Chapter 105

MR JACOB POV.

“Max has been a loyal colleague for years,” Kenneth had said earlier, his voice full of conviction. “I trust him with my life.”

I scoffed inwardly at the memory. Trust. That was Kenneth’s biggest flaw…he trusted too easily.

And Max had used that to his advantage, worming his way into my brother’s good graces while plotting behind his back.

Kenneth was too blind to see it, too busy basking in the glow of his so-called perfect son-in-law and the upcoming wedding. He couldn’t see the danger lurking right under his nose.

But I could.

I tapped my fingers against the armrest again, my frustration growing. I needed answers. What was Max planning? Why had he eaten the poisoned apple? And why hadn’t he come back yet?

The longer I sat there, the more my suspicions grew. Something was wrong.

I glanced toward the hallway once more, my eyes narrowing. If Max didn’t return soon, I would have to take matters into my own hands.

For now, I would wait. But not for long.

NADIA'S POV.

I pushed open the restroom door, my heart racing as I stepped inside. The sight that greeted me sent a chill down my spine. Max was on the floor, his face pale, his body convulsing slightly as he coughed violently.

“Max!” I rushed to his side, my heels clicking loudly against the tiles. I crouched down, grabbing his arm to try and lift him. He was heavier than I expected, his body almost limp against mine.

“Why... Why did you eat the apple?” I hissed at him, my voice trembling with both anger and fear.

“You knew! You knew it was poisoned because you’re the one who injected it! What were you thinking?”

Max’s lips moved, but no sound came out. His eyes, bloodshot and desperate, locked onto mine as he struggled to breathe. I shook him slightly, my panic rising.

“Say something, Max! What’s going on?”

His hand weakly reached out, clutching at the front of my dress as if trying to steady himself. His lips moved again, and this time I leaned closer, straining to hear.

“Antidote...” he rasped, his voice barely audible.

I froze, my mind racing. “Antidote?” I repeated, my voice shaking. “What antidote? Where is it?”

Max’s head lolled to the side, his breathing shallow as he tried to speak again. “Car...” he whispered, his voice so faint I almost didn’t catch it. “Small... bottle...”

My eyes widened as the realization hit me. There was an antidote in his car. Of course, there was. Max never did anything without a plan.

He had been so confident eating that apple because he believed he had the antidote within reach.

“Small bottle in the car?” I repeated, needing to be sure.

He nodded weakly, his eyes closing for a moment as if even that small motion had drained him.

I swallowed hard, my pulse pounding in my ears. I had a choice to make. Max was clearly in no state to save himself, and if I didn’t act quickly, he might not survive. But a part of me hesitated.

This could be my chance to finally rid myself of him. Max had been a thorn in my side for so long, controlling me, manipulating me. Without him, I could finally be free.

But then another thought crept in. Max was still useful to me. His connections with sniper men and killers, his cunning…it was all part of my plan. If he died now, everything we had worked for would fall apart.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. “Stay here,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I’ll get it.”

Max didn’t respond, his body slumping further against the floor. I stood up, my legs shaky as I hurried out of the restroom.

The hallway felt endless as I made my way toward the front door. My heels clicked against the marble floor, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet house.

My mind raced with a thousand thoughts, each one more chaotic than the last.

I reached the door and stepped outside, the cool evening air hitting my face. Max’s car was parked a short distance away, and I sprinted toward it, my heart pounding in my chest.

MAX POV.

I coughed violently, each spasm ripping through my chest like a hammer kept beating fast against my ribs. My body felt heavy, too heavy to move, too heavy to fight.

The cold tiles of the restroom floor pressed against my skin, but I barely noticed. My mind was racing, filled with one agonizing thought: Am I going to make it?

I never should have eaten that damn apple. I knew better. I knew what was in it because I put it there myself. My own handiwork, now turned against me.

What kind of fool does that? What kind of idiot plays Russian roulette with their own life?

The taste of the fruit still lingered in my mouth, bitter and taunting. I thought I had control, thought I could outsmart everyone in that room.

But now, as my throat burned and my chest heaved, I realized just how reckless I’d been.

I tried to steady my breathing, but each inhale felt like I was swallowing shards of glass. My thoughts spiraled further, a whirlwind of regret and panic.

Why did I trust the antidote would be there? Why didn’t I check my pocket first? Why didn’t I just play it safe?

The room seemed to tilt around me, and I closed my eyes, willing the dizziness to stop. Nadia... where are you? My thoughts turned to her, the only person who could save me now.

I had seen the shock in her eyes when I took that bite, seen her silent warnings, but I had ignored them. I thought I was untouchable, thought I had planned for every possibility.

Now, I wasn’t so sure.

I gritted my teeth, another cough racking my body as I tried to keep myself together. Hurry, Nadia. Please hurry. I didn’t say it out loud…I couldn’t…but I screamed it in my mind.

Every second felt like an eternity, every heartbeat a reminder that time was running out.

I was dying.