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