Chapter 4 Something In The Blood

A single swallow of the antidote erased Isla's rashes, her voice smooth and steady once more.

After grabbing the hospital's address from Brent, she made up her mind to visit her mother, Skylar.

Before she could step out the door, Brent stopped her with a check in hand. "A little spending cash for you. Look after Theodore, and in addition to your payment, you'll get a weekly bonus from me."

Just then, Mila burst in to collect clothes for Kolton's hospitalization, but the words caught her attention, freezing her mid-step. In the past, Brent never extended such favors-none of the eight girls before Isla received more than a curt goodbye and a discreet payment from the butler once they disappeared.

What set Isla apart from all the others?

With a polite thanks, Isla took her leave, brushing past Mila in the hallway. She caught the venom in Mila's glare, but she was unbothered.

The morning's chaos had revealed enough for Isla-she had initially suspected Mila and Kolton of drugging her last night. Oddly, they didn't seem to notice the same irritant powder she'd used on Kolton.

Something about the situation just didn't add up.

On impulse, she sent a quick text, determined to trace all the irritant powder she had made.

A driver arranged by Brent waited for her outside the grand estate. Standing at the entrance, she couldn't shake the eerie sense of being observed.

Her gaze swept the surroundings and landed on a shadowy spot in the southwest corner. Nestled among thick shrubs was a massive black RV-sleek, custom-built, unlike any ordinary vehicle. The way the breeze played through the leaves only added to its mysterious luxury.

A prickle of intuition ran through Isla; she could feel the presence of tight security surrounding the vehicle, heightening her interest.

Drawn by curiosity, she started toward the RV, intent on uncovering its secrets.

Inside, Ian Adams's voice rang out. "She's coming this way." He alerted Theodore to Isla's approach.

Not a word left Theodore as he observed Isla's graceful silhouette. In her eyes, he saw clarity and light-like sunlight on water-making him recall how easily he'd gotten lost in them the night before.

That memory lingered, her gentle touch tightening something deep in his chest.

Meanwhile, Ian caught the way Theodore drifted off and nudged him with a sly grin, sharing the latest security footage. "Boss, this one's different. She's got something none of the other women has."

Theodore sneered, replying, "Planning to chase her yourself?"

His look was enough to make Ian drop his gaze. "Sorry, boss."

A scoff escaped Theodore, unimpressed.

At that moment, a doctor approached with a piece of paper and said with a worried expression, "Sir, your test results are strange. Something unknown showed up in your blood."

Color drained from Ian's face. "What is it? Could this actually hurt him?"

Only calm showed on Theodore's features. He met the doctor's gaze. "Is it a danger or a benefit?"

"Still too early to say," the doctor admitted.

That answer didn't surprise Theodore. Isla was the only one who'd gotten near enough to slip something to him.

Was she an ally-or something else entirely?

Eyes narrowed, Theodore scanned the security video again, pausing on the image of Isla dusting Kolton with the mysterious powder.

Irritant powder, of all things?

The realization made Theodore's stare turn razor sharp.