Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 861 - Chapitre 870

"Bitter." That afternoon, while I was handling a contract dispute between an artist and their partner, Ian knocked and opened my office door. “Jen, the water's bitter again."How could water randomly change taste?"Let me try it."I paused my work and went to him.Ian stood on tiptoes, lifting his cup.I took a sip and analyzed the taste carefully.“Can you taste the slight bitterness?""Yes."The water's texture and taste weren't too different from usual. The bitterness was so faint you'd miss it without paying attention."Could it be the water company?"I went with Ian to the break room to investigate.Ian shook his head quickly. "I just got water from downstairs, and it tastes like this morning's."He handed me a paper cup from the cabinet. I took a sip.The downstairs water tasted different from the break room's, though both came from the same company.As I pondered this, I remembered the white crystals on the empty bottle this morning.I put the cup back and opened

"Ian is so brave!"As Luke spoke, his eyes fell on me, his deep gaze filled with undisguised worry.Not wanting to concern him, I said casually, "I feel completely fine.""You'll both be okay."Luke's steady voice had a calming effect, easing my anxiety.I'd already called the police during the tests, and they came to get details.In Eric's office, I explained everything about discovering the bitter taste in the water."Thanks to Ian, or I might never have noticed."My voice full of gratitude, Ian, sitting quietly nearby, shyly moved closer to me as everyone turned to look at him.Just then, there was a knock. Eric opened the door to a nurse with test reports. "Dr. Thomson, the results are in."Eric quickly reviewed them, instructing the nurse, "Bring their exam results to my office immediately when they're ready."Eric handed the report to the police. "As I suspected, the crystals are atropine, matching what we found in the water dispenser."Atropine is an anticholinergic

Ruby wouldn't confess until confronted with evidence. She denied putting atropine in the water while waiting for the test results on her nail residue.Police took her to interrogation, checking her online shopping history, browsing records, and recent movements.Building a complete evidence chain would take time.Finding the truth was police work—we didn't need to wait at the station.Ian's and my test results were normal. We'd dodged a bullet.To celebrate, we planned to visit this food truck I'd seen online recently.From the videos, it was small and basic—almost shabby.Places like this usually had years of history, loyal customers, and great cooking.Social media had been discovering these hidden gems lately.The comments praised this place highly.With Wendy abroad, I shared videos of their specialties with Ian.He was really interested. Though it wasn't Luke's style, I planned to let him leave first."Where are you going? I'll drive you."After Ruby's incident, Luke

While I was lost in thought, Luke placed a piece of deboned fish on my plate. "Fish is best eaten hot."I lowered my head and ate the fish.I couldn't help wondering how happy I might be now if I hadn't ended up with Max, if I'd dated Luke through our parents' matchmaking instead.As if sensing my mood change, Ian swallowed his food and asked, “Jen, when will you and Uncle give me a little brother or sister?"His innocent words startled me, bringing back memories of my baby who died at birth.Luke rinsed a piece of fish in water to remove the spice and placed it on Ian's plate. "When do you think would be good?""Anytime!" Ian's mouth was red from trying spicy food despite not handling it well. "I'm grown up now. I'll protect them like Jen protects me!""Let's pinky promise."Luke held out his little finger.Ian immediately hooked his finger with Luke's, saying in his sweet voice, "Cross my heart, can't break it for a hundred years!"Seeing Luke make such a childish gesture s

Ruby looked away from the plant.The interrogating officer noticed and asked, "Recognize this plant?""N-no."Ruby started stuttering, her voice shaking."This monstera tree is from your office."The officer dug through the soil with a small spade, revealing a white medicine bottle.Those seconds felt like torture for Ruby as she broke into a cold sweat."Forensics confirmed it's atropine.""That doesn't prove I buried it there.""We have video evidence."The officer placed a USB drive on the table. "It shows you burying the bottle under the plant.""I disconnected the office cameras. Nothing could have recorded me. You're bluffing!"Realizing she'd confessed, Ruby collapsed into her chair.Learning the investigation results left me with mixed feelings.Ruby ruined her life over a moment of anger—tragic.We'd planned to go to Sharonville with Luke today, but the poisoning case delayed that.I called Beatrice to arrange tomorrow's visit.She was delighted.Next morning