Chapter 805
The mass poisoning at Adkins Windsor’s funeral became a major news story, sparking intense public interest.
That afternoon, Ivy and Jamison’s phones rang off the hook. Friends and family called one after another, anxiously asking if they were okay.
“I saw the videos and pictures online. It looked like something out of a zombie apocalypse. So terrifying, especially in a funeral home. I’m so glad you and Dr. Ludwig are safe,” Katrina Lester said over the phone, her voice still trembling with fear.
The memory of the scene sent a shiver down Ivy’s spine. At the time, she had been too focused on saving people and confronting Hawley to feel any fear. It was only now, in retrospect, that the true horror of it all sank in – especially the thought of that poisoned cup of tea sitting right beside her.
“Yes, a lot of people were poisoned,” Ivy confirmed. “The hospital found it was mercury poisoning. Six people are in critical condition and still in the ICU, and about thirty others with milder symptoms are under observation.”
Jamison had called for an update on their way back from the funeral home. Local media outlets were all covering the story, and it was spreading like wildfire online through blogs and social media.
“Oh my God,” Katrina breathed, horrified. “What kind of people did Emma associate with? He didn’t just want to die; he wanted to take a bunch of people with him. I think he was just using ‘revenge for Emma’ as an excuse to lash out at the world.”
“Perhaps,” Ivy murmured. “A difficult upbringing can twist a person’s mind. It’s possible his real motive was to attack society.” She remembered how he kept ranting about how “no rich person was any good.” That kind of class resentment didn’t develop overnight.
Fortunately, the police had successfully apprehended him. Arson, vehicular sabotage, public endangerment, and now mass poisoning – the charges would pile up. He was facing life in prison at the very least, possibly even the death penalty.
With the threat that had been lurking in the shadows finally gone, she and Jamison both felt a profound sense of relief.
The Ludwig family also called repeatedly to check on them. By the time they had reassured all their friends and relatives, the afternoon was gone.
It was after nine in the evening when Jamison returned from the hospital.
Ivy was still awake, propped up in bed reading a book. When her husband came in, she got up to take the overcoat he was shrugging off and hung it on the valet stand.
“The Windsors are in deep trouble this time,” Jamison said quietly, rolling up his shirt sleeves.
Ivy turned from the coat rack. “What do you mean? Are the police holding them responsible?”
“Not the police. The families of the poisoning victims. Baillie just got out of emergency surgery and isn’t even conscious yet, and people are already at the hospital demanding compensation. Rosetta is trying to watch over her son while fending them off…” Jamison shook his head with a sigh.
Since Hawley was an orphan with no one to assume liability and no assets of his own – not to mention he was seriously injured – the innocent guests who had been caught in the crossfire were all going after the Windsors for compensation. They knew the family was no longer what it once was, but it was still a better bet than trying to get blood from a stone.
Ivy pictured the scene and could only imagine Rosetta’s frantic state. A once-proud family, now completely shattered. A wealthy socialite who had never known hardship was now facing a catastrophe she was utterly ill-equipped to handle.
“And that’s not all…” Ivy’s face clouded over as she thought of The Windsor Group’s restructuring. “His wife found out the truth about her miscarriage. She’s almost certainly going to file for divorce. Without her money, The Windsor Group won’t just fail to restructure – it’ll go bankrupt overnight.”
“You’re right,” Jamison agreed.
Noticing the sadness in Ivy’s expression, he reached out and gently stroked her cheek. “The Windsor family’s luck has run out. There’s nothing to be done about it. Don’t dwell on it. You should get some sleep.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you. Go take your shower,” Ivy said with a faint smile.
“Alright.”
Jamison disappeared into the bathroom. Ivy settled back into bed, but instead of her book, she picked up her phone. A quick scroll through her feed brought up more news reports about the poisoning. The Windsors were at rock bottom, yet Rosetta hadn’t called her for help. That was surprising. Thinking back to Rosetta’s behavior at the funeral home, Ivy decided not to offer any unsolicited concern. She already had a plan for what to do next.
Jamison finished his shower quickly and slipped into bed, pulling her into his arms. “Sleep now. It’s been a long, hard day.”
Ivy murmured a soft reply. Even nestled in his embrace, the steady beat of his heart a comforting rhythm, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, keeping sleep at bay.
After what felt like an eternity, her side began to go numb. She shifted in his arms, intending to turn over.
Jamison hadn’t been asleep either. The moment she moved, his voice came from above her head. “What’s wrong? Still thinking about everything?”
“Yes… All those innocent people caught in the crossfire… it’s hard to quiet my mind.”
In just a few short months, too many people had been lost. Now, this mass incident had shaken the entire city.
Jamison wasn’t sure how to comfort her. After a moment of silence, he pulled her even closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “Maybe… we could do something else? A little exertion might help you sleep.”