Chapter 29
Chapter 29:
Snapping out of it, Phillip quickly left for home.
Yet, upon arriving, the usually festive house was unsettlingly quiet.
“Why isn’t there a celebration?” Phillip asked, confused. “Where’s Stacey p>
Leland rubbed his temples wearily, his tone cold and frustrated. “Don’t even mention her. You have no idea what trouble she’s caused p>
Stacey had already recognized the familiar growl of Phillip’s sports car in the driveway. Silently, she crept to her bedroom door and hovered at the top of the staircase, straining to catch every word as the conversation in the living room grew intense.
Down below, Leland broke the news to Phillip about Stacey’s involvement in the fake Nexo-7 debacle. Phillip, brushing off the seriousness, simply waved a hand. “She only wanted the Kirk name to shine. Maybe she was overzealous, but don’t overlook how loyal she’s always been. A little scolding is fine, but she’s done a lot for us p>
Suddenly, Leland shifted the conversation. “Didn’t Rylie act for the family’s sake too p>
Phillip’s jaw clenched, memories of their last heated encounter flaring up. “Can you not drag her into this again p>
Leland’s expression tightened. “The truth is, Nicolas isn’t getting any better p>
Phillip’s defensiveness melted into genuine worry. “What’s going on? Wasn’t the so-called prodigy doctor Stacey brought in supposed to fix everything? Weren’t those new meds meant to save him p>
Leland’s response was heavy with resignation. “That plan from Marsha failed — worse than failed. According to today’s results, Nicolas is deteriorating faster now than when Rylie was looking after him.” He swallowed a mouthful of whiskey, trying to steady his nerves.
Phillip stared, uncomprehending. “You’re saying the new expert did more harm than good p>
Hearing this, Stacey felt a shiver down her spine, and anger toward Marsha surged within her. Marsha was touted as the youngest and most famous doctor in Crolens. She had gone to great lengths to bring Marsha to treat Nicolas, only to worsen his condition.
gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s․com is your escape to fiction
Leland’s thoughts drifted back to the day’s confrontation — Marsha, floundering with the fake Nexo-7, while Rylie saw through the ruse instantly. A seed of doubt sprouted. “Did I wrongly accuse Rylie p>
Phillip still wasn’t seeing the full picture. “What do you mean p>
Leland’s voice grew soft, his gaze fixed on the floor. “Looking back… even though Nicolas coughed up black blood after Rylie’s treatment, his health didn’t decline. He lived like himself. Ever since we changed his medication, he’s gotten so much worse, so quickly p>
The more Leland mulled it over, the more the truth came into focus — Stacey had been the one to point fingers at Rylie for poisoning Nicolas, had insisted on switching his medication, and now Nicolas’s health had nosedived.
Phillip hesitated, doubt flickering in his eyes. “You really think that’s how it happened p>
All at once, a maid’s panicked cry echoed from the upper floor. “Miss Kirk, put that knife down p>
The commotion broke the brothers’ discussion. Both men raced upstairs to a startling scene: Stacey, distraught and shaking, clutching a kitchen knife against her arm while a maid tried in vain to intervene.