Chapter 147

The top-tier VIP ward in the hospital was bathed in dreamy, romantic décor, creating a bright and inviting space. A plush light-blue couch sat beside a gold-trimmed glass coffee table, exuding luxury while maintaining an understated warmth.

Underneath the blue silk sheets, Suzanne curled up, shifting restlessly. A soft whimper escaped her lips. Austin held her tightly in his arms, gripping her wrists firmly yet carefully, afraid of hurting her. But Suzanne was anything but obedient, continually burrowing into his embrace.

Just as Charles, clad in a white coat, stepped through the door, he halted at the sight before him. “Wow, is this a free show?” Feigning modesty, he covered his eyes—yet his fingers remained conspicuously spread apart, afraid of missing anything.

Austin pulled the tall blanket higher, ensuring Suzanne remained covered. His gaze was frosty. “She was drugged,” he said coldly. “Stop standing there and get her the antidote.”

Though Charles was renowned as a top cardiac surgeon, few medical challenges were beyond him. That was why Austin had immediately rushed Suzanne here.

Raising an eyebrow, Charles scrutinized Suzanne’s flushed face. “Damn, she really got hit hard. The dosage wasn’t light.” Examining her further, he glanced at Austin with an amused smirk. “Aren’t you two a couple? You’re literally the best antidote here.”

Was this a joke? Dragging him out in the middle of the night just to rub their affection in his face? Couldn’t Austin show him some mercy? Then, suddenly, his gaze flickered mischievously as he eyed Austin. His smirk deepened. “Or don’t tell me… you can’t perform?”

Austin shot him a lethal glare. “Do you want a one-way ticket to Esparia?”

“Damn!” Charles’ expression instantly darkened; just the thought of being sent to that hellish place wiped the grin right off his face. “That’s straight-up exploitation! You have no soul!!!”

“Hurry up. She’s in pain!” Austin snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Charles, knowing better than to waste time, set aside his teasing and got to work. Austin never loosened his hold on Suzanne. Every struggle from her was pure torture for him.

Suzanne, drenched in cold sweat, felt as if she were suffocating. She felt like a fish stranded on dry land. She had no idea how much time had passed before something cool and soothing trickled into her veins.

The burning sensation gripping her body finally receded, the relief washing over her like a tide. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and her erratic breathing gradually steadied. Only then did the tension in Austin’s body ease.

He gently lifted her chin. Her once rosy lips were now bloodless and marred with cuts; her shoulders and wrists bore deep red marks from being bound, and the imprint of a slap on her cheek stood stark against the rest of her delicate face. Austin’s eyes narrowed, a chilling gleam flickering within them.

Charles, having just finished setting up the IV, turned around and caught sight of Austin’s expression. In his heart, he mourned for whoever had dared cross this man. Messing with anyone else would have been preferable. But provoking a demon?

Yet the fact that someone had been able to administer such a complex drug to Suzanne intrigued him. It suggested the work of a true expert in pharmacology. Were there still such skilled individuals in Dudore? More importantly, why go to such lengths to drug Suzanne?

She was just an ordinary woman, not someone of power. If their goal was simply to kill her, there were far simpler, more efficient poisons available.

Charles studied Suzanne thoughtfully before voicing his suspicion. “Who would do something this cruel?”

“Her family,” Austin said through gritted teeth, his entire being exuding a murderous air that filled the ward.

“What?” Charles’ expression darkened. “Even a tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs. Are they insane? Wait, was it her stepmother?”

Austin’s expression remained ominous. Seeing his reaction, Charles clenched his teeth. “Of course. Mistresses are all the same. If she gets rid of the first wife’s kid, she can take over everything. Damn, Suzanne’s really unlucky.”

He sighed. But Austin’s next words made his eyes widen in shock.

“Her father was involved too.”

“That’s inhuman!” Charles’ fists tightened in anger.

He had always felt an inexplicable fondness for Suzanne. After learning her background, he had even come to see her as family. Her being Austin’s woman practically made her his sister-in-law.

“What are you going to do now?” Charles asked.

Austin’s eyes gleamed coldly. “What do you think?”