Chapter 240
My heart tightened. Christian really wasn't easy to fool. "I really didn't notice."
Christian's gaze remained steady as he nodded. "Then go with my assistant first to do the examination."
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as I stood up, Leopold pulled me closer and said, "I'll wait here for you."
I nodded in agreement and followed Christian's assistant out.
But halfway there, I made an excuse to go back and get something.
Walking to the door, I heard the conversation inside.
"Dr. Moore, since you've confirmed that Cindy's condition has relapsed for the third time, shouldn't we accelerate the progress on developing the antidote?" Leopold's voice was cold and low, carrying an undeniable forcefulness.
My eyelashes trembled lightly. Christian had discovered it after all.
He truly lived up to his reputation as a medical authority—not easy to fool at all.
Christian sighed heavily. "It's not that we're unwilling to accelerate progress, but right now we don't have one hundred percent certainty in extracting the most crucial compound."
"What compound?"
"That 0.3% component."
When I'd gotten the exact composition of Ethan's drug, I'd also sent it to Leopold for Christian to reference.
I hadn't expected this 0.3% compound to stump them too.
After thinking for a moment, Leopold asked again, "Where exactly is the difficulty in extracting it?"
"Purity." Christian's tone grew heavier. "This compound doesn't exist naturally. It's extracted after refining dozens of rare medicinal materials. Right now, we've gathered all these materials, but we still can't achieve the purity we need."
I lowered my eyes. That meant the antidote for the new drug couldn't be produced in the short term.
"Other pharmaceutical research institutes can't do it either?" Leopold pursued calmly.
"Not exactly. The research institute where Arnold works is also tackling this problem."
Christian's words made me look up sharply.
Right—how had I almost forgotten that Arnold was also researching this?
And Ethan had also been poisoned with this. The Gravenford Kingdom's royal family took it very seriously.
So if both sides cooperated... would it accelerate the antidote's development?
But remembering the confrontational scenes between Leopold and Ethan, I immediately dismissed that thought.
I didn't listen further and quietly left the office.
After finishing the examination, I waited another hour before the report came out.
"As things stand, Ms. Wipere's condition is well controlled. Our antidote has reached the second stage of development, but the efficacy isn't stable yet. It needs another two weeks of testing before it can be administered." Christian put down the report and picked up another. "As for your traumatic arthritis, it's also being controlled very well. Keep it up, don't burden your body further, and you'll recover soon."
These two pieces of good news dispelled the worry in my heart.
Hearing there was still hope for recovery, I couldn't help asking, "If things go smoothly, about how long until my traumatic arthritis heals?"
After brief consideration, Christian answered, "About two months."
Similar to Arnold's estimate.
"Alright, thank you, Dr. Moore."
As the consultation ended, Christian specifically called out to me, "Ms. Wipere, although we haven't yet formulated the antidote for the new drug, you need to have faith in us. Above all, don't take your health lightly."
I knew he hoped I wouldn't conceal my condition. "I definitely trust you. I'll communicate with you promptly from now on."
Christian's lips curved slightly, a faint smile softening the seriousness on his face. "That's good. You can continue with the competition, but absolutely don't push yourself. If you feel any discomfort, you must stop immediately."
"Nothing is more important than your own life."
Just as Christian said this, Leopold's slender fingers happened to circle around my wrist.
I looked down at Leopold and smiled gently. "I understand."
It was a response to Christian, but also a promise to Leopold.
Hiding my condition wasn't because I had a death wish, but because I was afraid of adding to their anxiety and worry at this time.
After saying goodbye to Christian, Leopold and I returned to the car.
As soon as we got in, Leopold had Teddy raise the privacy partition.
I knew what he wanted to ask.
Before he could speak, I took the initiative to explain. "I'm sorry. I didn't deliberately hide it from you. I didn't realize it myself at first. After I remembered later, I was afraid my parents would worry, so I didn't tell them right away. I was planning to tell you too, but before I could organize what to say, Dr. Moore noticed."
Leopold looked at me expressionlessly.
His gaze made me feel somewhat anxious. I gripped his hand tightly. "Everything I'm saying is true. I promised not to hide things from you. I absolutely wouldn't knowingly violate that. I really just didn't want my parents to know for now."
Realizing the more I said, the worse it might get, my voice unconsciously softened.
"Little liar," Leopold finally spoke, his low voice carrying a hint of amusement.
That upward lilt at the end brushed across my heart like a feather.
My breathing unconsciously tightened.
Leopold continued unhurriedly, "I'll let it slide this time. Don't let it happen again."
My eyes brightened slightly, meeting his deep, unfathomable gaze.
Suddenly, as if possessed, I kissed his lips.
When my lips met that soft sensation, I realized what I'd done and quickly tried to pull back.
But Leopold didn't give me the chance.
He stared straight at me, his deep eyes like they'd ignited a flame. "This little bit of sincerity isn't nearly enough."
His gaze made my face heat up. "What... what else do you want to do?"
Leopold's large palm pressed against the small of my back, his breath dominantly surrounding me. "I want you to belong only to me."
The atmosphere gradually grew ambiguous.
Just as things were about to ignite, my phone suddenly rang.
I tried to reach for my phone, but Leopold pressed down on my hand.
"Ignore it."
He lowered his head and kissed my earlobe.
Scorching breath rolled from his throat.
My breathing quickened slightly as I declined the call.
"Good girl." Leopold looked at me with a smile, then his kisses trailed down along my neck.
The air grew thick, breathing irregular.
Intimacy surged wildly.
Leopold had just undone his belt when my phone rang again.
"Who the hell is it?" Leopold's expression darkened, each word seemingly squeezed from his throat.
I tried to soothe him while picking up my phone to look.
It was Ethan.
My expression shifted slightly. After hesitating for a moment, I still told him. "It's Ethan."
Leopold's face grew even darker.
I braced myself. "He's probably calling about something important. Let me answer it first?"
Leopold's jawline tensed, dark currents surging in his eyes.
Finally, he agreed.
I quickly answered. "Ethan, what's wrong?"
"Cindy, Arnold's antidote research has results!" Ethan's voice was thick with joy.
I immediately sat up straight and turned on the speakerphone. "Ethan, what results did Arnold's side get?"
Leopold's expression changed slightly, his gaze fixed directly on the phone screen.
Ethan continued explaining, "Arnold has successfully identified the final 0.3% component. And ten minutes ago, he completed the initial formulation of the antidote and used it in experiments."