Chapter 288 Poison Juice
"Siena, where does it hurt?" Charles asked nervously.
But Siena fell asleep again and didn't answer his question.
Charles's gaze shifted downward and saw one of her hands covering her stomach. His expression grew tense again. "Is it a stomachache? Could it be an overdose of medication?"
As he spoke, Charles reached out to rub Siena's stomach. His movements were cautious, and his eyes were filled with obsession.
He had completely ignored Emma, who was still beside him, heartbroken over Matthew.
In the end, Emma was at a loss for words, turned her head in disappointment, and left angrily.
Isabella had been looking for Seb, first outside and then inside the Landon family house.
Thanks to the outfit Leo found for her, she could move freely inside and outside without arousing suspicion.
After searching the first floor, Isabella carried a tray and headed upstairs.
As soon as she stepped onto the second floor, she ran into Emma. Afraid that Emma would recognize her, Isabella immediately turned around, trying to avoid her.
But Emma called out to her, "Stop right there!"
Isabella, afraid of arousing suspicion, had to stop and turn back, but she kept her head down and said in a muffled voice, "Mrs. Landon."
Emma looked her up and down and asked, "Who told you to bring up the drinks?"
Isabella lied, "Mr. Landon."
Emma glanced at the two beautifully colored juices on the tray and frowned deeply. "At a time like this, he's still thinking about romance!"
Then she asked, "Where's the doctor? When will they arrive?"
Isabella wasn't sure what Emma was talking about, but she couldn't let on. She decided to play along, "It seems like…"
Before she could finish, the sound of footsteps interrupted her.
Charles' personal doctors arrived—two young men, each carrying a medical bag.
They paused briefly in front of Emma, nodding politely. "Mrs. Landon."
Emma wore a bitter smile. "Well, you've arrived quickly!"
It was clear to anyone that Emma was not pleased.
The two doctors exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of how to respond.
After a few tense seconds, Emma stepped aside and said, "They're in the study. Go ahead."
"Thank you, Mrs. Landon," the doctors murmured, quickly making their way to the study.
Isabella had hoped to slip away unnoticed, but Emma called her back. "Come with me."
Isabella had no choice but to follow.
Instead of going downstairs, Emma led her to the master bedroom.
"Close the door," Emma instructed.
Isabella did as she was told.
When she turned back, Emma was holding a small glass vial. She walked over and handed it to Isabella. "Pour this into those two glasses of juice."
Isabella stared in confusion.
Emma's intent seemed clear: she wanted to poison Charles' drink.
Emma's face still bore traces of a recent altercation, partially concealed by makeup. Though not obvious, it was there.
Isabella thought, 'Is Emma driven to this extreme by Charles' abuse, planning to poison him at his own birthday party?'
"Just take it!" Emma snapped, seeing Isabella's hesitation. She shoved the vial into Isabella's hand. "I'll be right here, watching you pour it in!"
Isabella stood frozen, not knowing what to do.
Emma, clearly losing patience, stepped forward, grabbed Isabella's hand, and forced her to pour the contents of the vial into the two glasses of juice. The colorless, odorless liquid mixed seamlessly into the juice, disappearing without a trace.
Emma then pulled out two white pills, crushed them, and added the powder to the glasses. She waited until the white residue was completely dissolved, then allowed a satisfied smile to creep onto her face. "Go ahead, take them over."
"Yes, Mrs. Landon," Isabella replied, picking up the tray and heading towards the door.
Isabella had planned to switch out the poisoned juice once she was out of the room. However, Emma stayed right by her side, following her all the way to the study and knocking on the door.
Isabella tightened her grip on the tray, forced to improvise on the spot.
The door opened, and before Isabella could react, Emma pushed her forward with a firm shove, sending her into the room.
Inside, Isabella saw Siena sprawled on the sofa. The doctors had already drawn her blood and were running tests nearby. Charles stood impatiently, waiting for news.
The heavy floor-to-ceiling curtains blocked out all external light, creating a stark contrast between the lively chaos downstairs and the somber, tense atmosphere of the room.
Charles turned and scowled upon seeing Isabella. "What are you doing here? Get out!"
Isabella hesitated for a moment before turning to leave.
She had originally come looking for Seb and had ended up here by accident due to Emma's push. Since Charles was sending her away, it was a perfect opportunity for her to leave without suspicion.
Just as she turned, Charles called out, "Wait!"
Isabella froze.
"Put the juice down."
Isabella remained still.
Charles' irritation grew. "I'm talking to you. Do you hear me?"
Isabella heard him loud and clear, but only she knew that those were poisoned drinks. She wanted nothing more than to ruin Charles' day, but she didn't want blood on her hands. If Charles and Siena ended up dead, she would be implicated.
But if she didn't follow through, it would definitely raise suspicion and expose her.
While Isabella was caught in this dilemma, the doctors suddenly spoke up. "We have results."
Charles's attention snapped to them. "So, is she pregnant?"
"Yes, she's pregnant. According to our assessment, she's been pregnant for at least two weeks."
"Two weeks," Charles said, calculating. "Yes, that's right. Exactly two weeks."
It was exactly two weeks since he'd slept with Siena.
The child was his!
Charles' laughter filled the room, echoing off the walls.
As Charles and the doctors continued their conversation, Isabella took the opportunity to leave the study. But to her surprise, Emma was still outside, waiting.
The door closed slowly behind Isabella, and as she came face to face with Emma, the laughter from inside the room carried through. Emma's eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as she fixed her cold stare on Isabella. "Who told you to come out? Why didn't you set the juice down?"
Isabella lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Landon."
Emma sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "Afraid, are you? Afraid of getting blood on your hands?"
Isabella nodded slightly.
Emma's lip curled in disdain. "You're scared of the consequences, but you didn't think about the price of defying me? Since you're so concerned about Charles and that woman's lives and now know about my plan, I can't let you go. You'll drink these two glasses."
Isabella stood speechless.
As Isabella struggled with what to do, the doctor suddenly said, "We have the results."
Charles's attention was immediately drawn. "Is she pregnant?"
The doctor said, "Yes, she is. Based on our assessment, she's been pregnant for at least two weeks."
"Two weeks." Charles did a quick calculation. "Yes, that's right. Exactly two weeks."
It had been exactly two weeks since he had sex with Siena.
This child was his! Charles laughed, and his laughter echoed throughout the room.
While Charles and the doctors were talking, Isabella took the opportunity to leave the study, but to her surprise, Emma was still outside, waiting.
As soon as she stepped out, she faced Emma. The door slowly closed behind Isabella, and the laughter from inside reached Emma's ears. A murderous look appeared in Emma's eyes as she coldly stared at Isabella. "Who told you to come out? Why didn't you leave the juice?"
Isabella kept her head down. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Landon."
Emma sneered coldly."You're scared, afraid of causing a death?"
Isabella silently agreed.
Emma scoffed, "You're afraid of causing a death but didn't consider the consequences of defying me? Since you are so deeply concerned about the lives of Charles and that woman, and aware of my poisoning scheme, I cannot allow you to leave. Drink these two glasses of juice yourself."
Isabella was speechless.
