The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Jade’s fingers are just inches from the bright cap of the mushroom. She turns to flash a sickeningly sweet smile at the camera lens. “I really don’t think they’re toxic. My sister is probably just

overreacting-”

Smack!

Tara lunges forward with terrifying speed, slapping Jade’s hand away with such brutal force that the skin instantly welts a violent shade of red.

Jade winces in pain, her eyes snapping wide open as genuine tears of shock flood her vision. “What is your problem?!” she cries out, cradling her wrist. “You hurt me!”

Tara’s face is a mask of pure ice. She grabs a thick branch, violently uproots the toxic mushroom, and shoves it directly into Jade’s line of sight. “Look at it. It is a Death Cap Mushroom. It is loaded with lethal neurotoxins. One bite will cause severe hallucinations, violent vomiting, and complete organ failure. Did you want to test that theory?”

Her voice isn’t loud, but it radiates an absolute, suffocating authority. The camera zooms in on the terrifyingly vibrant red cap speckled with white dots, looking every bit like a warning from nature.

The live feed erupts into total chaos:

“Holy crap! Tara’s reflexes!”

“Is Jade actually an idiot? Everyone knows bright mushrooms are toxic!”

“Jade was just trying to help, she didn’t know!”

“Tara was way too aggressive! Did she have to hit her that hard?”

“Are you dense? Tara literally told her not to touch it, and she did it anyway. Tara just saved her life!”

The heavy tension in the air is broken when the director frantically waves over the on-set botanist. After a quick inspection, the expert confirms it is indeed a highly lethal Death Cap Mushroom.

Tina crosses her arms, letting out a dark chuckle. “Risking your actual life just to get some screen

time. Pathetic.”

Ana rolls her eyes hard. “Just plain stupid.”

Jade’s face flushes a deep, humiliated crimson. “I… I just wanted to help… Tara, why didn’t you

explain it better…”

Tara completely ignores the pathetic excuse. She turns her sharp gaze to the director. “This area is a breeding ground for toxic fungi. Keep the crew tightly grouped to avoid any lethal mistakes.”

The director mops his face with a towel, nodding frantically. He wanted a hit show, but this level of life-or-death drama is terrifyingly real.

Just as the adrenaline begins to settle, a blood-curdling scream shatters the silence.

Everyone whips around to see Sean, the lead cameraman, collapsing into the dirt, clutching his ankle in pure agony. A thick, banded snake slithers rapidly into the tall grass.

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20:07

Chapter 28

“Oh my god! Venomous snake!” a producer screams.

Total panic erupts. Jade shrieks, stumbling backward and grabbing a grip’s arm. “Director! Get us out of here! I want to leave!”

Ana and Amanda freeze in absolute terror, their faces completely drained of color.

Tara doesn’t hesitate. She sprints across the clearing, dropping to her knees beside Sean. She rips open her heavy canvas bag, pulls out a medical tourniquet, and fiercely binds his leg above the bite

mark.

“Banded Krait. The venom is extremely lethal,” she says, her voice eerily calm as her hands fly. “We have minutes before it attacks his nervous system.”

The director screams into his radio, “Medics! Get the medics up here now!”

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