Chapter 5 - The Unseen Trap
By 7:30 a.m., the estate was bathed in a pale, gray morning fog.
Adeline sat in the small medical laboratory in the basement, carefully transferring the contents of two distinct medicine vials.
Nico’s real nerve-blocker compound—the toxic dose delivered by Dr. Vance—was drawn out using a sterile syringe and emptied into a sealed biohazard container. In its place, Adeline refilled the delivery vial with a harmless saline solution mixed with a mild, temporary muscle relaxant that would simulate fatigue without harming a single cell in his body.
The elevator doors chimed behind her.
Edna, the housekeeper, stepped into the lab, her eyes nervous as she looked around.
"Adeline," Edna whispered, stepping close. "Julian’s men are downstairs in the security room. They've replaced the morning staff. Something big is happening today."
"I know, Edna," Adeline said, sealing the modified vial into her medical kit. "Did you manage to get the message to Wes's hospital?"
"Yes," Edna nodded. "Your brother is fully registered for his cardiac procedure next Monday under a private anonymous trust fund set up by Mr. Alfieri last night. No one in this house can touch those funds."
Adeline’s heart swelled with intense warmth. Even while fighting for his own life, Nico had remembered his promise to protect her little brother.
"Thank you, Edna," Adeline said softly.
"Be careful down there," the old woman warned, touching Adeline’s arm. "Julian Alfieri has never let anyone stand in his way. He killed Nico's father fifteen years ago... even if nobody could ever prove it."
Adeline froze. "What?"
"It wasn't a sudden stroke," Edna whispered bitterly. "It was the same thing. A slow, quiet medicine that made his heart give out. Don't let him do it to the boy."
Adeline picked up her medical kit, her jaw set with unwavering resolve. "He won't."
She rode the elevator up to the master floor.
When she entered the master suite, Dr. Vance was already standing by the bed, wearing his professional white coat, holding a small silver tray with a loaded syringe.
Julian Alfieri stood near the fireplace, sipping espresso, while Camille Ashcroft leaned against the vanity table, her arms crossed, a cold, expectant smirk playing on her lips.
Nico sat in his wheelchair near the window, looking pale, tired, and completely defenseless—exactly as the muscle relaxant was designed to make him appear.
"Ah, Nurse Marsh," Dr. Vance said smoothly, offering a fake, professional smile. "You're just in time. I was about to administer Mr. Alfieri’s morning intravenous neurological boost."
"I'll handle it, Doctor," Adeline said, stepping forward and taking the tray from his hands. "It's my responsibility."
Julian stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. "Let the doctor do his job, girl. You're just a hired hand."
"No," Nico’s voice came out, surprisingly weak, raspy, and slurred. "Let... let Adeline do it. I trust her."
Camille laughed softly, shaking her head. "Look at him, Julian. He can barely speak. He won't survive until the weekend."
Adeline picked up the syringe containing the safe saline solution, wiping Nico’s arm with an alcohol pad. She met Nico's eyes for a fraction of a second, communicating a silent signal.
She drove the needle into his IV line, slowly depressing the plunger.
Nico let out a soft groan, his head falling back against the headrest, his eyes closing completely as his body went limp.
"It is done," Dr. Vance declared, taking a deep breath and wiping his hands with a tissue. "His vitals will drop steadily over the next two hours."
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Julian smiled—a terrifying, triumphant grin. He pulled out his cell phone, dialing a number.
"Arthur," Julian said into the speaker. "Tell the board members to convene at the estate by eleven o'clock. Nico has suffered a terminal relapse. We will assume full control of the Alfieri syndicate today."
