Chapter 454

Ashlyn remained fast asleep, much to his surprise.

Lucas frowned and stroked her cheek gently. “Honey?”

Why is she still asleep?

Is she really that tired after the flight?

Something’s definitely wrong…

Suddenly, Spencer’s phone rang. “Yes… Alright, understood. I’ll convey this information to Mr. Nolan.”

Lucas stiffened. “What happened?”

“It’s Lilian, Mr. Nolan,” Spencer answered. “The butler just informed me that her autopsy report is ready.

She had smeared a lethal amount of backtrack poison on her body that acted up quickly. The shot you fired simply sped up the process. This poison is developed by the NN Terrorist Group and reduces the mental state of the victim to that of a toddler.”

Lucas’s eyes glinted dangerously. “Backtrack poison from the NN Terrorist Group? How is she connected to such a dangerous organization? Tell them to look into this matter immediately.”

“Yes, Mr. Nolan.”

Lucas picked Ashlyn up bridal style and lifted her out of the car.

After setting her down on the bed back home, he went straight for the bathroom.

Ashlyn woke up after a while to the sound of water rushing from the bathroom. She blinked a few times before realizing she was back at Whitland Villa.

She sat up slowly as spots danced across her vision, rubbing her throbbing forehead.

Goodness, I fell asleep again?

I need to find the cure…there’s no telling how long I have before I turn into a vegetable!

Ashlyn looked at her rapidly-darkening palm.

I can’t stay here any longer… I’ll poison Lucas as well…

She slipped out of bed and sent a message to Jared: I’m at Whitland Villa. Come and pick me up.

By the time Lucas emerged from the bathroom, Ashlyn was long gone.

Alarmed, he rushed to the door to look for her when a small piece of paper on the bedside table caught his eyes.

In Ashlyn’s beautiful handwriting, it read: I need to leave.

His face darkened as his grip on the note tightened.

Why are you leaving?

We’ve gone through so much, and you’re bailing on me now?

How dare you!

*

A Land Rover sped along the roads under the cover of darkness.

Ashlyn forced herself to stay awake, her voice growing lower and lower with every passing minute.

“Let’s go to the office,” she commanded.

“How are you doing, Boss?” Jared asked. He was genuinely concerned for her. She went overseas for only a short while, and someone managed to poison her already?

“I won’t die,” Ashlyn drawled sleepily. Forcing her eyes open, she continued, “Tell everyone to get ready for an emergency meeting.”

“Yes, Boss!”

They arrived at the Centennial Healthcare pharmaceutical research center soon after.

All researchers were already at the scene.

Some of them were yawning and looking half-asleep while the nocturnal ones were scoffing at them.

“Boss is going to scold you all for this!”

“Urgh… Why did she call for a meeting at this ungodly hour?”

“Is she crazy? I’m so tired…”

Their bickering was cut off by hurried footsteps and the sound of the door opening.

A tall woman clad in white walked in, visibly fatigued.

A slender man followed her closely.

Everyone turned to look at them the moment they made their entry.

Ashlyn sat at the head of the table and gestured at Jared weakly. “Speak for me.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Five minutes later…

The researchers stared at Ashlyn in disbelief upon hearing Jared’s words.

“Boss, are you going to…”

“What’s going to happen to you?”

“Boss, you’re still so young!”

“No need to pity me,” Ashlyn said, “I don’t have much time left. I need all of you to find something that can slow down the progression of the poison and buy time for the development of the cure.”