Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 753

When Jude knocked on the study door, Elias Winslow was reclining in a leather armchair, listening to a classical aria from *The Empty Fort Strategy*.

The vintage radio crooned the dramatic melody, the drawn-out vocals steady and resonant.

Elias had his eyes half-closed, his fingers tapping a rhythmic beat against the armrest. He didn't even open his eyes at the sound of the door, merely raising a single finger to gesture for the visitor to enter.

Jude stepped up to the desk and dropped the stack of yellowed medical files onto the polished wood with a heavy thud.

Elias finally opened his eyes. When his gaze landed on the yellowed files, his eyelid twitched imperceptibly, but he quickly smoothed his expression back into natural indifference.

"What are you doing barging in here first thing in the morning with a pile of garbage?"

Jude didn't beat around the bush. He flipped straight to the last page and tapped his finger against the diagnosis column. "Grandpa, Great-Grandfather died of a sudden brain hemorrhage. The Ivory Pill doesn't cure acute emergencies like that."

Elias picked up the lukewarm tea by his side, took a slow sip, and set it down methodically. "And your point is?"

"My point is, The Ivory Pill is still with our family." Jude stared him down. "When you told me it had been used, you were lying. Weren't you?"

Elias's gaze lingered on Jude's face for a second before drifting away dismissively. "I have no idea what nonsense you're spouting..."

Seeing that the old man refused to yield, Jude took a deep breath. "Grandpa, Hudson was poisoned. His life is hanging by a thread, and The Ivory Pill is the only cure. Please, just give it to him to save his life. Please."

Elias finally looked up at him, his tone measured and slow. "Jude, do you have any idea how precious The Ivory Pill is? That is an heirloom passed down from your great-grandfather. I plan to use it to extend my own life, and you want me to hand it over to save an outsider?"

"Hudson isn't an outsider." Jude's voice hardened. "He's my friend."

"Your friend?" Elias set his teacup down and leaned forward slightly. "What about me? Who's more important, your friend or your own grandfather?"

"Grandpa, that's completely different."

Jude took a steadying breath. "Hudson was poisoned. This is about saving a life. You want to hold onto the pill just to live a little longer. Besides, you're perfectly healthy. You don't even need the pill right now."

Elias leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his lap. He shook his head slowly at Jude. "Jude, you can talk until you're blue in the face, but I'm not changing my mind..."

He paused, lifting his gaze to meet Jude's, his tone softening slightly. "However... if you really want that pill, there might be some room for negotiation."

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