Chapter 601

chapter601

When Emmanuel exited the room, the Lenoir family’s butler was already waiting for him. Quintus immediately rushed forward, grabbing Emmanuel’s shoulders with a desperate intensity. “How is she? Is Claudette awake yet?”

Emmanuel scanned the corridor, noting the placement of the guards before shaking his head. “Not yet. Why don’t you head inside and stay with her for a while?” Having discovered that Magnus viewed Claudette’s recovery as a threat to his own interests, Emmanuel knew he couldn't leave her unguarded. With the impulsive but fiercely loyal Quintus by her side, Magnus would at least be forced to maintain his facade of concern.

“Dr. Lowe, Madam requests an immediate report on the situation,” the butler interrupted, gesturing toward the west wing.

Emmanuel nodded and followed him. They navigated a series of secure corridors before entering a private study filled with high-end communication equipment. Inside, Laura was engaged in a video call. A large screen displayed another noblewoman, and the two were exchanging the polished, rhythmic flatteries typical of high-society circles.

Emmanuel observed the woman on the screen. Unlike many who used jewelry to project status, she exuded an innate, quiet authority. She was the picture of refined elegance.

Seated behind Laura was Magnus, looking every bit the respectful, attentive son. He listened to the conversation with a pleasant, modest smile. If Emmanuel hadn't just faced him in a life-or-death confrontation, he would have easily mistaken Magnus for a scholarly, harmless intellectual.

The most dangerous individuals often hide behind the most ordinary masks, Emmanuel reminded himself, recalling Kolton’s frequent warnings.

“Ah, Dr. Lowe. What is the news regarding Claudette?” Laura asked, rising from her seat without ending the call. Her expression was a mask of professional concern.

“The situation is critical,” Emmanuel replied frankly. “There is a possibility she may remain in this state indefinitely.”

“What?!” Laura’s composure shattered. Tears filled her eyes instantly, and in a sudden burst of apparent grief, she stepped forward and began to strike Emmanuel’s chest, her movements frantic and uncontrolled. “You promised! You said you could stabilize her! If she doesn't recover, the consequences for everyone involved will be dire!”

Emmanuel bore the brunt of her outburst in silence. Despite her delicate appearance, Laura possessed a surprising, desperate strength. As she grabbed at his lapels, Emmanuel caught Magnus’s gaze over her shoulder. Magnus adjusted his glasses, his eyes reflecting a profound—yet perhaps perfectly choreographed—sadness.

“This is devastating news,” the noblewoman on the screen said, her voice trembling with anxiety. “Magnus, go to her at once. Use every resource we have. Claudette is far too important to our family’s future to lose.”

“Yes, Mother,” Magnus replied dutifully. Before leaving the room, he cast a final, lingering glance at Laura and Emmanuel, his eyes unreadable.

Once he was gone, Emmanuel’s mind raced. He needed to find a way to convey the true danger to Laura without alerting their enemies. Quintus was a formidable fighter, but he lacked the political foresight to protect Claudette from a hidden threat.

“You failed us!” Laura cried out, her voice rising as she continued to pull at Emmanuel’s clothes. In her staged frenzy, the fabric of his shirt gave way, and he felt the sting of her nails against his skin. She’s incredibly convincing, he thought, playing the part of the grieving mother to perfection.

Just as he moved to steady her, Laura’s movements suddenly became precise. She leaned in, her voice a barely audible breath against his ear, shielded from the camera's microphone. “Dr. Lowe, you have a sharp eye. What did you truly find in that room?”

Emmanuel froze for a split second, realizing the entire "outburst" had been a tactical maneuver to create a dead zone for the surveillance equipment. This woman was far more observant than she let on.

“Mrs. Lenoir, there are those within these walls who do not wish to see her recover,” he whispered back, keeping his face obscured from the screen.

Laura’s expression remained one of grief for the camera, but her whisper was cold and analytical. “It isn't that he wants her gone. It’s that he cannot accept a future where she is no longer under his influence. It is a tragic pride... he would rather see something destroyed than see it belong to another.”

Emmanuel fell into a deep, somber silence. He realized he wasn't just dealing with a family rivalry, but a psychological obsession that made Magnus far more dangerous than any common assassin.

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