Chapter 1731

Olivia and Edward had never quarreled before. He became anxious whenever she teased him, feigning anger. Edward was a large, burly man—direct and unromantic, yet always kind to her, a trait Olivia cherished. Lately, his temper had worsened, a consequence she understood given recent setbacks, but she could endure it. However, his words now were deeply hurtful. He told Olivia to leave him and find someone else.

"Who does he think I am?" she wondered aloud. "Can you… repeat that?" she asked, her voice trembling. Her grip on her beer can was so tight it deformed the metal.

Edward remained silent, perhaps regretting his outburst, as he looked at her.

Olivia took a deep breath, then looked at him again. "Edward Sullivan," she began, "let me ask you again: Was it Alexander who pushed you at Burnwken that day? Are you certain of your recollection? Did he leave you there alone, endangering you?"

Before he could respond, Olivia continued, "There's no one else here. I won't tell anyone what you said. This is between us. I just want the truth."

Her eyes shone with unwavering trust. She would believe him, as long as it came from him. All she wanted was the truth.

Edward met her gaze, but Olivia couldn't decipher his thoughts, couldn't see into his heart.

"What I wanted to say, I have said," he replied. "Whether you believe me is your decision." With that, he wheeled himself from the bedroom.

Olivia didn't stop him. She watched him go, a stranger in her eyes.

Beneath a dark cloth lay several neat rows of silver needles. The cloth was old, but the needles gleamed.

Austin stared at them, trembling. "Uncle Dominic, are you…"

"Isn't this what you most wanted to learn as a boy?" Dominic asked indifferently.

"Yes, but…" Austin began.

But Dominic wasn't about to teach acupuncture; he was about to use it on his grandnephew. "I can't determine what's been injected into you, or if it's poisonous," Dominic explained, preparing his tools. "Acupuncture is the only way to force out the toxin."

"Will I be normal again afterward?" Austin asked hopefully.

For two days, though his seizures lessened, he felt himself rapidly weakening. He didn't understand what was happening; years of medical study had prepared him for many illnesses, but none like this. He'd found no unusual drugs in his lab work. What kind of virus is this? he wondered.

Dominic picked up a needle, looked intently at Austin, and smiled. "Not necessarily."

Austin was speechless. Just as the needle approached, voices drifted up from downstairs. Dominic paused, went to the balcony, and peered down. He spotted Lily entering, conversing with a servant.

"Hey, you're just in time!" he exclaimed. Turning back to Austin, he said, "Hold on!"