Chapter 808

Zoe Chamberlain forced a faint smile. "Perhaps I haven't been sleeping well lately."

Madeline Delmonico asked with concern, "Would you like to rest some more before we begin?"

Zoe shook her head. "No need. Since I'm already here, let's examine your condition first. How have you been feeling these past two days? Have you been taking the medicine as prescribed?"

A cold glint flashed in Madeline's eyes.

This woman dared to poison her. Death would be too merciful.

Suppressing her rage, she maintained a calm expression. "I've taken it, but the headaches persist. And I'm needing the medicine more frequently now. Dr. Chamberlain, what exactly is wrong with me? Surely I deserve to know the cause if I'm taking medication indefinitely?"

Zoe visibly panicked.

She had no idea about any diagnosis—those weren't real medicines to begin with.

"The headaches are a chronic condition," Zoe stammered. "Complete recovery takes time. You must continue the medication until we assess your progress."

She deliberately avoided explaining the cause.

Madeline pressed further. "What's the root cause then?"

Zoe fabricated hastily, "It's from exposure to cold in your youth. The wind chill penetrated your brain. Now any breeze triggers the pain."

Madeline smirked inwardly.

Such smooth lies.

But she remembered Vivian Laurent's instructions and didn't expose the deception.

"How many days' worth should I take this time?" Madeline inquired.

Zoe replied, "Let's pause the medication for observation."

This was Annika Heilbronn's order. The fish had been fattened—time to reel it in.

Once the drugs were withheld, Madeline would experience withdrawal symptoms and come begging. Then the price would skyrocket.

"Very well." Madeline pretended ignorance.

Without Vivian's warning, she might have remained in the dark.

Now fully understanding Zoe's scheme, she decided to play along.

The moment Zoe left, Madeline contacted Vivian.

Vivian instructed, "Pretend to suffer withdrawal symptoms where Zoe can see you. Then approach her and note her demands."

"Understood." Madeline agreed.

Zoe believed she held all the cards, unaware that Annika was actually the one being played.

Annika was lost in her delusions.

She considered Vivian utterly defeated, with all these powerful figures under her thumb.

These elites would become her pawns—smuggling drugs and building her empire in Canada.

Though part of the organization, Annika had always harbored ambitions of independence. She needed funding and connections.

Once the network was established, she planned to recruit promising candidates as assassins.

She didn't realize she was the fish caught in the net.

Beyond her sight, Vivian had already set an inescapable trap.