The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming (Natalie and Marcus)

As Laura spoke, sadness flickered across her face. "I didn't know I was poisoned before, and a lot has been going through my mind since then. I know some things shouldn't be thought about too deeply, yet I can't help but dwell on them.

"I can't take risks, Nat. All I want is a peaceful life with my child. I don't ask for much—just a healthy body, a happy child, and for the two of us to never be separated by anyone. That's enough for me."

Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I'm guessing it's Cassie, and there's a 90% chance I'm right. But Nat, she's Marcus' aunt, his grandfather's daughter!"

"I know," Natalie replied.

At this point, nearly all the clues suggested that Cassie was most likely the culprit.

However, if it wasn't Cassie, then the ones responsible had to be Wesley and Charles.

Laura couldn't bring herself to suspect them. After all, Charles had genuinely cared for her, and her love with Wesley had been real.

This only made Laura even more afraid, so she told Natalie she couldn't take the risks.

"Let's leave it to Marcus to find out the truth." Laura stood up, smiling as she said, "If Cassie is truly behind this, I won't let it slide.

"Nat, I can bear any pain myself, but my child was kept away from me for years. I wasn't there for Marcus; I missed his entire childhood. That's a regret I'll carry forever. I love my child, Nat."

"It's okay, Laura. I understand. I'm sure Marcus understands as well."

Natalie's eyes grew misty. Both Laura and Charlotte were mothers who truly loved their children.

Luckily, she and Marcus hadn't fared too badly despite their circumstances. "Alright, enough chatting. Time for treatment."

As they were chatting, Federrick had been preparing the medicine. Now that it was finished, he wouldn't give them another moment to chat.

"Okay, Mr. Langton."

"Thank you, Mr. Langton."

Natalie guided Laura to sit by the bed. Federrick had prepared three doses of medicine. Natalie and Marcus hadn't found the Wasteland Shadebloom, but Federrick had managed to retrieve it.noveldrama

Along with the medicine the Walkers had provided and the medicine Marcus acquired from Jonathan, the Umbrahex in Laura's body was no longer a serious threat.

If Federrick couldn't come back himself, he had prepared by instructing Natalie to treat Laura with a herbal bath. That said, it would have worked slowly and wouldn't have fully cured her.

Now that he was back and had full control, Natalie didn't need to step in. His approach would be faster and more effective.

Besides, he knew how to deal with the venomous insects once they were drawn out, something Natalie couldn't do.

Who else could he blame? If he had taught Natalie about Umbrahex earlier, he wouldn't have had to return and handle the mess himself at his age.

"Here, take this packet of medicine first."

Federrick handed a sachet of medicinal powder to Laura. "Once you swallow this powder, you'll feel a burning sensation in your stomach, and it'll feel like something is moving violently inside. But don't be scared; hold on as long as you can. When your throat starts itching, spit it out right away."

Then, he called, "Nat."

"Yes, Mr. Langton."

Natalie immediately stepped forward with a large glass basin filled with sulfuric acid.

"This basin contains sulfuric acid. When you spit, aim for the basin."

Laura nodded instantly.

"After the first purge, rest for a bit, then take the second dose. Unlike the first, this one isn't a powder-you'll have to chew and swallow it."

Federrick brought out the medicine, opened it, and showed it to Laura.

"The second dose will be even more agonizing. Your entire bloodstream will be cleansed, and I'll need to perform a blood transfusion."

"Blood transfusion?"

Laura was stunned. Glancing around the medical room, she realized there was no blood ready.

"Yes, but we're not doing it here," Natalie explained. "Don't worry, Laura. Mr. Langton will make sure you recover."

"I'm not worried," Laura said with a faint smile. "Nat, Mr. Langton, thank you both

so much."

"This is the third

dose," Federrick

went on bluntly. "You have to survive the first two rounds before you can take this one and undergo a blood transfusion. The third dose won't hurt, but you'll experience hallucinations. If you can't escape them on your own, no orfe will be able to save you.

"Nat isn't experienced in handling Umbrahex cases; that's why I hurried back. Everything she did before was based on my teachings, so she could only keep it from spreading until I returned."

After a brief pause, he continued, "You're Nat's future mother-in-law, so I'll give my all to save you. And I won't be sugarcoating things for you. I'll tell you everything you need to know in advance."

Federrick's expression was firm. "If you can't withstand the pain, you won't survive. So, can we count on you to stay strong?"

Without hesitation, Laura nodded. "Yes, you can. I've endured all kinds of pain over the years. Every time my illness flared up, I pulled through. No matter how much this hurts, it won't be worse than those episodes."

"Great, let us start then!"

Federrick turned to Natalie. "Tie up both of her legs, Nat."

"Yes, Mr. Langton."

Natalie wasted no time, firmly binding Laura's legs.

"Laura, I need to tie your hands as well, but I won't fasten them to the bed. This

way, you can still move when you need to vomit."

Natalie grabbed a rope wrapped in cloth. Laura extended her hands, allowing herself to be tied.

Then, Natalie fed her the first dose of medicinal powder.

The medicinal powder was meant to be swallowed dry, making it difficult for Laura

to get it down. After struggling for a moment, she finally managed. Instantly, Natalie helped her lie down.

"You must stay strong, Laura," Natalie said.

"Don't worry. I can do it," Laura replied with a smile. She rested her gaze on the ceiling, feeling at ease.

The medical room was designed in a completely different way from a regular

room.

Every material used came from century-old trees with high medicinal properties, and the intricate carvings were unlike anything commonly seen.

Laura gazed at the ceiling's carvings as she quietly awaited the effects on her body.

As expected, five minutes later, a sharp burning sensation erupted in her abdomen. Within seconds, the pain exploded, coursing through every inch of her body.

A scream of pain tried to rise from her throat, but no sound came out, as if something had muffled it completely.

In just moments, heat surged through her body, raising her temperature

drastically. Her once translucent skin flushed a deep, blood-red.

Small, thread-like worms surfaced under her skin, twisting and writhing as though

struggling to escape.

Natalie watched from the side, feeling utterly horrified.

"These are Bloodbanes," Federrick said. "They drain Laura's blood while secreting their own venom, slowly replacing her blood with their own fluids. This is

also the reason why her skin appears translucent.

"Within her body, both Bloodbanes and Ghostroots exist in a delicate balance. They suppress each other, ensuring neither grows too strong nor too lethal-keeping her alive, but never free. Yet as long as she's alive, she will be trapped in an unending cycle of torment.

"The one who did this to Laura is downright vicious," Federrick concluded. To kill is one thing, but to condemn someone to years of relentless suffering? Either this is an act of deep, personal vengeance, or the work of someone utterly inhuman."