They were already in the hotel lobby when Carl suddenly stopped walking, a thought striking him. Sophia halted too and looked at him curiously.“Why? What’s wrong?” she asked.“Didn’t you tell me you invited someone who has the same necklace as mine?” Carl’s tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp.Sophia paused, then laughed awkwardly. “Oh, that.” She grinned mischievously. “Sorry. I lied.”Carl’s brows shot up. “What?”Sophia rolled her eyes playfully. “Come on, Carl. You wouldn’t have come with me if I told you the truth. I’m sorry, okay? I’ll make it up to you.”Carl exhaled heavily. Deep down, he wasn’t surprised. Maybe he should’ve known better than to believe her story so easily.Sophia touched his arm gently. “Look, I’m sorry. I know that necklace means something to you. But I had my reasons.”“This isn’t something to joke about, Sophia,” Carl said firmly. “That necklace is important to me.”He tried not to show it, but disappointment settled in his chest. It wasn’t anger—just

With one look, Carl immediately knew the old man had been poisoned. From the black liquid Sabrina said he vomited, to the darkened veins running beneath his pale skin—everything pointed to a single conclusion.He knew the signs all too well. This wasn’t a normal toxin—certainly not one modern hospitals could easily detect.Sabrina frowned, confused and defensive. “Who even are you? How can you say my grandfather was poisoned?”Sophia took a deep breath. “He’s Carl Donovan. My personal bodyguard.”“A personal bodyguard?” one of the doctors repeated skeptically. “You’re not a doctor. On what grounds are you claiming Mr. Carson was poisoned?”Carl ignored the tone. He stepped closer to the bed and gently held the old man’s wrist, feeling his pulse. It was faint, erratic. The man’s breathing was shallow, his heartbeat fast—his body fighting a losing battle.“He’s showing all the symptoms,” Carl said quietly. “And if he vomits the black liquid again without treatment, he’ll be dead in two

“This is ridiculous! If only we’d taken Granddad to another hospital earlier, we’d already have a doctor who can help him!” Sabrina exploded, still refusing to believe Carl could be of any use.“Right. Those insects will only make his condition worse. Cobra venom is especially dangerous!” the doctor chimed in.Sophia let out a sharp exhale. “Can you two just shut up?” she snapped. “How many times do I have to tell you we don’t have time? Unless you can magically heal him, don’t make a sound!”Sabrina huffed defiantly. She still couldn’t accept that her sister would trust a stranger. She shot Carl a hard look as he stood quietly, studying her grandfather.Well… she admitted to herself—he was handsome, even if she would never say it aloud. Sabrina rolled her eyes and tried to banish the thought.A few moments later there was a knock at the door. Jasmine entered, followed by several men carrying boxes.“Ms. Carson! We brought what you asked for,” Jasmine announced.Sophia sprang to her f

Carl stepped out of the room to give the old couple some space. He sat on a waiting chair in the corridor and waited for Sophia.When the door opened again and Sabrina emerged, Carl almost ignored her — until she walked straight toward him.“Can I talk to you?” she asked, her tone calm now, nothing like the venomous hiss from earlier.He straightened and smoothed his shirt. “About what?”Sabrina sat down beside him. Guilt and worry still shadowed her features; earlier she’d lashed out and questioned his competence because of fear.“About earlier… I didn’t mean to say those things. I’m sorry. You understand, right?” she muttered, too ashamed to look him in the eye.Carl’s lips tugged into a half-smile. Of all the people who’d questioned him, this was the first apology he’d heard. “I understand. But watch your words next time.”Sabrina rolled her eyes. “I mean— I didn’t know you. My sister only said you were her bodyguard. How was I to know you’re a doctor too?”Carl nodded. “Exactly. Y

“So, since you’re my personal bodyguard now, you should be with me at all times, Mr. Donovan,” Sophia said.Carl nodded. “I understand. You’ve mentioned it more than once already.”Sophia let out a small laugh. “Sorry. I’m just excited you’re working with me now.”Carl sighed and leaned back on the sofa, letting his eyes wander around the place. From where he sat, he could clearly see the kitchen. At the far end was a spiral staircase leading to the second floor.“Don’t you have CCTV cameras here?” he asked.Sophia glanced around too. “I do. I live alone. I need them.”“Good.”Sophia then looked at Jessa and signaled her over. Jessa immediately approached and placed a phone, a card, and a car key on the table. She also set down a small box, opened it, and pushed it toward Carl.Inside was a handgun.“I want you to have these. The phone is connected to mine—you can track me from there. The card, use it anytime you want. And the gun… you already know what that’s for,” Sophia explained.