Elder Allen walked toward his study in silence leaving behind the chaotic sitting room.
It had been one long hectic day, a simple family reunion dinner ended with so many cases — not even a case of love but scheming and plotting, it is really tiring.
He sighed rubbing his temple, his head aching, as his walking stick rattled on the staircase.
In the sitting room, there is a shift in the atmosphere —Aaron reluctantly took Vera to the hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The family members from the second branch left one after another. Desmond glared at Jessica coldly before he stormed out of the sitting room plunging the room into silence.
Jessica sighed in relief but then she felt Davis complicated gaze resting on her. His expression was calm and contemplative.
The heavy silence in the sitting room lingered, broken only by the distant voices s of departing family members. She could still feel the cold resentment in Desmond's glare before he left. " It was expected but his frustration was only just beginning." She mused.
Ethan had gone to retrieve the cup she instructed him to keep for further investigation, leaving only the two of them in the dimly lit room. Davis leaned back in his wheelchair, his sharp eyes never leaving her face.
"When did you find out?" Davis queried, his tone slow and calm barely perceptible.
"Find out what?" Jessica asked her brow furrowing in confusion as she glanced at him lightly. He kept silent for a while as he adjusted uncomfortably on the chair, his fingers crossed.
"The drink been drugged?" He muttered, his tone helpless.
He didn't want to start imagining how things might have spiraled out of control if she did not discover the trick... He had always known that this trip may not end well but never in his wildest dream did he think of the use of drugs and not from Vera.
Davis now believed he had never truly known her because the sweet innocent lady he dated for the past ten years cannot hurt a fly... why the use of drugs?
He had thought she was been petty when she bumped into Jessica's shoulder but that was all.
"What has changed?" What has transpired since his accident that he is not aware of?" Davis mused.
The tension between them was thick, but it wasn't hostile—just expectant.
Jessica exhaled softly, folding her arms. "I had my suspicions the moment Vera personally handed me the orange juice," she admitted, her tone unwavering.
"Doesn't that mean you have been suspecting her or possibly bearing a grudge?" he asked his eyes searching every expression her face displayed.
"No, I am a very sensitive person. I noticed she was too eager, too friendly for someone who had suffered a loss earlier, should I be thinking she is Mother Theresa. And then, when I suggested switching drinks, she hesitated a little. That confirmed it." She explained seriously.
It's not she bearing a grudge but Vera not knowing her limits. She picked the wrong battle and ended up with its karma.
"But you have already taken a sip of the drink then?" He queried seriously, it still baffles him, how she was able to manipulate the situation.
Jessica let out a small, knowing smile. "No. I never took a sip. I only acted like I did." She tilted her head, observing him.
"Never took a sip? How?"
"It is very simple I didn't know exactly what is in the drink, the drug she used might be tasteless and can easily dissolve in water so I have to use the sense of smell", She explained.
"Sense of smell? You mean smelled the drink?" He felt his memory refreshed again at her line of thinking because no one in his right thinking will use a drug that can emit any recognizable aroma.
"Yes, I did. Though it was for seconds. The drug she used gives a faint undetectable aroma due to the acidic content of the orange", She replied.
After the little episode in the sitting room, Jessica became wary of Vera she was even scared of lifting her cutlery. She became more wary when she proposed the toast but she didn't expect the gods to help her out that Vera used an orange juice. Should it be another fruit, she doubt if she will be able to go unscathed.
"How did you know what she used in the drink?" He queried with a faint smirk on his lips.
"I didn't know exactly what she used, but I wasn't going to take any chances. Besides, the aroma of anything other than orange found in an orange is a foreign body and should have found its way into the drink either planned or unplanned— but I choose to believe the earlier.
Davis stared at her incredulously, her nonchalant attitude when she talked about the drug made his suspicion grow concerning her identity.
"How did you learn about drugs when you have only spent your life in the country side or have you by any chance been in a laboratory before?" he queried his eyes narrowed.
Jessica averted her gaze from him as she stared toward the room where Vera was previously attended to.
How will he feel when he finds out I have a special access to the national laboratory or that I have my own research laboratory?" She mused as her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"I just learnt one or two things from a friend", she muttered.
Ethan who had returned some minutes earlier in the course of their discussion has his gaze narrowed, his suspicion mounting high as an idea formed in his heart.
Davis gazed at Jessica with all seriousness, "She is not telling the truth about the learning", he concluded in his heart.
As he opened his mouth to dig further, Jessica pointed toward the staircase leading to the study "Grandpa is still waiting for us", she said, her tone calm and composed.
She can't let Davis question her further. Her identity has to remain under wraps. The Allen family are already wary of her now...Should her identity be known she may not know where she died.
Davis sighed and nodded lightly. He really has a lot to say and find out from his grandfather and today seems to be the best day.
"Alright." He agreed.
Jessica sighed in relief. She needs to find out what is going on and what Desmond is plotting and if possible find out the parties involved in the plot.
Vera remains a wild card and she cannot say exactly what or who she is working for at the moment. Her word continually ringing in her ears. "You might have won and turned the table but be careful".