Chapter 59

[Third-Person’s POV]

After hearing Timothy’s story, Alexander believed that Evelyn could have very well been telling the truth. It wasn’t as though he didn’t believe her when she’d told him about how she had seen Fiona near the tent. What he couldn’t wrap his mind around was why Fiona would go out of her way to do something like that in the first place.

However, there was still the matter of gathering physical evidence.

Alexander took Timothy’s testimony and shared his findings with Oliver for a second opinion. The Beta was shocked, once more.

“You’d think that finding a new way to help people’s health would make someone like Fiona thrilled,” Oliver said.

Alexander grimaced. Sure, one would think that; however, Fiona had always been someone who favored gossip rather than research. Her main interests usually fell under the categories of her fashion, social standing, and outdoing others around her.

Not exactly the personality one would have if they were carrying a career in the medical field.

It wasn’t as though she was poor at her profession, but Fiona never went above her education to explore more. She merely followed the general practices and left it at that.

“When she was told about the tea mixture Evelyn had created, why not ask her about it? Why target Evelyn like that?”

Well, it’s obvious that Fiona isn’t exactly the talking type. Not in this instance.

But something else wasn’t sitting right with Alexander. The more he thought about the whole matter, the more the gears in his mind were turning. He took each piece of the case apart and evaluated it.

If they got their hands on a real piece of solid evidence and it was one hundred percent true that Fiona was the one responsible, it would mean that she had intentionally compromised the entire mixture. Suddenly, a thought came to mind.

“I don’t think Evelyn was ever the intended victim,” he concluded.

“How do you mean?”

“All Timothy said to Fiona was where the tea mixture was being stored. He never mentioned anything about the fact that Evelyn always taste-tested each batch before shipping it out,” he clarified.

Oliver’s eyes widened. “You’re saying that what happened to Evelyn really could have been an accident—”

“Accident, more like poor luck. It doesn’t exempt the fact that the entire mixture had been tampered with. If no one had ever tested it and it happened to be shipped out...Hundreds of people would have been poisoned and suffering the same way that she is right now.”

A cold, unnerving shiver raced down Alexander’s spine.

“This would have been a regional catastrophe had it not been caught in time,” Oliver said.

“We need to find that evidence. This cannot go unsolved or unpunished,” Alexander hissed. “I want you to send for Fiona. I’m going to try and get a confession out of her. While that’s happening, I need you to search through her entire work tent. Every inch of that place needs to be searched. Leave nothing unturned.”

...

Alexander studied Fiona the second she entered his office. It wasn’t a place she had ever spent much time in, so the fact that she looked uncomfortable was nothing unexpected. As usual, he made it a point to sit in his wheelchair and address her with the same cold authority that he always spoke with.

“You wanted to see me?”

“Sit down, Fiona.”

She took a seat in one of the chairs across from him. He could see she was trying to keep her wits about her as she squared her shoulders back and kept form reposed.

“I’m curious, Fiona. As a registered medical professional, can you tell me what the effective uses are of a particular kind of plant?”

“That would depend on the plant,” she commented.

“Let’s say...Belladonna?”

Fiona went stiff but Alexander watched as her pupils began to dilate. Oh, yes. It was indeed the look of someone who wasn’t entirely innocent.

“B-Belladonna?”

He had to bite back the grin that was struggling to show itself. It wasn’t often that someone as haughty as her would lose their resolve so quickly. Fiona always spoke with clear refinement. And, yet, she was stumbling over her words.

“Well?” he pressed.

“Belladonna has been known to solve multiple ailments such as asthma, a pain reliever, and even those who suffered with intestinal issues,” she explained.

He gave a slight nod and leaned over his desk with his elbows digging into the wood.

“Now, why don’t you list off the negative effects that come from misusing such an unstable drug?”

Fiona swallowed hard. She took a moment to find the words as though they were going to be her last.

“Well, um...Belladonna has the ability to cause severe intestinal cramps and intense muscle spasms. If not measured correctly, the person taking it could end up having hallucinations and a high risk of running an extremely high fever. And in the worse-case scenario, the person taking it may even end up dead.”

Alexander fought hard to not clench his jaw at the dark thought.

No. I will not end up losing Evelyn. She will not die!

He never took his eyes off of her as he pulled himself back. He let out a contemplative hum.

“Those seem like very serious effects, don’t you think? It makes you wonder why anyone would dare to take it at all,” he commented casually.

Fiona lowered her head.

“Have you ever administered Belladonna to any of your patients, Fiona?” he asked.

She took a deep breath in. “I have in the past. Nothing recently has occurred which would warrant my need to use it.”

“So, what you’re saying is that you’re currently in possession of Belladonna.”

All the blood drained from her face. “I...Well, I...”

“Why don’t you go and fetch whatever supply you have and bring it to me.”

“I’m...I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” she stammered.

“And why is that?”

“Because it would seem that I have run out of it.”

“Oh? But how could that be possible when you just told me that you haven’t recently administered it?”

Her breathing grew hitched and before she could get another word out, the office door opened. Oliver silently slipped inside and gave Alexander a knowing wink.

“Well, no worries. You see, I had Oliver go and fetch your supply while you were here.”

“What?” she gasped.

Oliver stepped forward and handed the empty vial, clearly marked ‘Belladonna’ on the side, over to Alexander. He examined it closely before turning his scrutinizing gaze back over to Fiona. The woman looked as though she was seconds away from passing out.

“Fiona, what did you do with the rest of what was in here?”

She refused to answer. If she turned any paler, one would end up mistaking her for a ghost. She frantically shook her head.

“My, my. She looks rather peakish, don’t you think, Oliver?” he asked venomously.

“Yes, I dare say she does.”

“How about we trouble Nina to fetch you a cup of tea?” he inquired. “You see, Evelyn has recently developed this amazing tea blend and I think it’s going to perk you right up.”

Fiona nearly launched herself out of the chair and toward the door but Oliver was faster. He stood firmly in her way and stared her down.

“Yes! Alright, yes! I placed the Belladonna in the tea mixture,” she shouted.

“No shit,” Alexander retorted. “What we want to know is why.”

Fiona was seething with tears burning in her eyes. “Because I refuse to come second in my own damn profession to someone like Evelyn!”