A small frown appears on my face, did the doctors leave this behind? No, the sedative Kendrick was given wasn't colorless.

Hmm, the more I stare, the more my curiosity piques. ‘This can't be water, right?’ I ask inwardly. Even if it is a drug, what are the possibilities that Kendrick is doing drugs in secret?

My gut tingles with an uneasy feeling and I bite down on my lower lip. Instantly, an image of Doctor Louis flashes into my mind. Being a specialist, he can be able to tell me whether or not this is a drug and if I should be worried or not.

I walk down the stairs slowly, contemplating whether or not having the syringe tested is a good idea. The tip of my ears tingle, and the silence is abruptly shattered by the sudden sound of hurried footsteps behind me.

I attempt to glance over my shoulder but Zoey darts past me, knocking me off balance as she speeds down the stairs, a bag strapped to her back. She doesn't acknowledge me.

I quickly grasp onto the handrail, supporting my almost falling weight. I stare at her back, she says nothing, rudely ignoring me.

I purse my lips, and a flicker of annoyance flashes in my eyes. I blow a raspberry, pushing what happened over my shoulders.

Zoey rushes to Rose who has a wide grin on her face in contrast to the cold shoulder I've received. They both ignore my presence as I walk out through the door.

“Elodie? You're leaving?” Luke's voice stops me mere steps from the door. I turn back, meeting his gaze.

I glance at Zoey and Rose, their faces, which were filled with smiles, now a canvas art of frowns and discontent.

I sigh as Luke walks up to me. “I need to get to work” I respond calmly.

Luke's brows knit in worry. “You were just involved in an accident; you need rest, not work,” he says, trying to persuade me. Too bad my mind's already been made up.

I'm only marrying into the Hollands for the 5 billion dollar contract. When the five years are up, I'll have only me to depend on when caring for my father and myself. Slacking off work now, or being lazy, isn't an option for me.

“It's okay,” I assure him with a smile. “My head doesn't hurt at all now” I lie through my teeth— It still stings back there…… a lot.

Luke exhales in defeat, “At least let me drive you,” he offers, and I shake my head. I know it sounds selfish, but relying on Luke's kindness too much will put me at a disadvantage. Accepting too many favors from him will only entangle me deeper in his debt.

Plus, now that only he cares for my well-being, it'll cause the others to resent me more.

“I'll manage, thanks.” I turn around to leave, sparing myself the dirty look coming from Rose and the glaring arrows coming from Zoey.

Minutes later, I walk into the company's threshold, Echoes Essence Media Corp. As I approach the elevator, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. Instinctively, I look back.

“Mr Lee?” I stare at him, half amused; it's unlike him, the CEO, to joke around with his employees. I quickly fix my face “Good morning, sir,” I say,

He greets me with a wide smile before stepping into the elevator. I halt, watching the doors close. I tilt my head, his cheery attitude is suspicious but I brush it off my shoulder.

Around noon, 12:05 pm,

With uncertain steps, I walk down the hospital's corridor. “Doctor Louis?” I open the door after a series of knocks and step in.

“Elodie?” Doctor Louis looks up from the paperwork on his table, greeting me with a smile. I respond in the same manner, and he gestures to me to sit down.

“Have you come to visit your father?” He asks, returning to his papers.

I shake my head slowly “No.” Doctor Louis's gaze snaps back up, his brows furrowing.

Without him asking, I pull out a small plastic bag in which I kept the syringe and pass it on to him. His expression transforms from curiosity to surprise as he accepts the bag “What's this?” He asks, his forehead puckering.

“I'm not entirely sure,” I admit. “That's why I need the contents to be tested out. Can you analyze it for me, Dr Louis?” I try to sound as reasonable as I can.

Doctor Louis stares at me for a bit before removing his rectangular glasses. I bite my lip, anticipating a refusal but he nods before standing up.

It's been five minutes or more since Doctor Louis left, and I've been knitting my sweating fingers nervously. The oppressive silence only adds to my anxiousness. I'm eager, not desperate, to know what's in that syringe.

At the sound of the door clicking open, I look behind. My anxious eyes meet Doctor Louis's equally tensed gaze. He hurries to his desk after securing that his door is locked.

He sinks into his chair with an uneasy expression, causing my nervousness to shoot up.

His voice, low and tense; he lifts the plastic bag to my view. “Where did you find this?”

I pause, unable to answer. I didn't think he'd ask about its whereabouts. If I tell him the truth, he'll find out about my secret marriage to the Hollands, and being father's close friend, he might disclose my marriage to father.

I stutter as I answer “I'm afraid I…. can't say”

Doctor Louis stays quiet a bit, his eyes sizing me. He says, “Elodie, you're not involved in anything illegal, are you?”

What? I lean back, “What is that supposed to mean, doctor Louis? What's the liquid?” I return the question.

Doctor Louis folds his arms across his chest, “What you've got there is what we in the medical field call a Neurotoxicity Crisis”

“Neurotoxicity Crisis?” I repeat his words, my curiosity piquing. “What does that mean?”