The antidote smoothly trickled down Everett’s throat.
After administering the liquid, everyone waited in silence. One minute passed. Then five. Then ten...
But Everett still didn’t wake up.
Mr. Langston, growing restless, slamd his cane against the floor. "What’s going on? Why hasn’t he woken up yet?!"
"Please be patient, sir. Most dicines take at least thirty minutes to take effect."
"Nonsense! If it were poison, it would’ve worked in minutes!"
The old man snorted, clearly annoyed, and shot Aurora a harsh glare. "You little troublemaker! You tell —what’s happening here?"
A low, magnetic voice interrupted the tense room. "Why’s it so noisy?"
Mr. Langston gasped in delight and imdiately clutched Everett’s hand. "Everett! You’re awake?!"
Aurora’s heart leapt with joy. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms—but she forced herself to stay still.
Everett blinked a few tis, groggily taking in the faces around him. "What’s going on? Dad... Why are you here? Tobias... Aurora?"
He sat up like he’d simply taken a nap, without the slightest sign of illness.
"It’s a long story. Son, do you feel any discomfort at all?"
Mr. Langston was nearly in tears from relief. Then he turned to Will. "Quick, call the doctor! Tell him the young master’s awake! And have this vial analyzed imdiately!"
Will nodded and left the room.
Everett looked at Aurora, really looked at her, as if seeing a dream. Her bright, tear-rimd eyes were filled with emotion too deep to na.
"Aurora... why are you here? Is it because you..."
He didn’t finish the sentence. Missed too much—those words stayed locked behind his naturally reserved nature.
Still, he felt an overwhelming warmth. Waking up and seeing the woman he loved—what better way to return to the world?
"Everett, listen to . You can’t be with her anymore."
Mr. Langston’s brows furrowed in disapproval. "Her Grandma Carter’s old fla has his eye on you. He wants to test you. Do you know you’ve been asleep for eight days after taking that damn old man’s so-called ’dicine’?!"
Everett’s face darkened instantly. Eight days? He had no idea he’d been out that long.
"This has nothing to do with Aurora," Everett said coldly. "My life is my business."
"I feel fine. Like I just woke up from a long nap. Actually, I’m starving. Can soone please get dinner started?"
"Yes, yes! Get the kitchen ready!" Mr. Langston quickly barked orders. "And you’re not going anywhere yet. We’ll do a full check-up just to be sure everything’s okay!"
anwhile, Aurora stood with her head bowed low, her fingers clenched so tight inside her pocket that her nails dug into her palm.
"I’m sorry, Everett. This is all my fault... From now on... let’s not see each other again," she said quietly, her voice trembling.
She couldn’t bear the thought of him being dragged through so twisted test because of her.
"What are you talking about?! Stop right there!" Everett shouted as Aurora turned to leave. He tried to go after her but was restrained by Mr. Langston and a bodyguard.
Aurora fled the room in tears. Even after she’d run far, Everett’s furious roars echoed in her ears—burning into her heart like a brand.
It was hard to believe that this usually cold, composed man could lose his temper so violently. And yet, here he was—completely unhinged because of her.
Everett watched her disappear and exploded with rage. He shoved one bodyguard aside and yanked his hand free from Mr. Langston’s grip.
"You reckless idiot!" the old man roared. "Don’t you care about your life? That woman’s a magnet for danger, and you’re still chasing after her?"
"Do you think you’re being fair to ? I’m your father! And you’d throw your life away for so woman?!"
Everett was panting, his brows furrowed in frustration. Aurora had clearly felt sothing for him—but then that crazy old man had co out of nowhere and ruined everything. He couldn’t accept it.
He was not willing to give up!
As Everett gradually cald down, Mr. Langston let out a long sigh. "There are plenty of won in the world. You could have anyone. Why her?"
"Why were you so obsessed with Gianna when you were young?" Everett sneered. "You won’t let be with her, huh? Then tell —what’s the point of being alive? Don’t you know how much I hated won? It took everything in to finally fall for one—and you’re getting in the way!"
"It’s not getting in the way—it’s that damned old man!" Mr. Langston snapped, furious. "We cannot afford to offend soone like him!"
"Don’t lump in with your cowardice. I can afford to offend him." Everett smirked coldly. Honestly, the old guy didn’t seem malicious—just bored and testing him.
If the man really wanted him dead, wouldn’t he already be dead by now?
"In any case, you’re never seeing her again!"
"Never seeing her again? You want to die, is that it?" Everett’s voice chilled. "You know I had depression, right? Since she ca into my life, it disappeared without any treatnt!"
"Don’t be ridiculous. That was depression?" Mr. Langston scoffed. "If you really had it, it wouldn’t just disappear. It’s incurable—you can only manage it. What you had was just self-pity."
Everett looked at the man he had respected all his life—his father, his idol.
Even if his father had chosen terrible won, at least he had taken responsibility and never abandoned them. But the result? His son was left suffocating.
"Well done," Everett muttered bitterly, dropping back onto the bed with an air of indifference.
Mr. Langston snorted and stord toward the door. "Keep a close eye on the young master. Don’t let him take a single step out of the hospital!"
"Yes, sir!"
The guards outside the room were all Mr. Langston’s n. They only answered to him.
Tobias stood to the side, worry written all over his face. Judging from the look on Everett’s face... was he really going to starve himself?
Sure enough, when dinner was brought in, Everett didn’t even glance at it.
Mr. Langston didn’t panic. He had the doctors run a full battery of tests to check for side effects.
Blood work and other results eventually ca back clean. Everett’s body was in perfect condition, and only then did Mr. Langston finally relax.
But Everett really did go on a hunger strike.
Mr. Langston was livid but decided to wait him out.
Day two. Still no food.
Will and the others were beginning to panic.
Everett either slept or lay there texting Aurora. She had turned off her phone—calls went straight to voicemail.
By day three, Everett was so weak he could barely move. He lay on his back, eyes closed, lips dry and cracked. The only thing he had consud was a little water.
Mr. Langston finally gave in. Faced with his stubborn, half-dead son, he could only back off.
Better to let him chase the girl than let him die, Mr. Langston figured. He knew his son well—when Everett made up his mind, not even a thousand oxen could drag him back.
"Young master, please eat sothing! Miss Wilson has already left Country Y. The old master said if you want to go after her, then go!"
Tobias burst into the room, breathless, and gave the nearly lifeless Everett the ssage.
Everett slowly opened his eyes. "Hmm... then have soone bring dinner."
Everyone in the room looked stunned. Their jaws practically hit the floor.
He looked like he was on death’s door—and yet he said it so casually, so elegantly. Then, with practiced grace, he sat up like nothing had happened. The man looked like a damn magazine ad.
It was... honestly hard to watch.
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