Chapter 604 A Fate Worse Than Death
The text message read: "Water may contain high levels of aminophylline, phenacetin, and aspirin."
Aminophylline and phenacetin could cause abnormal white blood cell counts; aspirin could continuously thin the blood.
These substances were strictly prohibited for someone like Lucas who was recovering from chemotherapy for leukemia!
Natalie's face went pale in an instant.
"Natalie," Oliver steadied her by holding her shoulders.
"Sis, don't worry, I didn't drink it," Lucas quickly said, "I didn't even touch it."
"Could Mrs. and Mr. Johnson have tampered with the water?" Lilian asked with a touch of fear—conspiracies like this were something she seldom faced head-on.
It took Natalie a good while to regain some composure, then with forced calm, she asked Oliver, "What's going on? Who sent this text?"
"Our people did." Oliver glanced swiftly at Lucas, careful not to expose their informant.
The old couple from downstairs were still bustling about.
"I'll go down and feel them out," said Natalie, her face a mask of frost.
"I'll come with you," Concerned, Oliver gripped her wrist.
Natalie shook her head, "I'll take Casey with me. If it's really them, I might be able to get more information from them."
Lilian watched Natalie leave the bedroom, awestruck by her courage and intelligence.
Steady and smart!
Another message from their inside contact buzzed on Oliver's phone: "Thank you, Mr. Windsor. Four of our people are outside, ready for your instructions."
Their insiders had arrived.
Oliver felt relieved that he tipped off Lucas earlier. Otherwise, he couldn't fathom what might have happened tonight.
The insiders treated Lucas like a prized jewel and knew his medical history better, making them more effective at protection than any bodyguard.
Lucas moved to the bedside, the forest outside pitch-black against the night.
The sound of heavy rain filled the air.
Out in the western brush, Lucas spotted a faint green glow coming and going like a will-o'-the-wisp, easy to dismiss by an unsuspecting eye.
But on closer inspection, the light flickered at regular intervals, a person signaling.
This was a communication method used within their organization, akin to Morse code, translating to: "Are you well?"
Lucas stood by the window, flashed an "ok" sign, then flicked on his phone's flashlight, signaling the message "HIDE" with a sequence of coded flashes.
Beside him, Lilian looked puzzled, but Oliver recognized it as Morse code.
Even though he recognized the Morse system, the specific nuances were lost on him. Lucas and his organization had their own unique variation, shrouded in secrecy.
Natalie walked into the next room and called Casey downstairs.
"What's up, young lady?" Mrs. Johnson was wiping down the table.
"Mrs. Johnson, was the water from earlier boiled?" Natalie inquired.
"Of course, we boiled it. You can't just drink straight from the tap here," Mrs. Johnson replied.
Observing Mrs. Johnson 's natural demeanor, Natalie asked, "So, you were going to bring us the hot water directly?"
"No," Mrs. Johnson chuckled, "I did plan on bringing it hot, but someone stopped by for a glass and ended up chatting a bit. By the time they left, the water had cooled."
Natalie exchanged a glance with Casey.
"Was it the person you mentioned earlier, the one staying with your neighbors, who came for the water?" Natalie prodded.
"How did you know?" mumbled Mrs. Johnson. "Strange indeed. That boy has his own water but came here instead, and lingered quite a while."
A few more questions and Natalie was almost certain that the so-called visitor had tampered with the water.
The tampering wouldn't harm most people, but for someone with leukemia, it could be fatal.
Their target was Lucas!
Back upstairs, Natalie shared her findings with the group.
Oliver immediately sent half the security team to track down the culprits. Considering Lucas and the organization were involved, he also texted the organization to assist in the manhunt.
About an hour later, the guards returned soaking wet.
The lead guard apologized to Oliver, "Sir, they got away. We arrived just as they were leaving, but they knew the area too well. We couldn't catch them, sorry!"
"Go clean yourselves up," Oliver gestured dismissively, holding back any blame.
Within this mishap, there was still valuable information.
Whoever it was knew the area intimately.
Clearly, a local.
This summer camp event was a private affair, hardly known outside certain circles—the kind of circles where people wouldn't dare to harm one another due to the implications.
But somehow, someone had made their move.
After the Windsor family assigned bodyguards for protection, choosing Lucas as the target was a provocative strike aimed at Oliver and a failsafe way to implicate the Windsor family should anything go wrong.
Moreover, since Lucas was Oliver's brother-in-law, targeting him could certainly stir trouble in Oliver's life.
Witnessing Natalie's increasingly grim expression, Oliver turned to the others, "Stay sharp. I'll arrange for a watch tonight. Let's head back."
Back in the room she shared with Oliver, Natalie's eyes narrowed, radiating a sharp, dangerous aura.
"They want Lucas dead, or rather, they want his life to be worse than death."
"Natalie..." Oliver wanted to embrace her, but the memory of yesterday's incident and her attitude made him freeze in place, unable to move forward.
Natalie closed her eyes, her mind racing through recent events, determined to hold everyone accountable. Finally, her thoughts paused on Susan.
"Oliver, does Leonard have the capacity to pull off what happened today?"
"It's not him," Oliver stated with certainty. "It's not his style."
Leonard, when dealing with his adversaries, would opt for the most ruthless and permanent solution. The tangled, constrained approach of today was beneath him. He would find it too bothersome.
"But does he have the means?" Natalie pressed urgently.
"Yes."
Oliver had an inkling of Natalie's train of thought but didn't call it out, patiently explaining, "Although the Foster family has been the old money of the southwest, over the years, the Ashford family has cultivated more operatives in the shadows."
The implication was clear: while not Leonard himself, it could still be his people.
Natalie let out a cold, scornful laugh.
If not Leonard, then what about his fiancée, Susan?
If it were Susan, all the pieces would fall into place.
She had access to Leonard's resources and a motive to act.
Susan's hatred and previous failed attempt to harm Natalie were well-known. Perhaps Susan wouldn't dare to confront Natalie directly again, knowing full well that Lucas's suffering would hurt Natalie even more.
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