Chapter 4

After inheriting Grandma’s estate, I moved out of the Spencer house for good and into the hillside mansion she had left me.

The moment I walked through the door, the longtime housekeeper, Mr. Dawson, and the gardener, Mrs. Dawson, hurried over to welcome me.

Mr. Dawson looked to be in his fifties, with a warm, kindly face. Mrs. Dawson was a sturdy, plain-looking woman who seemed honest and hardworking.

“Mr. Spencer, you’re finally home!”

Mrs. Miller’s eyes reddened. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and looked at me with concern.

“Your grandmother would be so happy to know you’ve come home. I made you a special herbal tonic to help you rest. Drink it while it’s still hot.”

She picked up a steaming bowl and offered it to me.

The dark broth gave off a strange medicinal scent.

I was just about to take it when the Ragdoll in my arms suddenly puffed up.

【Fuck! Don’t drink that!】

【These two old assholes aren’t innocent at all! They’re Ryan’s biological parents! The serial killers!】

My hand froze in midair.

Holy hell.

I’d almost walked straight into my death.

Good kitty.

Very good kitty.

The Ragdoll proudly puffed out its chest.

【That soup is loaded with a high dose of hallucinogens. One bowl and you’ll start acting completely insane!】

【Then the Spencer family can have you committed to a psychiatric hospital, declare you mentally incompetent, strip you of control over the inheritance, and put Ryan in charge of everything!】

I lowered my eyes, hiding the murderous chill in them.

I accepted the bowl but didn’t drink.

Instead, I slowly stirred it with the spoon.

Mrs. Dawson stood beside me, a hint of impatience creeping into her voice.

“Drink up, Mr. Spencer. It won’t work as well once it gets cold.”

I suddenly smiled.

“Mrs. Dawson, this smells wonderful.”

I looked up at her, my smile faintly mocking.

“Ryan used to drink your tonics all the time too, didn’t he?”

Her eyes darted away.

She gave an awkward laugh.

“Mr. Spencer, you must be joking. Mr. Ryan is far too important for someone like me to personally make things for him.”

“Is that so?”

I shot to my feet and grabbed her by the collar.

“Well, you’ve worked so hard for the Spencer family all these years. Something this good shouldn’t go to waste.”

I shoved the bowl toward her mouth.

“You drink it first.”

Mrs. Dawson violently twisted her head away, both hands pushing against my wrist.

“No! I can’t! I’m just a servant. How could I possibly drink something prepared for you?”

My gaze turned icy.

“If you’re too scared to drink it, then you must have something to hide.”

Seeing things spiral out of control, Mr. Dawson hurried forward.

“Please calm down, Mr. Spencer! My wife doesn’t know her place and upset you. I’ll take her away and deal with her myself!”

He pried my hand loose and pulled Mrs. Dawson behind him.

The two lowered their heads, but not before shooting me a hateful glare.

Then they practically fled the living room.

I watched them disappear before pouring the poisoned tonic straight down the drain.

Once they were gone, the Ragdoll gracefully jumped onto the dining table and began licking one paw.

【Meow. Don’t celebrate yet, idiot.】

【That worthless fiancée of yours, Lauren, may be stupid, but she’s holding on to a scandal from your grandmother’s past that could destroy everything.】

【Ryan convinced her to expose it at the company gala tomorrow and ruin your reputation in front of everyone.】