Chapter 227
“First, it’s certain that Nathan will try to give me the d**g at the exhibition. The question is—how exactly?”
“Hm, what if you send a clone to the exhibition?”
“That won’t work. Nathan isn’t the only one I have to deal with. A clone could at most deliver a greeting or two. If I’m not careful, he might realize it’s a clone.”
“So until the situation arises, even a clone can’t act as a substitute. Ah, that’s unfortunate. If your specialty were creating clones, it might have been possible.”
“Speaking of specialties… we might be able to find out tonight. You never know—it could help tomorrow.”
While Claude and Sebelia discussed strategies, Dehart stared at his empty hands before slowly standing. Meanwhile, Claude felt the weight of Dehart’s gaze follow him back, feeling chilling.
Why’s that foolish nephew making such a fuss over me?
Claude forced his eyes away, considering using the blue bird. Watts, who had been silent throughout the discussion, finally spoke.
“By the way, why was I called?”
“Oh, that.”
Sebelia naturally turned her gaze to Dehart. He produced a bloodstained piece of paper from his coat and handed it to Watts.
“What’s this?”
As Watts unfolded it, his expression hardened instantly. It was the first time he had looked so serious since the apothecary burned down. Sebelia blinked as he spoke in a firm voice:
“You’re not asking me to make this, right? If so, I can’t accept it. Even if it’s you, Bella.”
“No, of course not.”
Sebelia waved her hands, clarifying Watts’s misunderstanding. Only now did she realize how little he had been involved in their affairs.
“Then what is it?”
“This is the formula for the d**g I nearly had to take. It seems to make people lose their reasoning and follow commands easily.”
Eli had forcibly extracted this from Roden using threats and intimidation. Watts now held the formula.
“I wanted to ask if you could create an antidote. I explained everything beforehand because if I had just asked out of the blue, it would have seemed suspicious.”
Watts’s eyes trembled in shock. He gripped the paper tightly and alternated his gaze between the three of them.
“If I’d known this would happen…”
“Mr. Watts?”
“Have you forgotten that you’re still in recovery? I’m effectively your personal physician.”
For some reason, he looked slightly betrayed. Taking a deep, weary breath, he began a scolding filled with anguish.
How could she have not mentioned this dangerous d**g until now? How could she have acted so nonchalantly despite almost taking it? For someone who deliberately avoided getting involved with the plans against Marquis Wheddon and his harsh tone, Sebelia inwardly sighed in relief.
At least he’s not interested in the d**g itself.
Sebelia had briefly been concerned when Dehart suggested having Watts use the formula to make an antidote. She’d feared his obsessive tendencies toward rare diseases and new d***s might lead him to misuse it.
But now she realized her worry had been unnecessary.
While Sebelia relaxed, Dehart frowned at Watts’s lecturing.
“So, can you make the antidote or not?”
“Do you think I can’t neutralize such a vile d**g?”
“Good. But one thing to note.”
Dehart said, tapping the armrest of his chair, lifting his gaze.
“There’s only one day left until the exhibition.”
“…!”
Dehart snapped his fingers. Eli, waiting in the next room, entered as if on cue.
“Now then, let’s go. Doctor, it’s time to make up for all the time you spent idle at the estate.”
Smiling, Eli lifted Watts and linked arms with him, heading somewhere. Claude tried to intervene, but Dehart stopped him.
“I’ve cleared out the studio and set up a research lab for the doctor. All the ingredients have been gathered there, so he’ll be happy, not angry.”
That’s true. Claude quickly understood and sat down. Just as they were about to continue their discussion, the morning rain pounded against the windows.
“I’ll close it.”
Sebelia approached the window, shut it, and hesitated while drawing the curtains. She felt someone watching, but there was no one in sight.
Just my imagination.
She closed the curtains and turned back. Claude was already riled up, eager to help her discover her ‘specialty’.
“Maybe we can manage if we try!”
Sebelia nodded. Only one day remained until the exhibition. There was no time to waste.
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