Chapter 421: Honey-trap

Peterson nodded. "Yes, young master."

Elvis looked at Ray and asked in a deep voice, "How's the Paulo family these past two days?"

"Young master, Mr. Paulo hasn't been seen since the necrotic poisoning. He's reportedly sought numerous doctors to counteract the poison. Charlotte remains at her grandfather's side. Crystal is at home with Mrs. Robert. Miss Hart severely injured several people during the final battle at the research base; they're too preoccupied with saving lives to do much else."

Elvis's handsome, delicate face remained impassive. "Where's Jean?"

"The Paulo family no longer welcomes Jean, but that doesn't affect him. He's at his own residence, tinkering with various chemicals every day, consumed by his obsession with poison. Young master, Jean is a man without weakness. Obtaining the recipe from him would be nearly impossible."

Elvis's deep, narrow eyes flashed coldly. "Jean is a lunatic. Even under duress, he won't relinquish the recipe. A man without weaknesses is invincible. Yet, everything hinges on this recipe."

Elvis took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Jean has no weakness, so let's… give him one."

Ray looked at Elvis suspiciously. "What do you mean, young master?"

Elvis simply replied in a low voice, "No need to worry about it for now. Just keep an eye on Jean."

Ray nodded. "Okay."

Peterson spoke up. "Young master, I have another matter to report. We encountered another party investigating Miss Hart's past—Damien Robert. He seems very interested in her…"

Before Peterson finished, he felt Elvis's cold gaze, the long, narrow eyes piercing him through the cigarette smoke. He felt a prickle of discomfort.

Peterson felt a knot of dread in his throat, silently pleading, Young master, spare me! I have no interest in Miss Hart; it's Damien. Find him!

Elvis's eyes darkened. Damien had recently returned, meeting Olive at Charlotte's wedding, and showing an interest in her. Elvis had noticed this at the wedding. Damien is old enough to be Olive's father. Any romantic interest would be truly shameless. So shameless!

Elvis pursed his lips. "I know about Damien."

Peterson knew his young master was jealous. Very jealous.

Peterson and Ray withdrew as Elvis turned to his documents. A knock sounded at the door. The study door opened, and Mrs. Samantha entered.

"Grandma, why aren't you resting?" Elvis asked, rising.

Mrs. Samantha sighed. "Seeing Olive's condition, how can I sleep? How could that sick grandson of the Paulo family do such a thing?"

Elvis looked at Mrs. Samantha and said, "Grandma, I've noticed you care deeply about Olive, even more than me, your grandson. Why?"

Mrs. Samantha was momentarily startled but quickly recovered her composure, smiling faintly. "Olive is a very attractive girl. Doesn't Elvis like her, too?"

Elvis raised an eyebrow. The Augustine family was large, yet he couldn't get a straight answer from Alpha or Mrs. Samantha. Could he ever truly be at ease?

Mrs. Samantha recalled, "I didn't know Paulo's grandson well. I only knew that Mr. Paulo was extremely strict with Jean from a young age. He didn't allow him to make friends or play with other children. Mr. Paulo confined Jean to his room, and eventually, Jean confined himself. He grew accustomed to it."

"When Jean was a child, he was cold and gloomy. I remember at a birthday party, a kitten approached him, and he kicked it away. The kitten's owner, a little girl, ran over, grabbed his arm, and bit him hard…"

Elvis grasped the significance, interrupting Mrs. Samantha. "Grandma, you mean a little girl bit Jean?"

Mrs. Samantha nodded. "Yes."

"Where is that girl now?" Elvis asked.

"I don't remember clearly. I only heard that her family went bankrupt, her parents committed suicide, and she took her heart-diseased brother away… Many years have passed." She looked at Elvis strangely. "Elvis, why are you so interested in this girl? What are you thinking?"

Elvis and Mrs. Samantha exchanged a knowing glance. Mrs. Samantha pointed at him. "Elvis, your methods are… sinister."

Elvis raised an eyebrow. "If Jean wants to play dirty, I'll play along. However, to win, I must fall into his trap. I suspect Paulo's grandson, sickly and sensitive as he is, won't fall for a simple woman."

He pursed his lips. "Grandma, is there any way to find that girl?"

Mrs. Samantha shook her head. "I'm not sure. Time is running out. I fear Olive can't wait."

Elvis returned to his bedroom, he and Mrs. Samantha already beginning their search. Time was short, and finding the girl was the most pressing concern. Then, a "ding"—a text message on Elvis's phone, from an unknown number.

His eyes narrowed. The message contained the whereabouts of the girl. Who had sent this? How did they know he was looking for her?

Elvis quickly dialed Peterson. "Check this number, now!"

Peterson's reply was swift. "Young master, the number is untraceable."