Chapter 135

"Who would poison the Reverend?" Fred asked.

A young girl burst through the door. Her voice was crisp and domineering. "I was wondering why he couldn't be treated. It turns out he's poisoned! Serves him right!"

The girl wore a black motorcycle outfit and a bold hairstyle: black bangs and long black hair. Her delicate features contrasted sharply with her sharp eyes, betraying a willful nature.

Fred frowned. "Christine, don't talk nonsense!"

Furious, she turned to Emma. "Aren't abbots supposed to renounce worldly desires? He should accept death peacefully. Since he's so sick, let him die! You can't cure such a wicked man who abandoned his family! If you dare treat him, I'll teach you a lesson!" She raised her fist and bared her teeth at Emma.

"Christine, get out!" Fred said angrily.

The girl left.

Emma looked at her retreating back. "Where did that child come from? She's so rude."

Fred looked embarrassed. "She's Reverend Hart's granddaughter."

"Granddaughter?" Emma was astonished. "I thought Reverend Hart was single."

Liam explained, "Otis became an abbot and divorced several years ago. He had a granddaughter he loved very much."

Fred nodded. "That's right. Christine Hart is sixteen this year. Before becoming an abbot, he doted on her. His divorce deeply hurt her, leading to many disputes before his illness. Miss Wilson, please don't mind her."

Emma frowned at the news of Otis's disputes with Christine. "Other than her, was anyone else close to Otis recently?"

"No," Fred replied.

Emma's heart sank. Could Christine have poisoned Otis? she thought. Without evidence, however, she couldn't accuse anyone.

"In short," Emma said, "I will personally monitor everything Reverend Hart eats and drinks. I'll stay in his room tonight."

Otis was an old friend of Liam's grandfather. Simon had offered Emma one million dollars to treat him. While that sum wasn't always sufficient, she felt obligated to do her best, especially given her curiosity about who would attack such a kind man.

As Emma finished speaking, Liam declared firmly, "I'll accompany you."

Emma nodded solemnly. "Okay!"

That night, in the abbot's room, Emma had a suspicion about the poison used. If she was correct, it was a slow-acting poison requiring daily administration. Under her supervision, no one had poisoned Otis during the day, leading her to believe the culprit would strike at night.

Late at night, Liam, concerned about Emma's fatigue, suggested, "Emma, you should rest. I'll watch over him."

Emma gently held Liam's hand. "It's alright. I'm not tired with you here."

A work call interrupted Liam. To avoid disturbing Otis, he patted her head. "I'll take this call outside."

"Okay, go ahead," Emma said.

After Liam left, Emma guarded the room alone. Fortunately, she'd rested earlier; otherwise, she wouldn't have lasted.

Emma stretched, then a figure leaped in through the window. Instinctively alert, she stood, shouting, "Who's there!"

Her quick reaction prevented a dagger, flashing coldly, from severing an artery. The attacker aimed to kill her, clearly angered by her revelation of Otis's poisoning. The attacker attempted to flee through the window.

"Stop!" Emma grabbed the attacker's neck.

The attacker feigned a stab, but Emma shifted her grip, seizing their clothing. "You're not getting away."

"Oh yeah?" A voice changer masked the attacker's gender. "What if I kill him?" The attacker hurled an object at Otis.

Emma, fearing for Otis, turned and retrieved a black bead, allowing the attacker to escape.

"Liam!" she called.

Hearing the commotion, Liam rushed in, but as Emma opened the door, a figure in black held a knife to her neck. The grip, though fierce, trembled slightly.

"Don't move!" the attacker hissed.

Emma smiled coldly. "Kill me?"

The attacker gritted their teeth, clutching the knife. "Let me go, or I'll kill your girlfriend!"

Liam knew the attacker's skills were mediocre; even without releasing them, they couldn't kill Emma. However, seeing Emma's silent plea, he said, "Let her go, and I'll let you go."

The attacker's eyes darkened. Confirmed of Liam's honesty, they fled, leaving Emma unharmed.

Unfazed, Emma watched them go. Her eyes narrowed. She'd applied a special, undetectable powder to herself. Only a special potion could remove it.

"The church is sealed at night," Emma observed, glancing at Liam. "This person is from within. Tomorrow, my UV pen will reveal who poisoned Otis."

The next day, Emma gathered the staff in the courtyard, announcing she'd found the culprit. The revelation of a mole among them sent shockwaves through the group. Accusations and outrage filled the air.

Emma held her ultraviolet pen, ready to expose the guilty party. Fred, the oldest staff member, directed everyone to line up. Emma activated the pen, the cold purple beam prepared to reveal the truth.