[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-275":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},275,61,"Chapter 61: One-Way Ticket to the Ward","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The fever that had gripped Benedict Alexander all night finally broke, though his skin still flushed with a lingering, ghostly heat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The doctor who had been monitoring him all night anxiously pressed a hand to his forehead, letting out a long, shuddering breath. \"Mr. Alexander, your temperature is down. But keep your diet bland for the next few days. That toxin is potent; it will take time for your system to fully clear it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood. Get out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His voice was like sandpaper, rough and strained. The residual heat in his body made his skin crawl. He threw off the covers with trembling hands, downing several glasses of ice water before stumbling into the shower. He stood under the freezing spray for nearly an hour before the burning in his blood finally subsided.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, a cold, predatory light flickered in his eyes. It was time for this charade to end.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once dressed and composed, Benedict summoned everyone to the grand hall. Logan Alexander walked in, stifling a yawn and looking as though he’d just been dragged from a deep sleep. \"Brother, why are we gathering at this ungodly hour?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Benedict didn't answer. He slumped into the sofa with a lazy, dominant grace, not even bothering to cast a glance in Logan’s direction. Feeling ignored, Logan rolled his eyes and snorted in disdain. \"Still playing the brooding hero, I see.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Leland Alexander watched Benedict with a complex expression, a silent sigh escaping his lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Everyone is here. Bring in Greta Palmer and the maid,\" Benedict commanded, his voice cold enough to freeze the air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Moments later, the two women were dragged in and unceremoniously dumped onto the marble floor. The maid, Rosemary Weaver, was pale, her face smeared with dried, dark blood, cowering as she pressed herself against the cold floor.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Fiona Nguyen clicked her tongue, her voice dripping with mock surprise. \"My goodness, Auntie, aren't you a little heavy-handed? The poor girl was just doing your bidding. Why take your frustration out on her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta Palmer didn't seem to hear her. Her gaze was locked onto her son. In his eyes, there was no warmth—only a chilling, final resolution.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Benedict, I did this for you! You’re obsessed with Evangeline Montgomery; I was just trying to help you seize her. Is that so wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This is the last chance I’m giving you,\" Benedict said, his tone razor-sharp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta felt a shiver of pure terror crawl up her spine, reaching the very roots of her hair. \"You... you did this on purpose?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Benedict’s eyes turned bloodshot, his voice a low, pained growl. \"Mother—I told you. I have the power to provide for you. We didn't need to fight this war! Why won't you just listen?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ha! Why wouldn't I fight? You’re a useless coward!\" Greta grabbed his shoulders, her teeth grit in desperation. \"I am sick to death of the way people look at us with pity. I hate this status, this cage. I fought my way up to prove myself, and you? You force me to play the part of a starving dog begging for scraps! A dog!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing her intractable madness, Benedict squeezed his eyes shut. With a violent shove, he cast her off.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If that’s how you want it, don’t blame your son for being unfilial.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta scrambled on the floor, clawing frantically at his hand. \"What do you mean by that?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Benedict looked down at her with dead, icy eyes. \"My mother has been showing signs of severe mental instability. For the safety of everyone in this household, I have decided she needs to be admitted to a private psychiatric sanitarium. Does anyone have an objection?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The room went silent. Malcolm Alexander was the first to speak. \"We have no objections!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Right, yes... no objections,\" the others chimed in, eager to appease the man who now held the reins.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Benedict turned toward the head of the table. \"Grandfather?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Leland Alexander let out a heavy, defeated sigh. \"I have no objections.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta jolted to her feet, her hands trembling as she pointed at them. \"You pack of wolves! I’ll kill you all!\" She lunged toward Evangeline Montgomery, who stood nearby, but before she could get within ten feet, Marcellus Alexander caught her with a swift, brutal kick that sent her flying across the room.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hardly surprising. She’s completely lost her mind,\" Marcellus remarked, his tone bored.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Greta collapsed, a fountain of blood erupting from her lips. Benedict didn't even turn his head. \"Take her away,\" he ordered his security detail.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Greta was hauled out, screaming, and Rosemary Weaver was dragged toward the police station, the grand hall descended into a heavy, suffocating silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Leland Alexander cast a final, warning glare at the rest of the family. \"Keep your heads down and your mouths shut. Let Greta’s fate be a warning to you all.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They didn't dare argue. The \"Little Demon King\" Marcellus was trouble enough; now, with Benedict fully unleashed, the fear in the room was palpable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Back in their suite, Marcellus sat on the sofa, legs crossed, his mood surprisingly light. \"New Year's Day, and the trash has been taken out. A good omen.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline frowned slightly. \"Marcellus, I think Benedict is a lot like you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I have to admit, Father's genes are strong. Even with a mother like that, he didn't turn out completely broken.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But is he really okay? He seems so... twisted.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus raised a brow. \"Are you feeling sorry for him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline rolled her eyes, poking his chest. \"Don't be ridiculous. I just think he might be suffering from some serious psychological trauma.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He was forced to be strong from a young age. He learned to read people and climbed his way up to build an empire that ranks among the best in the city. You think he did that for fun?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because of the cold looks he received?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"His mother clawed her way to the top using the dirtiest tricks imaginable, and even the staff mocked him behind his back,\" Marcellus said, his voice flat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline nodded slowly. \"He really drew the short straw with a mother like that.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, you’re caring an awful lot about him.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine, fine. I’ll stop. I only care about you, okay?\" Evangeline dropped her curiosity, snuggling against his chest with a soft, mischievous smile. Her dimples were sweet, like a glass of fruit wine.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus couldn't help himself; he leaned down to taste them. \"Mmm. You’re definitely sweet.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline flushed, burying her face against his shirt to hide her smile.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Elsewhere, Benedict stood by his floor-to-ceiling window, the air around him thick with the acrid scent of tobacco.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When his assistant entered to report, he was forced to stifle a cough. \"Mr. Alexander, she has three fractured ribs and severe lung contusions. She’s being admitted to the clinic.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Post guards. She is not to step foot outside that facility, even after she recovers. She stays in the psychiatric wing.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Benedict’s voice was hollow, as if he were discussing a stranger. Yet, in the shadows where no one could see, his face was masked in an agony that defied words.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And from now on, I don't want to hear another word about her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the assistant retreated, Benedict stared out the window, his vision blurring, his mind drifting into a dark abyss.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Inside his head, his mother's manic, obsessed voice looped on repeat like a broken record. He felt as if a thousand ants were crawling through his brain, his breathing ragged, his chest heaving with every suppressed sob.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't until the embers of his cigarette burned against his fingertips that he was jolted back to reality.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stared blankly at the fading spark. The searing pain brought his pulse back to a slow, steady rhythm. He looked out at the night, his eyes vacant, whispering to the silence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s all... over.\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913599]