By the hot spring, Maurice's trusted aide rubbed his nose with a mischievous grin after ejecting Abbie. "Mr. Glovers, are you really going to let her go without retribution?"

Showing kindness to enemies was never part of Maurice's strategy. A sly smile played on his lips, hinting at underlying machinations. He instinctively tried to brush dust from his coat, only to be reminded by the sharp pain in his shoulders that he couldn't use both arms. His smile faltered, his expression darkening. Caesar had made it clear that his injuries would require at least three months to heal fully. That was another debt mentally added to Felicia's account.

"Does my grandmother know about this?" Maurice asked, his tone unusually calm.

"Yes," one of his men replied.

"Alright, send people to keep an eye on Felicia. She can do as she pleases, but until that venomous creature is removed, ensure Felicia's safety. No exceptions."

"Yes, Mr. Glovers!"

Maurice's smile deepened, carrying a hint of something ominous. His gaze drifted lazily toward the distant Grandeur Hall, where his grandmother resided. With a voice as smooth as silk, yet just as sharp, he murmured, almost to himself, "What a shame... I almost feel sorry for her."

His words hung in the air, seemingly addressed to no one. "Ms. Fuller," he said softly, his eyes narrowing.

Inside Grandeur Hall, the air was thick with the scent of essential oils. Kelsey had regained consciousness. After a brief checkup, Caesar reassured her that, aside from some mild stress, there was nothing to worry about. But as Caesar packed his tools, she suddenly grabbed his hand. Her frail but firm grip stopped him.

"Caesar," she said, her voice low and serious. "You're an esteemed physician. Are you telling me there's no way to deal with the twin venomous creature?"

Caesar hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He was renowned for his medical expertise, but this situation had humbled him. A young woman barely out of her teens had accomplished feats he could only dream of—curing Maurice's legs and deploying a modified version of the twin venomous creature.

He began cautiously, "Mrs. Glovers Senior, even if we summon the best doctors in the country, the answer will likely remain the same. This particular venomous creature has been modified. Its toxicity is extremely aggressive. Attempting to forcibly remove it would undoubtedly lead to Mr. Glovers' death."

Kelsey's face fell, her already lined features creasing further with worry. She waved him off, ending the conversation. Caesar nodded and turned to leave, but paused halfway out the door. Looking back, he saw an unsettling sight. Kelsey's lips had curled into a faint smile. It was brief but striking—so unlike her usual kind demeanor that it sent a chill down his spine. Had he imagined it?

Caesar froze, staring again at Kelsey. Her face was back to its usual sorrowful expression, but a moment ago, he could have sworn he saw a sharp, calculating smile flash across her features. It was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Caesar, is there anything else?"

Startled, he quickly composed himself. "No, Mrs. Glovers Senior. I just wanted to reassure you—the twin venomous creature won't harm Mr. Glovers as long as the other host, Ms. Fuller, remains unharmed. As long as she's safe, there's no risk of the harm rebounding on Mr. Glovers."

Kelsey nodded, then abruptly asked, "And if that woman dies? Maurice will die too, won't he?"

"Yes, but don't worry, Mrs. Glovers Senior. I'll return to my texts immediately and search for a way to remove the venomous creature safely from Mr. Glovers."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Caesar."

"I'll do my best," Caesar replied with a slight nod before leaving Grandeur Hall.

Once Caesar was gone, a maid stepped forward. "Mrs. Glovers Senior, you're still recovering. Shall I help you back to rest?"

"No need, I've never felt so alive!" Kelsey said, her face breaking into a wide, satisfied grin. Her deeply wrinkled eyes crinkled further, and a glint of malice flickered in their cloudy depths. Her hoarse, low voice was laced with unrestrained glee. Kelsey's laugh echoed in the room. Her tone darkened as she uttered words laced with venom, "I've waited years for this day. I can finally avenge my son."

Her chilling words lingered in the air, while the faint scent of essential oils swirled, adding an eerie stillness to the hall. Kelsey's frail face, illuminated by flickering candlelight, now carried an unmistakable hint of ruthless resolve.