FreeNovelThe words from Arabella left the room in a state of mild shock. Could it be that Erik and Martin had been in cahoots behind the
scenes?
"That sedative incense—it's a common item on the black market, with a strong aroma. Erik is somewhat a leader of an
organization; he should've known what that incense could do. But he got nabbed by Martin's bodyguard? A leader taken down by a
run-of-the-mill guard? Doesn't that strike you as odd?"
"You're suggesting that Erik got captured on purpose? That from the moment he stepped into Martin's place and sniffed that
sedative incense, he knew his daughter wasn't there. He realized it was a trap set by Martin, but he still played along. Could this
mean he also wanted to save his daughter? That he was willing to trade his life for hers?" Kenneth speculated.
"It's a possibility we can't ignore," Arabella continued, "Another thing is, the poison that ultimately killed Erik was a slow-acting
one. We guessed that Erik arrived at Martin's place around noon or early afternoon. But the timing of his ingestion of the poison
was in the morning."
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That meant he had ingested it before heading over to Martin's.
Everyone was taken aback at the revelation.
"So, it could really be as Dad said. He knew his daughter wasn't at Martin's and took the poison in advance to avoid suffering at our
hands. He went to Martin to make a show of loyalty. Because it was a slow-acting poison, there was enough tfor Martin to save
his daughter and clear his own name. If Martin's off the hook, our family wouldn't pursue him, and he could then take care of his
daughter, ensure her safety."
"But Erik doesn't strikeas someone who would give up so easily," Hans chimed in, "His wife's dead, and he's letting go of that
vengeance? He only has his daughter left. Doesn't he want to be there for her? To see her get married, have kids?"
"Didn't you remember the fire at the clinic? If Erik knew who the real mastermind was, could it be that the mastermind, fearing Erik
would betray him if captured by us, forced Erik to take the slow-acting poison?"
In other words, Erik didn't take it willingly; he was blackmailed by the mastermind?
Louisa, perplexed by her daughter's analysis, asked, "But isn't Erik's biggest vulnerability his own flesh and blood? With his
daughter under Martin's protection, what's there to fear?"
"Remember what Martha said at the unfinished building? That the mastermind has considerable power. Could it be that not even
Martin can stand against him? So, Erik sacrificed himself for his daughter's and Martin's future happiness?"
Dead men tell no tales.
With his death, the mastermind might be willing to spare Serena's life.
"Who the hell is this mastermind?" Louisa was at a loss. Over the years, who had they angered that wielded such influence? They
hadn't made any mortal enemies, nor did anyone seem to have the means!
Except for the McMillian family—but no, they would never do such a thing!
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Who could it be?
Who went to such lengths to hurt them?
Eighteen years and they still couldn't live in peace?
"What exactly did Erik discuss with Martin? Could it be he left instructions for after his passing? Could Erik have told Martin who the
mastermind is. If we ask Martin, wouldn't we know?"
But Kenneth's glimmer of hope was quickly extinguished by his daughter's calm response, "He doesn't know."
Their surprise was apparent, even Louisa couldn't fathom it, "Bella, how can you be sure Martin doesn't know the mastermind?"
"He just called me, begging to save Serena. If he knew, he'd have used that information as a bargaining chip by now."
"And he's still pleading for that spoiled brat." Louisa was getting angry, "But Erik isn't stupid. He must have left something for
Serena, something to protect her. There's definitely something we don't know about."
As Louisa spoke, Arabella's phone began to vibrate.
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