Charles made it painfully clear he was out for blood this time, determined to humiliate Alex in front of the entire “Kingston family.
He leaned back in his chair, sneering as though he owned the room.
“So, genius,” Alex drawled sarcastically.
“You’re telling me this Lydia–the one who tried to murder Jasmine and backstab Jasmine Kingstons–is the same woman you wanted me to just let walk free? Are you off your meds, or do you have a permanent vacancy sign dangling in that empty head of yours?”
Charles’s face twitched, eyes glinting with dangerous rage,
“How dare you question me? Even if she’s a traitor, Lydia was one of ours. Who gave you the right to kill her?”
“The Kingstons handle Kingston business, not some no–name punk like you! Ever think of choosing your battles correctly before butting into our family affairs?”
Alex scoffed, a sharp laugh slicing through the tense air.
“Oh, sure. I help clear out a scumbag who tried to assassinate your own flesh and blood, and instead of thanks, I get scolded. You Kingstons sure know how to roll out the red carpet of gratitude.”
Charles’s lip curled in disgust. “I don’t have the patience to keep yapping. You want to make amends for offing Lydia? Then bow down and apologize to her… right now.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, half–grinning. “Or what?”
Charles slammed his fist against the table, rattling teacups until one shattered at his feet.
“Or I’ll pulverize your legs until you’re crawling on the floor like a worm.”
“Oh, how original,” Alex deadpanned, eyes cold. “Let’s see you try.”
Charles lunged up in fury, face flushed. “Don’t push me, jackass!”
Before he could charge, Jasmine stormed in, hair whipping around like a war banner.
Her voice was raw with rage. “Charles Kingston, you touch one hair on his head, and I’ll make sure you never walk straight again!”
Charles froze, astonished that his usually poised sister had unleashed her fury so openly.
“Are you really turning against your own brother for this worthless boy toy?”
Jasmine’s chest heaved with anger. “He saved my life, Charles. You so much as graze him, I’ll end you myself. Yes, end you–consider this your final warning, you twisted creep.”
Charles’s scowl deepened, taking on an ugly shape.
“You’re bluffing,” he snapped, voice brittle with forced confidence–but the crack in his tone gave him away.
The words came out sharp, but his eyes betrayed him–wide, watchful, haunted by the creeping fe. just maybe… she wasn’t bluffing at all.
t maybe…
“But fine. Let’s put Lydia’s case aside for a damn minute whatever. I still refuse to watch you elect this poser as
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chief physician when he’s got zero qualifications.”
Jasmine’s voice dripped with ice. “His skills are more than enough. It’s not your call to make.”
+25 BONUS
Charles snorted. “Oh, but it is. This is about the family’s business. You stand in the way, and don’t blame me when I drag you in front of the board.”
Jasmine crossed her arms defiantly. “Go ahead, see if I care
Suddenly, Jessica–who had been quietly observing–stepped forward.
“Let’s not forget SkinDew Essence’s research document leak. We need a chief who can handle that catastrophe. Frankly, Alex is too green. Mr. Fleming would be a safer bet.”
“Safer?” Jasmine shot back. “I’ve seen Alex’s medical prowess up close, and he’s far from incompetent.”
Charles, catching the whiff of an opening, spread his hands in faux innocence. “Well then, how about a little contest? Let the best man’s skills do the talking.”
Jasmine’s stomach twisted; she smelled a setup.
‘When the snare is laid within your own house, even the lion must tread cautiously.‘
Sure enough, Mr. Fleming, a sly grin creeping up his lips, chimed in. “Hmm, a typical medical duel is so dull, wouldn’t you agree? Why not spice things up with a test of microbiology?”
Alex cocked his head, unimpressed. “I’m listening.”
Mr. Fleming’s eyes gleamed with a dark excitement.
“Simple,” he said smoothly. “We each gather a bacterial culture on the spot, swap samples, and ingest them. The first person to create an effective antidote and cure themselves wins. If you lose… well, you risk becoming a cripple
or dying a gruesome death.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened in horror.
“That’s insane! You’re basically throwing your life away if something goes sideways.”
Mr. Fleming laughed–cold, confident, utterly unfazed.
“High stakes, high reward. Unless, of course, someone’s too scared to play with the big boys.”
Charles stepped forward then, his words laced with venom.
“Your call, boy toy. Either forfeit now–give up the chief position, bow down, and apologize to Lydia’s ashes… oh, and hand over an arm as compensation—”
Alex’s eyes flashed with dangerous amusement.
“We’re talking about guzzling down some nasty bacteria, right? That’s child’s play. I’m all in. On one condition
>>
He paused, letting the tension coil tight in the room.
”
“Charles here has to drink my bacteria sample… and this old man can try to save his sorry ass.”
The room plunged into stunned silence.
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Charles’s face flushed crimson, fists clenching in rage, but curling at the edges of his mouth.
You wanted to see me squirm, Charles?” Alex said, voice
“Congratulations–you just volunteered to be my personal
accept?”
Chapter 206
Chapter 206
