Chapter 4 - Shadows in the Conservatory
That evening, a heavy storm rolled in off the lake, thunder rattling the high glass windows of the estate.
Adeline was in the private medical dispensary on the second floor, preparing Nico's evening regimen. She placed two harmless, white calcium tablets into the small paper cup, replacing the toxic pills Camille had left in the lockbox.
The door behind her clicked open.
Adeline turned. Camille stood in the doorway, wearing a red silk wrap, holding a thin leather file under her arm. Her eyes were sharp, dangerous, and stripped of all affection.
"You're very efficient, Adeline," Camille said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.
"I try to be," Adeline replied calmly, setting the paper cup on the tray.
Camille walked over to the stainless steel counter, trailing her manicured fingernails along the edge. "I checked the prescription inventory this afternoon. The numbers don't match. Three blister packs of Nico's sedatives are missing from the safe."
Adeline didn't flinch. "I keep a strict audit log, Miss Ashcroft. Every tablet is accounted for."
"Is it?" Camille stepped closer, her voice dropping into a dangerous whisper. "I know what you're doing, nurse. You think because Nico looks at you with those pathetic, grateful eyes that you're safe here. You think you can play the savior."
She opened the leather file on the counter. Inside were printouts of Wes's medical records, along with a newly drafted administrative order from Mercy General Hospital.
"This is an order to stay the surgical procedure for Wesley Marsh," Camille said softly, a toxic smile spreading across her red lips. "Signed by the chief of pediatrics—a man who owes my father four million dollars in clinic funding. One phone call from me, Adeline, and your brother gets transferred to a public charity ward at the bottom of the waiting list."
Adeline felt a cold rage surge through her veins, but she kept her hands steady on the counter. "He's seven years old, Camille."
"And you are a nobody," Camille spat softly. "Hand over your notebook. Give me the files you've been keeping on my movements. Pack your bags and leave this estate tonight. Do it, or your brother dies on a gurney waiting for a room."
Adeline looked at the file, then slowly looked up into Camille's eyes.
"No," Adeline said.
Camille blinked, startled by the absolute lack of fear in the nurse's voice. "What did you say?"
"I said no," Adeline repeated, stepping toward her. "You think power is having enough money to buy people. But you're sloppy, Camille. You hit Nico because you were frustrated. You left your chemical supplier's name on a receipt in the guest house wastebasket. You think you're a mastermind, but you're just a greedy amateur."
Camille's face twisted in fury. She raised her hand to strike Adeline across the face—just as she had struck Nico on the marble floor the night before.
Before her hand could descend, a hand reached out from the darkness of the corridor doorway and clamped around Camille's wrist like a steel vice.
Camille gasped in pain, spinning around.
Nico sat in his wheelchair in the doorway. His grip on her wrist was so tight her knuckles were turning white. His face was framed by shadows, his eyes burning with an ancient, dark fury.
"If you ever raise your hand in this house again, Camille," Nico said, his voice terrifyingly calm, "I won't just break your wrist. I will erase your family from this city."
Camille stared at him, her chest heaving, terror finally shattering her aristocratic composure. "Nico... you... your arm... you can't—"
"My mind is entirely whole," Nico cut her off, twisting her wrist slightly until she dropped to her knees on the tile floor. "And I heard every word you said about the boy."
Nico looked at Adeline. "Take the file."
Adeline reached down, snatched the medical file from Camille's trembling hand, and stepped back beside Nico.
Nico released Camille's wrist. She collapsed against the floor, clutching her arm, looking up at him in sheer horror.
"Get out of my sight," Nico commanded quietly. "Go to your room. Lock the door. If you attempt to leave the estate before tomorrow morning, my guards will shoot your tires out."
Camille didn't argue. She scrambled to her feet, tears of rage and fear spilling down her cheeks, and fled down the corridor.
The room fell quiet, save for the sound of rain beating against the glass outside.
Adeline let out a shaky breath, placing her hand on the back of Nico's chair. "That was risky. If she calls Reuben now—"
"She won't call Reuben," Nico said, reaching up to place his hand over hers. His palm was warm, solid, and comforting. "Reuben doesn't know she threatened your brother. Reuben thinks this is purely about syndicate control. Camille is operating on her own greed now. She's desperate."
He turned his head to look up at her. The sharp, dangerous edge in his eyes softened as he met her gaze.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently.
Adeline looked down at their joined hands. "I'm fine. Just... angry that people like her exist."
May you like
Nico pulled her hand slightly, drawing her closer until she was kneeling beside his chair, eye to eye with him.
"You don't have to carry this alone anymore, Adeline," Nico said softly, his thumb gently brushing across her knuckles. "You saved my life. I promise you, on my family's name, no one will ever threaten yours again."
