Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 4

“What kind of person is Honora?”

“She has an excellent reputation. Talented, beautiful—she’s considered the ideal match for many young masters of prominent families in Regal City. That’s how she earned the approval of Zoltan Palmer, the patriarch of the Palmer family, for the marriage alliance.”-

Talented and beautiful, was she?

Larissa wondered just how legitimately Honora had come by her picture-perfect life.

“Understood. Now, find out if Honora is actually Paxton and Vivica’s biological daughter.”

“Boss, why the sudden interest in the Judsons, especially their daughter? What are you planning?”

“I’m thinking of going home for a family reunion.”

A playful glint appeared in Larissa’s deep-set eyes. This new identity as the true heiress of the Judson family was certainly interesting.

She had many identities. The one she used most often was that of a village herbalist. Her daily routine involved cultivating new herbs and developing new remedies with a group of retired biotech researchers who had settled in the village. Over the years, she had cultivated twenty types of rare medicinal plants. Their extremely low yield made them incredibly expensive. Any single plant, if taken to auction in Regal City, could fetch anywhere from a few million to over a hundred million.

Beyond that, she was a master of ancient healing arts. When treating ordinary people in the nearby towns, she charged normal rates. But when summoned by the patriarchs of powerful families, her consultation fee started at ten million. Of course, she guaranteed a full recovery, or she wouldn’t take a cent.

This one identity alone had made her so wealthy that money was practically meaningless. So the idea that her ex-boyfriend, Torrin Dillon, thought she was beneath him was laughable. If she wanted to, she could establish her own dynasty in Regal City without relying on anyone.

She had grown tired of her old identities. It was time to try on a new one.

And besides…

She had to admit, she admired Haskell Palmer. Of all the patients she had treated, none had faced such a sudden, devastating turn of events with such composure. A man with a mind that strong was destined for greatness. It would be a shame for such a handsome and capable man to be crippled.

So, she would heal him.

Nightveil quickly understood. “Understood, Boss. I’ll investigate immediately.”

…

Late that night, as Larissa slept soundly, the crack of splintering wood echoed from outside her door. She shot awake, her head snapping toward the window.

A late-night visitor who made no sound was almost certainly not a villager.

A wild animal? She kept animal-repellent powders both inside and outside her cottage; almost nothing dared to approach.

That meant it was an intruder.

Larissa slipped silently out of bed. By the light of the moon, she crept behind the door and waited.

The man rubbed his wrists. “Okay…”

He didn’t finish the sentence. His expression twisted, and he lunged, aiming a kick at her knee.

But his foot barely lifted before a sharp pain shot through his ankle. A strange numbness spread through his body, paralyzing him. He looked down in horror to see a small black snake latched onto his ankle.

“Snake… How is there a venomous snake…”

Before he could finish, blood spurted from his throat. The large man fell backward, his limbs convulsing for a few seconds before he went still.

Larissa sneered. “Trying to kill me on my own turf? You were asking for it.”

“Alright, Shadow, you can go rest now.”

The snake slithered into a dark corner and disappeared.

Larissa grabbed a hoe, stuffed the man’s body into her large basket, and hoisted it onto her back with surprising ease. She carried the body to her vegetable garden and buried it, a new source of fertilizer for her plants.

Afterward, she took a deep breath, dusted off her hands, and looked up at the waxing moon.

So, the moment she learns of her true identity, someone sends a man to assault her? It seemed someone had sent her a welcome-home gift in advance.