Chapter 708
Though his location still showed as active and nearby, someone appeared to be manipulating the situation maliciously. Alicia quickly checked the room for alarm systems, finding them disabled before her arrival.
A soft noise from the bathroom caught her attention. Quickly grabbing a weapon, she held it firmly. The bathroom door creaked open, and a disheveled man staggered out, visibly weak, his face flushed, and movements unsteady.
He recoiled at the sight of Alicia. "Mr. Langstaff?" she asked incredulously.
Fear filled Blake's eyes. "Keep your distance!" he gasped, his speech slurred. "Alicia, stay back."
Recognizing the signs of drugging—a past experience—Alicia noted Blake's soaked clothes and erratic behavior. They were alone. Despite knowing him, Alicia didn't lower her weapon, concealing it as she took a step back.
"Mr. Langstaff, what brings you here?" she asked, noting he hadn't completely lost control. "Who did you meet with earlier?"
Blake grimaced. The drug was unfamiliar, even to him, and attempting to cool down in cold water had only worsened the symptoms. Turning away, he muttered, "I was supposed to be on a flight tonight. After drinking coffee, I blacked out and found myself here."
Realizing he could offer no further information, Alicia considered her next steps. This felt like a Moss family attack, aimed at harming her through Blake. While not closely related to Caden, hurting Blake would undoubtedly worsen Caden's already difficult situation.
She tried calling the police, only to discover the phone service had been disconnected. Her last recourse for help was gone. Frustration tightened her jaw.
Blake, still fighting the drug's effects, began tearing at his clothes, his hands and feet bound in a desperate attempt to regain control. "Alicia, keep your distance," he urged weakly. "I can handle the pain as long as you don't get close."
Alicia’s eyes darted around the room, searching for a way to signal for help. An unusual doll on the TV cabinet caught her attention. One of its eyes glowed red—a hidden camera.
Quickly dismantling it, a mist erupted, filling the air with a sharp, pungent scent. Overwhelmed, Alicia's thoughts blurred before she collapsed, succumbing to the gas.