After the chaos in the dining room, everyone returned to the sitting room, the atmosphere thick with unease, the tension palpable which is in stark contrast to the exquisite setting of the room as they all waited anxiously for the doctor's diagnosis and Vera's waking up.
Elder Allen sat with a stern expression leaning on his walking cane for support, Desmond's face was impassive but his fingers were tightly interlocked, while Aaron paced anxiously his gaze drifting to Vera at intervals. Pamela and the other members of the second branch whispered among themselves.
Jessica silently wheeled Davis into the sitting room back to the spot they had occupied when they arrived initially. After she made sure he is comfortable, she sat down on the couch beside him while Ethan continued standing.
She felt the gaze of the family members on her— curious, angry, suspicion and confusion. She welcomed them all, her countenance brimming with confidence.
The whole evening has been a rollercoaster event for the family but none of the incidence is as intriguing as the lady before them. The drug Vera had administered isn't one she should notice or perceive but the fact she had noticed it gave them an answer they didn't want to admit... she is not simple.
It made them wary.
Jessica felt the weight of Davis's silence beside her, but she didn't turn to him, she didn't know what is going on in his head but one thing she is certain is he is too calm.
Her focus was on elder Allen. Her mind spinning rapidly as she thought of ways to find her answer.
A maid entered with a tray of tea, carefully placing it on the center table before retreating without a word. Still, Davis said nothing.
Jessica finally let out a slow breath and spoke, keeping her voice even. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice low.
Before he could respond, the door creaked open. A doctor stepped inside, holding a folder, his face grim.
"The results are in." He announced.
The doctor cleared his throat, flipping open the file. "The substance in her system is fast-acting muscle relaxant combined with a sedative, commonly used in controlled doses for sleep disorders, but in high doses—" He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. "It can cause a myriad of problem which is does not exclude death."
Gasps and collective murmur rippled through the room as their facial expressions switched to shock and unbelief.
Jessica's lips curled up lightly, a knowing glint flashing in her eyes. She had already pieced it together the moment she saw Vera's reaction at the table.
The doctor hesitated before nodding to their shock. "Yes. But what's more concerning is that—" He turned the page in his report. "This isn't the first time she's been exposed to it. The levels in her system suggest repeated exposure over time."
A sharp intake of breath from the room. "Repeated exposure? How?" Voices queried.
"I would like to ask her husband if she is having a sleep disorder?" The doctor asked.
Aaron was at loss, they don't spend the night together and he rarely returns home, how will he know if she has one.
"I haven't noticed any". He murmured slowly.
Jessica carefully scanned their faces, her gaze resting on Aaron and Desmond who were more composed then the others at the news which even Davis lifted his gaze in surprise.
"That I cannot answer, I think she needs to be sent to the hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment", He concluded followed by a thick silence that shrouded the room.
Elder Allen looked up at the doctor "Thank you doctor, I think you can make the arrangements of handling her health while her husband brings over to the hospital."
"Aaron, prepare the car to send Vera to the hospital while you also inform the Louis family of their daughter's health" He instructed further.
Jessica's gaze flicked toward Vera, who was still unconscious in the guest room with its door ajar. Her mind spinning with the possibilities of who is the victim and who is the perpetrator.
"No, Vera hadn't been the victim. She might have been the perpetrator otherwise why did she make use of the drug in preparing my drink", She mused.
Jessica's mind worked quickly, dissecting the information. She tampered with the drink herself, but had she unknowingly built a resistance over time? Was that why she didn't anticipate its full effects on herself?
She had drank that cup after contemplating for a while so —"
She glanced at Elder Allen once again, his trembling hands, the hair ... "I have to act fast without alerting the enemy", she muttered in silence.
She beckoned on Ethan who walked over to her side, while she whispered her instructions into his ears. Ethan's eye widened as he stared at her. "Be careful about it", she instructed.
Davis staring at her furrowed brows, calculative glint and her gazes on the faces in the room as though she wants them etched in her memory sensed something amiss.
But since she is been discreet about it no need to question her now. The doctor adjusted Vera's IV before he packed his items to leave but as he walked to the door. Jessica's voice halted him in his steps.
"Doctor, please wait", she chimed.
Her smile bright and innocent almost angelic.
"Grandpa, seems to be forgetful lately. Since you are here why not run some test on him too?" She said glancing at Elder Allen.
"I think the cup he used in drinking during dinner will suffix in getting samples", She said lightly.
Desmond lifted his gaze to meet hers, his face cold and unreadable while Aaron looked at his father — their faces wonderful.
"Doctor, you don't have to worry. My father had gone through several tests and the result is positive, his health is only affected due to old age." He smirked casting a challenging gaze on Jessica.
"Oh! Uncle don't be offended. It is just that grandpa seems to be forgetting a lot" Jessica said, her voice barely above a whisper as though she is wronged.
She is not intent on carrying out any test on Elder Allen but just wanted to test her suspicion and as expected Desmond objected the idea. A prove of his involvement.
Ethan felt his memory refreshed at Jessica's naive attitude —a stark contrast to the fierce scheming lady he had witnessed in these past weeks. Davis suppressed his smile.
Elder Allen sighed at the suggestion. Though he had gone through various test and the results remained the same, he couldn't shake the feeling that something is wrong.
The doctor glanced between Desmond and Jessica confused with what to do. "Doctor, you don't have worry about the test, my old age is playing tricks on me", Elder Allen said.
"Jessica, Davis meet me in the study", Elder Allen instructed and walked towards the staircase but paused briefly at the steps "Alfred, prepare their room".