Chapter 3

My blood froze in an instant as I spoke to the man on the other end of the line.

"Just leave it with the security guard at the gate."

But the man refused.

"No, Dr. Fox specifically told me to hand the medicine to you in person."

Some impulse made me ask a question.

"What's your relationship to Dr. Fox?"

"Oh, he's my uncle. I'm his nephew on his cousin's side."

The man answered casually, but I was sure he was lying.

After all, Dr. Fox was only in his early twenties—how could he have a nephew that old?

I quickly sent a message to building security for help, then told the man,

"I've already notified security. They'll be coming down to the underground parking garage to pick up the medicine soon..."

But the man's tone turned flustered.

"I just remembered I've got something to do. I've left the medicine at the entrance of the parking garage. Grab it yourself."

The call cut off. Not long after, building security messaged me to say the medicine had been brought up and left at my door.

As for the suspicious person I'd mentioned, they hadn't found anyone.

I thanked them and quickly brought the medicine inside for my son.

But the suspicion in my heart never faded.

I deliberately told him about the man who'd delivered the medicine.

My son, though, insisted I was overthinking it.

Until I couldn't hold back.

"I just feel like there's something wrong with him!"

"I'm your mother—don't you care about my safety at all?"

Only then did my son reluctantly set down his pen.

"Mom, our complex is fully covered by surveillance cameras. Nobody would be bold enough to try anything."

"If you're really that worried, we can go report it to the police now and file it on record. I'll go with you."

The ease on my son's face didn't look fake.

And I started wondering whether I was just being too sensitive.

After all, he was my own son. How could he do something so monstrous?

Back in my own bedroom, the Auctioneer messaged me again.

I'm so sorry. This "living Buddha" was too cunning—she got away again.

The deal is on hold. Wait for my word.

Something I couldn't put into words churned inside me, but I knew that for now, I was safe.

I locked the door, then wedged the wardrobe and the desk against the bedroom door, and only then did I dare climb into bed.

When I woke the next morning, everything was just like always.

If not for the chat history still on my phone, I'd almost have believed last night was nothing but a nightmare.

I knocked on my son's door and called for him to get up, the same as every morning.

But there was no answer from inside.

It wasn't until something felt off and I pushed the door open that I found my son had slipped into unconsciousness at some point—no matter how I called, he wouldn't wake!

I panicked and immediately called 911 to rush my son to the hospital.

The test results came back fast.

The doctor told me gravely,

"Ms. James, your son swallowed some kind of poison. It's already caused multiple organ failure throughout his body!"

"Our medical resources here are limited. I recommend you transfer him at once to Changhua Hospital next door for treatment!"

My whole body went weak, and I nearly collapsed to the floor.

Without the slightest hesitation, I signed my name on the transfer consent form.

The next second, the phone in my pocket buzzed.

It was a message from the Auctioneer from last night.

Urgent update! The deal is back on—get to Changhua Hospital to collect the goods right away!

This time, I promise there won't be any more problems!