Over the phone, Sydney noticed nothing amiss. Her thoughts were fixed entirely on Eliana’s condition.
“Diana, I wanted to ask you something, Can we get the antidote today? I just tried calling Raymond, but his line was busy.”
Over the years, Diana had imagined countless versions of the moment she would find Vee again. She pictured herself laughing uncontrollably, or breaking down in tears. Yet now, with every sign pointing to the voice on the other end of the line as the younger sister she had searched for all these years, she felt only flustered.
She was almost afraid. Afraid she might frighten her. Afraid she might ruin this long-lost reunion before it had truly begun.
Diana cleared her throat, forcing down the sting rising in her eyes, and chose her words with care. “The antidote is probably no longer with Megan. But…”
“Megan?” Sydney froze. “This has something to do with her?”
How did Megan suddenly enter the picture? Penelope’s hatred made sense, That had always been expected.
But Megan? They had barely interacted. Could it really be that Sydney’s brief stay at the Hutton residence had sparked such deep resentment that Megan would resort to poisoning someone?
Diana hesitated, unsure how to untangle the history behind it. Since childhood, Megan had targeted Vee, both openly and in secret. At the time, everyone dismissed it as childish jealousy. No one imagined that a little girl could harbor malice so deep.
“That level of poison is not something Penelope could access,” Diana said softly. “Only Megan could obtain it.”
Worried that Sydney might lose hope, she added, “Once Dr. Vermont’s analysis comes back, I will find a way to get the antidote.”
Poisons on the black market varied widely, but every poison had its countermeasure.
On the other end of the call, Sydney fell silent. The reassurance she had felt moments ago slipped away again. Neither Penelope nor Megan had any grievance with Eliana.
There was only one possible reason. They were targeting her. Eliana’s life now hung in the balance because of her.
As if sensing her guilt, Diana spoke again, her voice firm yet gentle. “Sydney, do not blame yourself for someone else’s wrongdoing. We will figure this out together.
“As for Megan, I will get concrete evidence this time. She will pay the price she deserves.” Her enunciation sharpened at the final words.
Whether for this incident or for Vee’s disappearance more than twenty years ago, every debt would be settled. For the Hutton family and Vee.
As for her father’s anger, Diana no longer cared about his objections. This time, she would protect her sister. This time, she was strong enough to do it.
After Raymond finished his call, he noticed Diana staring at her phone. She was usually unshakable, even amid political storms, yet her expression was unlike anything he had ever seen.


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