Chapter 197: The Second Poison Test

Olive returned to the Red Villa, chatting with Mrs. Samantha to ease her worries before retiring to her bedroom. It was late, and Elvis still hadn't returned. Was he really not coming back tonight? Olive refused to believe he'd gone searching for another woman. She tried calling him repeatedly, but couldn't reach him. Tossing and turning, she recalled Elvis's bullying and confinement in the mental hospital, vowing to find a cure at any cost. Her blood test results were due the following day, and she'd decided on a second test. Lost in thought, Olive eventually fell asleep.

Some time later, a luxurious car—a new Rolls-Royce Phantom—silently pulled onto the Red Villa's lawn. Elvis, true to his preferences, had simply upgraded his model. Maria opened the door to greet him.

"Welcome, young master. Why so late? Shall I prepare you something to eat?"

Elvis, still in his black outfit, remained impassive.

"How are Olive and Grandma?" he asked.

"They're asleep. After dinner, Miss Olive helped Grandma bake a cake," Maria replied, smiling.

Elvis glanced at his bedroom door. He knew Olive, a good girl, wouldn't have alerted his grandmother to any problems.

Maria continued, "Miss Olive is lovely and keeps Grandma happy with her bright ideas. Since your marriage, sir, Grandma's been much happier. She and Miss Olive left some dessert for you. I'll get it."

Maria returned with a strawberry-iced cupcake. Elvis disliked sweets, but he took a bite.

"Young master, is it delicious?" Maria asked.

Elvis nodded. "Yes, it's very sweet."

He entered the bedroom. A dim lamp illuminated Olive's sleeping form, curled on the large bed. He knelt beside her, gently caressing her face. Her skin was soft, smooth as silk. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

He'd seen her calls but hadn't answered, knowing he'd rush home if he did. Olive had stripped him of his ego and pride.

"Olive," he whispered, "I was angry today; I didn't want you to know about my past. As your husband, I hope you'll always listen to me." He pressed his head against her hair. "Olive, I'm sick. If you can't cure me… what will you do?" He continued, his voice laced with insecurity, "Marriage is about trust, but I never learned what that meant. Everything I wanted slipped away. You're only twenty, still growing. You'll meet more prominent men—better men—will you still want me then?"

Olive slept on, unable to answer his anxieties.

The next morning, Olive awoke to find Elvis gone. After showering, she went to the Ivory Council for her blood test results. Her suspicions were confirmed: the mandala flower poison was potent; the previous test had affected a third of her blood. Joyce, her mother, had painstakingly nurtured Olive's blood before her death ten years prior, a testament to her unparalleled medical skill. Anyone without medical knowledge would have died instantly from the poison.

Olive knew a second test was perilous, but she'd made up her mind. She booked a hotel room to avoid a repeat of the first test's interruption by Marvin.

After Olive left, Phil gave Marvin a copy of her results.

"Young master, what will you do?" Phil asked respectfully.

Marvin's eyes widened in shock. Olive had survived the mandala flower poison test; her blood possessed remarkable resistance to such toxins.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

Phil sent Marvin her location. "Miss Olive has just entered a room at Starzeal."

"She's going for another test!" Marvin snatched his keys and rushed out.