Chapter 5: Reunion at the Laboratory

Without waiting for Kyle's reaction as he remained frozen in place, Ravelle turned the handle of the mansion's double doors, stepped outside with her back perfectly straight, and shut them with a firm click that echoed loudly.

“Ravelle! Wait!” Kyle shouted after his ego as the head of the household finally recovered.

His sense of superiority had been disturbed by the cold rebellion Ravelle had never displayed throughout the past ten years.

The man was about to chase after her when a soft hand with glittering nails caught his wrist.

“Let her go, Darling,” Jessica whispered in a voice deliberately made as soft as silk. “Maybe she's just being sensitive because her headache hasn't gone away yet. Don't let her ruin your mood today.”

“That's right, Daddy! Just let that woman go!” Calysta chimed in, stomping her foot on the floor. “She dared to scold me and Mommy Jessica! Let her go see her friends!”

Hearing the encouragement from the two people he spoiled the most, Kyle stopped in his tracks.

His jaw tightened as he stared at the firmly closed door.

A strange uneasiness flickered in the corner of his heart—a primitive instinct telling him that he had just lost control of something significant—but he chose to dismiss it arrogantly.

“Yes, let her go,” Kyle muttered coldly, deciding not to concern himself with his wife any longer.

Meanwhile, Ravelle had no intention of wasting her energy thinking about the insects inside that mansion.

The moment she left the elite residential complex, she hailed a commercial taxi bound for Jhins International Hospital—the most prestigious private medical center in the country, renowned for possessing the most advanced toxicology laboratory in existence.

Throughout the journey, Ravelle maintained a firm grip on her Hermès bag.

Inside it was the sterile sample bottle containing the jasmine tea prepared by Soraya.

That bottle was no longer merely evidence.

It was the first piece of ammunition she would use to blow apart the mask of her fake marriage.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Ravelle passed through the VIP lobby and headed directly to the top floor, a private area reserved exclusively for specialist laboratories and executive offices.

Several imposing men in black suits guarded the corridor.

“I'm sorry, Ma'am. This area requires an appointment and high-level authorization...” a laboratory assistant stopped her in front of the thick glass doors.

Ravelle did not retreat even an inch.

She lifted her chin, radiating the aristocratic aura she had suppressed for the past ten years.

“Tell your director that Ravelle Caleste Branson is here to see him.”

The assistant visibly startled at the Branson surname—the family at the very peak of the conglomerate pyramid that controlled a third of the nation's economy.

Without wasting a second, he immediately pressed the intercom.

However, before he could speak, the automatic glass doors behind him slid open abruptly.

A tall man with a powerful physique stepped out.

The white doctor's coat he wore was incapable of concealing the dominant aura and overwhelming charisma of a corporate ruler.

He possessed a sharp jawline and eyes as keen as an eagle's.

Yet the moment his gaze landed on Ravelle, every trace of intimidation in his eyes melted away.

He was Erlan El Salvador Jhins, often called “El” by those closest to him.

In addition to being known as a genius doctor educated in Germany, he was also the CEO of Jhins Group—the medical giant that monopolized hospital networks across multiple continents.

Most importantly, Erlan was Ravelle's childhood friend and the man who had fiercely opposed her decision to leave the Branson family for Kyle Stevens ten years ago.

“Ravelle? Is that really you?”

Erlan's deep voice carried disbelief, yet there was restrained emotion shining within his eyes.

Ravelle looked at her old friend, slightly stunned to see how the boy she used to argue with had transformed into one of the most influential men in the medical industry.

“El... it's been a long time.”

The moment he saw Ravelle's pale face and the faint shadow of exhaustion beneath her eyes, the smile on Erlan's face slowly disappeared, replaced by profound concern.

He signaled for the assistant to leave, then guided Ravelle into his private soundproof office.

“What happened, Vel?” Erlan asked directly without wasting time, his voice filled with absolute protectiveness. “You disappeared for ten years because of that Stevens bastard. And now you suddenly show up in my laboratory looking this thin?”

Ravelle did not cry.

She placed her bag on Erlan's mahogany desk, removed the sterile sample bottle containing the brownish liquid, and pushed it toward him.

“I need the capabilities of your private laboratory, El. Find out what substance is contained in this tea.”

Ravelle's eyes gleamed as cold as ice.

Erlan frowned, staring at the bottle before looking back at Ravelle.

“What is this, Vel? Did that bastard...”

“They've been poisoning me slowly for years,” Ravelle interrupted.

Her voice sounded remarkably calm, which somehow made the situation even more terrifying.

“The housekeeper, my husband, and his secretary... they're working together. I need a laboratory report that is legally admissible so I can bring them down without leaving any loopholes. How long do you need?”

The moment he heard the word poisoning, Erlan's jaw hardened instantly and the veins in his neck tightened.

An overwhelming rage thundered inside his chest, but he forced his mind to remain rational for Ravelle's sake.

He picked up the bottle and glanced at the wall clock.

“Chronic chemical compounds require layered extraction before they can be used as authentic evidence in court. I'll personally oversee this analysis in my private internal laboratory,” Erlan said firmly. “The results will be ready at exactly eight tonight. You can stay here, Vel. This place is safe.”

Ravelle slowly shook her head.

“No, El. I have to return to that mansion.”

Deep inside, she thought, 'Because tonight Kyle is hosting a dinner to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary. I have to be there to make sure he continues believing that I'm still under his control.'

Erlan looked at her disapprovingly, worried about her safety.

However, upon seeing the intelligence and iron determination in Ravelle's eyes—the gaze of a true Branson—he finally relented.

“Fine. But take this.”

Erlan opened his desk drawer, took out a minimalist yet elegant smartwatch, and personally fastened it around Ravelle's left wrist.

“This is directly connected to the Jhins Group security satellite network. If anything urgent happens, press the side button for three seconds. My security team will tear down the Stevens mansion in less than five breaths.”

Ravelle felt warmth flow into her heart after such a long time.

She smiled sincerely—the first genuine smile she had shown in a very long time.

“Thank you, El.”

“I'll contact you at exactly eight tonight,” Erlan promised, his eyes fixed directly on Ravelle's.

Ravelle turned around and walked out of the room.

Erlan stood at the doorway with his arms folded across his chest, watching the woman's upright figure slowly disappear behind the VIP elevator doors.

After Ravelle's silhouette completely vanished, Erlan drew a deep breath.

A cold yet meaningful smile formed at the corner of his firm lips.

“After your grandfather told me that you would be returning to the Branson residence in three days...” Erlan murmured to the silent corridor, his eyes shining with obsession and protectiveness that he had suppressed for an entire decade. “...I immediately canceled all of my symposiums in Europe and flew back to this country overnight, Vel.”

Erlan clenched his fists inside the pockets of his doctor's coat.

“Ten years ago, I let you break your own wings for that man because I respected your choice. But now, when you've decided to become an eagle once again...” Erlan paused, his gaze shifting to the bottle of poison in his hand. “...I won't just help you destroy Stevens Corporation if that's what you want, Vel. I'll also make sure that this time, no man will ever take you away from my side again.”