Life After Divorce: The Rise Of Elijah Crawford

Chapter 7

"What have I done? I've done nothing, but save this man's life you moron!" Elijah said tersely. 

Winnie gently held her hand beneath her grandfather's nostrils. Briefly, it felt as if his breath had halted, but it was merely a pause as he inhaled. Moments later, he exhaled, the warmth of his breath brushing against her finger.

"He's alive!" Winnie exclaimed, her eyes beaming up at Elijah. "My grandfather is still breathing." 

Observing Winnie's joyful response aimed at Elijah rather than himself, Dr. David snorted, "Clearly, it was my herbs that healed your grandfather, Miss Winnie. Given a few more seconds, his convulsion would have ceased. Mr. Elijah, once again, attempts to take credit away from me. He is an opportunistic scoundrel who has consistently sought to steal my success since entering this room."

Winnie, absorbed in expressing her excitement through repeated kisses on her grandfather's cheeks, paid zero attention to Dr. David. 

"Are you genuinely convinced it was your herbs that counteracted the moonroots poison?" Elijah inquired, folding his arms,his voice resonating with irony.

"Undoubtedly, it was my herbs that facilitated Mr. Carter's healing! I'll need to conduct tests to ensure that whatever you administered to Mr. Carter doesn't impede their efficacy."

Elijah shook his head with bitterness, finding amusement in Dr. David's chicanery. "Fine, if you genuinely think there's nothing wrong with your herbal mix, why don't you go ahead and eat it, as you suggested earlier?"  

Dr. David chuckled. "Ah, trying to deflect punishment, I see. We should break your hands for pretending to be a doctor, but I'll be merciful, despite your lack of deserving forgiveness. Miss Winnie, be cautious around men like Elijah. He's a professional con artist, manipulative to the core."

Winnie gently cradled her grandfather's head on the pillow, rising with a determined expression.

"You've stirred enough trouble, Dr. David. It's time for you to go," Winnie stated firmly.

"Me? Mr. Elijah should be the one leaving, not me," Dr. David retorted, a frown deepening on his face.

"I won't repeat myself," Winnie warned with a stern gaze.

Dr. David's shoulders slumped as he silently stowed his belongings into his bag. His gaze flickered towards Elijah, whose poker face betrayed no emotion. He feigned leaving, then swiftly turned back, attempting to pierce him with a poisonous injection. Elijah's swift reflexes intercepted the move, and he seized the needle. Irritation flashed in his eyes as he discarded the injection. Winnie, wide-eyed, gasped at the sight of the discarded needle. 

"Since you won't consume your poisonous herbs, I'll make sure you never play doctor again," Elijah declared, still gripping Dr. David's hand.

"What do you mean?" Dr. David questioned. "Let go of my hand!"

Dr. David wrestled to break free, but his efforts proved futile. In a swift motion, he tried to strike Elijah with his unrestrained hand, only for him to effortlessly catch the incoming blow. 

"Please don't," Dr. David pleaded, desperation evident in his voice. "Have mercy, please."

Elijah sneered,ignoring his plea,and broke Dr. David's hands without any hesitation.A piercing scream reverberated through the room. Winnie stared in shock, unable to comprehend the sudden intensity of the unfolding events.

Freed from Elijah's grasp, Dr. David's steps quickened toward the door, leaving his bag behind. A searing pain pulsed through his hand, and tears welled up, burning his cheeks.

"Elijah, mark my words – I'll make you pay for this! Revenge will be mine!" he shouted while making his escape. 

Elijah's gaze remained steady, unwavering in the face of the incoming threats lavished on him. He slowly redirected his attention toward Winnie with a smile. 

"Mr. Elijah, thank you for saving my grandfather's life," Winnie expressed her gratitude.

Elijah nodded, acknowledging her thanks. "It's what I do."

Winnie, still concerned about her grandfather, inquired, "So is this a temporary solution to the poison? Are there any cures he needs to completely remove it from his system?"

Elijah leaned against the nearby table, considering his response. "I've healed your grandfather completely; he should be fine. He'll wake up soon and be able to move about in a few days."

Relief washed over Winnie's face. "Thank you so much. I don't know what we would have done without you."

"Yeah," Elijah replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "But your troubles aren't over. Investigate what happened to your grandfather. Moonroot poison is a specific choice, used by skilled poison makers. It's rare, and its effects take days to manifest. This was deliberate."

Determination filled Winnie's eyes. "I will find out who was behind it. As soon as my grandfather is able to talk, we will begin the investigation."

"Good," Elijah started to say, but his sentence was abruptly cut short by the ringing of his phone. He stared at the incoming call from his ex-wife, a moment of hesitation crossing his face.

"Elijah," Rhonda said weakly. "I'm at… At the Palm Springs hotel... He-help."