Chapter 182
hapter 184
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Chajes wore an over-the-top bumble expression, all but shrugging off the family’s astonishment.
The room, once filled with the quiet hum of relief, was now heavy with tense curiosity.
Dr. Vincent was still reeling from the shock when he practically shouted, “Of course! It was the Miracle Pill! That’s why it worked so damn fast p>
Sophia’s brow furrowed. “Miracle Pill? Are we supposed to know what that is p>
Vincent’s eyes glistened with something close to fanatic awe.
“They call it a miracle for a reason. It’s so rare, it practically doesn’t exist. Legend says it was crafted by some old sage who lived-wait for it-five hundred years p>
His words set the Lancaster family abuzz. Some whispered in disbelief; others stared, transfixed
“And the person who got it from,” Vincent added, voice low and dramatic, “claimed she nearly sold her soul just to lay hands on one p>
A collective gasp rippled through the family.
A pill so powerful it could haul someone back from death’s door? It sounded like the stuff of fever dreams.
“I even heard a single dose can go for over a hundred million dollars.” Vincent’s voice cracked under the weight of that staggering figure.
That revelation practically knocked the wind out of the room.
No one spoke, but the looks on their faces spoke volumes.
Then Jack broke the silence with an unfeeling snort. “What a damn waste,” he muttered, every syllable dripping
contempt.
“All that money spent on an old man who won’t be around much longer? Think of what we could’ve done for our kids our grandkids-if we’d sold it! But hey, guess we just toss money down the drain now, right p>
His words rang like a death knell.
A grim truth sank in. The hushed glances the Lancaster family exchanged turned pointed and suspicious.
It was as if, in unison, they shifted their hostility toward Alex, painting him as the villain who’d just squandered the family’s golden ticket.
Vincent seized the moment, glaring at Alex with renewed confidence. “So that’s how you pulled off your little magic trick. You took credit for something the Miracle Pill did. You’re not a genius doctor-you’re a con man p>
He paused, then snapped his fingers in realization. “Wait a minute… you must’ve stolen it from Charles! You pathetic thief. You’re gonna pay for that p>
Alex kept his composure, though his patience was nearing its limit. “Steal? Me?” he scoffed. “I’m not that kind of lowlife p>
Jack folded his arms, voice dripping venom. “So you’re telling me you can just drop a hundred m Yeah, right p>
Charles took a delicate step forward, putting on his saintly concerned” face. 1 on a pill?
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“Let’s sée, Alex. Must’ve come from my dear little sister, Jasmine. That means you snatched it from me, indirectly p>
Alex held Charles’s gaze. “She gave me the pill. I didn’t steal a thing p>
Charles responded with a lifeless laugh.
“Yeah, well, she ‘stole’ it from me first. So you’re just as guilty by association.
You’ve taught her to lie, to cheat me out of what’s mine. How does it feel to groom someone into betraying family p>
His words spread like poison gas, infecting the air and fueling the Lancaster family’s suspicion.
Heads shook. Mouths twisted in disgust or pity, no one entirely sure where they stood-but it wasn’t on Alex’s
side.
Florence snapped first. “Alex! Don’t you have a shred of dignity? This entire stunt- stealing some precious medicine-just to impress us p>
“Can you believe we almost bought into his stupid hype?” someone else chimed in, voice dripping with scorn.
“He’s got zero skills and clearly no morals, either. Great job pulling the wool over our eyes, Alex. Bravo p>
One after another, they joined in with sneers and insults, the atmosphere bristling with contempt.
Sophia’s voice rose above the angry crowd, shaky with disbelief. “Alex… tell me why. Why would you do this?” She looked anguished, like someone had just told her Santa Claus wasn’t real
“I really, truly believed you had some gift. But all this time, you were stealing from Charles p>
Alex’s jaw tightened. His eyes flashed with an icy resolve as he surveyed the hostile faces.
“I’ll say it again. I. Did. Not. Steal. Anything. Jasmine gave it to me as a gift- freely p>
Charles put on a contrite smile, raising his hands in a show of benevolence. “Everyone, he’s right. It was a gift from Jasmine, so Alex did nothing wrong. Please, let’s not accuse him any further,” Charles said, his voice soft and reasonable the perfect mask of innocence.
He exhaled theatrically, as though he were the real victim.
The family paused, silent just long enough to let suspicion settle more deeply on Alex.
Florence broke that silence, practically hissing, “What, so he gets off scot-free because of some sweet talk? He needs to kneel. Right here. Right now. And grovel for forgiveness p>
A chorus of approval erupted:
“Kneel and apologize, Alex p>
“You worthless piece of trash-stealing and strutting around like a hero p>
“Someone ought to lock you up for this p>
Jack turned to Charles, eyes brimming with malice. “Why not just send him packing to jail? Show him the consequences of messing with you p>
Charles let out a world-weary sigh, shaking his head. “No. That would hurt Jasmine. I can’t do that to her p>
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“Charles, you’re way too nice,” Dr. Vincent snarled, stepping up and grabbing Alex’s shoulder in a tight clamp,
“This piece of garbage needs a lesson. You’d better start kneeling and begging or you’ll regret it p>
Slowly, Alex turned his head, his expression dark and foreboding. “Take your hand off me p>
Vincent’s lips curled. “Or else what? Gonna slap me with your miracle pill, too? Who do you think you’re messing with p>
SMACK!
A sharp crack split the air. Vincent staggered back, nearly losing his balance.
All eyes locked on Alex in horror-and a hint of admiration for the sheer audacity. “You… you hit me?!” Vincent choked out, pressing a trembling hand to his burning cheek.
Alex shrugged, unbothered. “Sure did. You want an invitation next time p>
Vincent’s face blazed red with fury. “You miserable punk. You think you can get away with this? That was a big mistake, boy. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll drop down right now and beg me not to ruin you p>
Alex’s voice was like steel. “Beg you? As if you deserve that p>
Vincent’s nostrils flared. “Fine. You asked for this p>
He fumbled for his phone, stabbing at the screen to call someone-someone who
could presumably make Alex’s life hell.
Charles’s sneer grew more pronounced as he sidled up to Alex.
“If I were you, I’d get on my knees for Dr. Foster. Do you have any idea how
connected he is? You’re not just going up against one man. He’s got Dr. Owens and the entire Owens family in his corner p>
Alex just gave him a cool look. “I’m supposed to care p>
Charles blinked, momentarily stunned by the apparent idiocy of that response.
Then he laughed bitterly, shaking
his head.
“Good God, you’re dense. You’re about to make the whole damn world your enemy. You might not care about that, but when they come for you, they’ll come for the Lancasters, too p>
He leaned in, voice cutting like a knife. “You’re a walking disaster for this family p>
And once again, Charles had successfully painted Alex as the villain – the disease
the family was desperate to
purge. 13
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Chapter 185
Chapter 185