Chapter 126
That fleeting resentment in Heidi's eyes crystallized into something far more dangerous—pure, calculated venom.
Only now did she fully understand what she'd suspected all along: Caroline still held a place in Arthur's heart.
Perhaps he hadn't even realized how deeply she affected him.
Caroline could not be allowed to live. Not with even the slimmest chance of survival.
Minutes later, Heidi had regained her composure completely. She wiped away her tears with steady fingers, her gaze hardening with ruthless determination.
Scrolling through her contacts, she found an unlabeled number she hadn't used in ages and typed a simple message:
[Dr. C, I need to see you.]
---
At the research facility, Caroline stepped off the transport with the other volunteers.
She hesitated briefly at the sight of the imposing complex before her expression settled back into practiced detachment.
As Sophia and Nick led the group through a corridor toward their assigned rooms, they encountered another team of researchers heading in the opposite direction.
The lead researcher paused. "Sophia, these are the cancer trial volunteers?"
Sophia's eyebrows knitted slightly, but she maintained her professional demeanor.
"Yes. This is Dr. Connor Cox," she told the volunteers. "He's recently returned from abroad and will be heading the cancer drug trials. I'll be handling your monitoring and supportive care."
After exchanging brief pleasantries, they continued on their way.
Suddenly, Caroline felt an icy sensation crawl up her spine—that unmistakable feeling of being watched. When she turned to look, she saw only Connor's retreating back as he led his team away.
Strange, she thought, pressing her lips together as she continued walking.
What she failed to notice was Connor adjusting his glasses, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes as she turned.
Caroline? Quite alert, wasn't she?
"Dr. Cox, have you discovered something?" asked a researcher beside him, noticing his lingering gaze.
Connor smiled coldly. "Nothing important. Just spotted an interesting little toy."
Toy? The researcher looked around in confusion. Why would there be a toy in this lab?
---
Back in her room, Caroline underwent the familiar routine of physical monitoring, but noticed immediately that Sophia wasn't conducting the examination.
"Where is Ms. Griffith?" she asked.
The masked lab assistant kept his eyes down. "Ms. Griffith is busy. I'll be monitoring you today."
He approached with a blood collection needle and handed her a pill. "This is the experimental cancer treatment. It will alleviate your current symptoms."
Caroline's gaze sharpened, but she accepted the pill with outward calm.
"What's in this?" she asked casually. "Isn't it premature to begin medication before completing a thorough examination?"
The assistant's eyes flashed with momentary panic before quickly regaining composure.
"This is the cancer treatment," he repeated, more insistently. "Since you've come to the research facility, you should follow our protocols."
Caroline felt a chill run through her. When the assistant wasn't looking, she slipped the pill into her sleeve while pretending to swallow it.
"Don't be upset," she said with a gentle smile. "I just wanted to understand. Of course I trust you."
Seeing her apparent compliance, the assistant's demeanor softened. "We only want what's best for you. The facility would never harm its volunteers."
Caroline merely smiled.
Only after the door closed behind him did she retrieve the pill for closer examination. Eszopiclone—a non-benzodiazepine that precisely regulates sleep-related neurons. In simple terms: a fast-acting sleeping pill.
Had Caroline not been thoroughly versed in neurological research, she might have taken it without question.
But sleeping pills had no application in cancer treatment. Someone clearly wanted her incapacitated—but why?
After consideration, she lay down and feigned deep sleep, so convincingly that she remained perfectly still when someone opened the door to check on her.
Not long after, piercing screams erupted throughout the facility. The walls trembled, and the acrid smell of smoke filled the air.
Caroline's eyes snapped open to see chaos in the corridor and flames roaring at the far end. She pulled at her door—locked, as she'd expected.
Someone wanted her dead.
With grim determination, she grabbed a chair and began smashing it against the door, but the facility's reinforced security features made her efforts futile.
As her strength flagged, despair began to creep in.
Was this truly how she would die?
No. She refused to accept it.
Through the window, she spotted a familiar figure passing by. "Sophia, wait!"
Sophia turned, startled. "Caroline? You're still here?" Didn't Connor say all volunteers had been evacuated?
There was no time to ponder this. She quickly unlocked the door with her master key and pulled Caroline into the corridor.
"Why was your door locked?" Sophia asked as they hurried toward the exit. If she hadn't happened by with her keys, Caroline would certainly have died.
"Perhaps someone locked it deliberately," Caroline replied, her tone deceptively casual.
Sophia's expression darkened. "What are you implying?"
Caroline studied her for a moment before producing the sleeping pill from her pocket. "Today's fire was no accident. Someone wants me dead. A lab assistant gave me this pill, claiming it was the cancer treatment."
Sophia stared at the pill, instantly recognizing it for what it was. As a pharmaceutical researcher, she knew its purpose immediately, and the implications chilled her.
Was someone targeting Caroline specifically, or attempting to sabotage the entire facility?
"I'll have this investigated," she promised, maintaining her composure as they continued toward safety. "Don't worry—I'll get to the bottom of this."
Caroline shook her head. "If we don't catch this saboteur, can you guarantee there won't be a second attempt?"
"What do you suggest?"
"First," Caroline said, her voice steady, "from this moment on, Caroline is dead—killed in the fire."
"Second, I need to see Mr. Barnes. Tell him that Caroline Hamilton wants to meet him."
Sophia's eyes widened in sudden recognition. "You're... you're..."
Caroline nodded. "Yes, I am."