Watsons, Charles naturally sided with him.

Hera scoffed. "I encountered assassins on my way home yesterday. If not for Nash, I wouldn't be here!" She hadn't wanted to discuss this, but felt compelled to expose her uncle.

Lauren and Harrison's eyes widened. Harrison panicked. "Hera… why didn't you tell us sooner?" Hera's delayed arrival now made sense.

Who had sent the assassins? A little frightened, Hera reflected on the previous day. "I didn't want you to worry…"

"Is this connected to Grandfather's poisoning?" Cain asked calmly, his lack of concern for Hera's safety evident.

"Of course. Uncle's surprise at my return yesterday—his astonishment that I survived—proves he hired them," Hera stated, her gaze unwavering.

Cain stroked his white goatee, a smile playing on his lips. "Evidence?"

"Skadi and Nash can testify!"

Cain laughed. "Skadi's your best friend, Nash your fiancé. You concocted this lie to smear Hubert, to seize the family assets, isn't that right?"

"That's not true…" Hera insisted anxiously. "There were assassins…" She looked again at Nash, who remained silent. Angrily, she pressed him. "Nash, say something…"

"What can I say?"

"We encountered assassins yesterday! You fought them off!"

"I think so," Nash replied, nodding.

Her jaw dropped. "I think so?"

Cain added, his laughter ringing out, "Perhaps you haven't coordinated your story yet? Shall you retire to discuss how to frame Hubert?"