The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 1047

Evening.

Yorick had heard about the Perez family's ordeal and, over dinner, he tasked Arthur with a heavy tone, "Since this case falls under your watch, you need to catch the criminal at all costs. We can't let such people off easily!"

Arthur nodded, "Don't worry, dad. They won't get far!"

Yorick then turned to Sasha, his tone softening, "Sasha, don't stress too much. Whatever concerns the Perez family concerns us, the Linklaters. If you need any help, just say the word."

Sasha felt a warmth in her heart, "Thanks, dad."

She then served Yorick a bowl of soup.

Yorick took a sip.

Arthur and Sasha had just started to eat when suddenly,

"Crack!"

Yorick’s face tightened suddenly, clutching his chest, and collapsing onto the table.

Arthur jumped up, rushing over, "Dad, what's wrong?"

The butler was equally startled, rushing to call for help, "Quick, get the doctor!"

Sasha came over, checking Yorick's pulse, her brows furrowing, "It's too late, dad's been poisoned. Lay him flat on his side, quick!"

Arthur did as told.

Sasha swiftly used a needle to induce vomiting, and shortly after, Yorick spat out a mouthful of the clear soup he had just ingested.

Sasha’s eyes turned icy, "The soup was poisoned!"

Arthur’s face turned grim, "Find out who entered the kitchen today. No one gets off the hook."

If it weren't for Yorick drinking that soup earlier,

likely, everyone at the table would have been poisoned by now.

Someone was clearly after the Linklater family's lives!

Daring to poison the Linklaters, he was eager to see who had such audacity.

In the hall,

Arthur, eyeing the staff brought by the butler, questioned each one.

The dozen or so people, who had been with the Linklater family for years, were shocked to hear about the patriarch's poisoning from just a sip of soup.

Arthur scanned the room, his voice cold, "Who was responsible for this soup today?"

Silence fell.

No one dared to take the blame.

Except for one person, trembling uncontrollably, his feet inching backward.

Arthur noticed the odd behavior and grabbed the man, "Trying to run?"

The man, previously cowering, suddenly looked up with a blank stare and constricted pupils.

Before Arthur could react, the man flashed a sinister smile and threw a handful of powder at him.

Arthur sent the man flying and dodged the powder.

But not everyone was so fortunate; those who inhaled it fell to the ground, writhing in agony before dying.

Arthur's eyes darkened, stepping over to the man on the ground.

But before he could examine him, a voice halted him.

"Wait!"

Sasha approached, frowning, "He's covered in a deadly poison. Don't touch him."

Arthur paused, his gaze deepening, "Honey, something's off about this guy. He doesn't seem... right."

Sasha looked at the man’s twisted corpse, speaking softly, "He was controlled."

"A type of dark magic that manipulates the mind, making him act according to someone else’s will, like a puppet."