Chapter 106

MAX POV.

I couldn’t die here. Not like this. Not sprawled on the floor of a restroom like some tragic fool. I had plans, ambitions.

There was so much left to do, so many people to outwit, so much power to claim.

But the pain... it was relentless, clawing at me, pulling me deeper into a dark abyss. I could feel my strength waning, my body betraying me as the poison worked its way through my veins.

I thought of Kenneth, of how he had trusted me, of how I had fooled him time and time again.

I thought of Jacob, that smug look on his face when he accused me in front of everyone. I had proved him wrong…at least for a moment. But now, lying here, I wondered if he would win after all.

I clenched my fists weakly, the cold sweat on my palms making them slippery. No. He won’t win. I won’t let him.

My thoughts turned to Nadia again. She was my last hope. I had to believe she would come back, that she would find the antidote in my car and save me. But what if she didn’t? What if she left me here to die?

I shook my head slightly, trying to banish the thought. No, she needs me. She wouldn’t abandon me. But doubt lingered, gnawing at the edges of my mind.

I had seen the calculation in her eyes before, the way she weighed her options, always thinking three steps ahead. If she decided I was more trouble than I was worth...

Another violent cough cut through my thoughts, and I gasped for air, my vision blurring. Hurry, Nadia. Please...hurry.

I could feel the darkness creeping closer, an unwelcome shadow hovering just out of reach. My mind raced with regrets, with unfinished business, with things I should have said and done differently.

I thought of the antidote, that small bottle I had so carelessly left in the car. It was so close, yet so far. I had been so confident, so sure of myself. Now, that overconfidence might cost me everything.

As another wave of pain surged through me, I closed my eyes and focused on one thought, one desperate plea: Don’t let me die here.

NADIA'S POV.

I stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding in my chest as reality dawned on me. To get to Max’s car, I would have to pass through the sitting room, right in front of everyone.

I cursed under my breath, realizing the predicament I had put myself in. My steps faltered, and I felt the panic rising.

If I rushed outside without an explanation, they would start asking questions…questions I wasn’t ready to answer.

Think, Nadia. Think.

A plan struck me like lightning. I quickly pulled out my phone, pretending to be engrossed in a call. I pressed it to my ear, keeping my voice low as I muttered a few incoherent words. It wasn’t perfect, but it was all I had.

Straightening my back, I walked calmly through the hallway, making my way toward the sitting room.

As I passed, I could feel their eyes on me…Mr. Jacob’s piercing gaze, Mrs. Daniella’s curious glance, and Kenneth’s distracted expression as he kept talking about Richard. I kept my eyes forward, pretending not to notice.

“...Yes, I’ll handle it,” I murmured into the phone, my tone clipped and businesslike.

When I finally stepped outside, a wave of relief washed over me. I let out a shaky breath, my hand trembling slightly as I lowered the phone. One hurdle down.

I hurried toward Max’s car, fumbling with the handle until it clicked open. Sliding into the driver’s seat, I looked around frantically.

My mind was racing. Max had told me there was an antidote, but he hadn’t said where in the car it was.

I searched the glove compartment first, yanking it open with shaky hands. Papers, receipts, a flashlight…nothing useful. I slammed it shut, biting back a scream of frustration.

“Where is it?” I hissed under my breath, my fingers darting to the cup holders, the side compartments, even under the seats. Still, nothing.

My frustration boiled over, and I slammed my fist against the steering wheel. “Dammit, Max!” I exclaimed, my voice breaking.

I leaned back for a moment, closing my eyes to calm myself. My heart was racing, and my breathing was erratic. I reminded myself where I was…still at the Johnson mansion, surrounded by people who could ruin everything if they caught on.

Stay calm, Nadia. You can’t lose it now.

I took a deep breath and started searching again, this time slower, more methodical. My hands swept across the dashboard, my eyes scanning every nook and cranny. Still, there was no sign of the antidote.

Panic was setting in again. Max was running out of time, and so was I. My mind raced with thoughts of him lying on the restroom floor, coughing, struggling to breathe.

If I didn’t find the antidote soon, he would…

I shook the thought away, refusing to let it take hold.

“No, I can’t think like that,” I whispered to myself.

But the truth was, I was stuck. Max hadn’t told me where the antidote was, and I couldn’t waste any more time searching blindly.

My only option was to go back to him, to see if he could give me more information.

I slammed the car door shut and hurried back toward the mansion. My mind was a blur, a storm of fear and frustration. As I stepped back inside, I barely registered the sound of Kenneth’s voice still droning on about Richard.

I was halfway down the hallway when I heard a voice behind me.

“Nadia.”

I froze, my stomach dropping. Turning slowly, I saw Mr. Jacob standing there, his sharp eyes fixed on me.

“Is everything all right?” he asked, his tone polite but laced with suspicion.

“Yes,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just handling something urgent.”

He didn’t look convinced. “If everything’s fine, why don’t you come sit down? Kenneth is sharing some... interesting stories.”