Chapter 596

Powerless to retort, Rex stood by as the siblings asked Suzanne about Elissa's condition in detail before they finally relaxed.

Jesse brought up the gala the following night. "Will Elissa be coming?"

"Probably not," Laurel shook her head.

The original plan was to use tomorrow night's gathering of elites to completely sever ties with Maya and announce Elissa's true identity.

But with Jacqueline in such critical condition right now, Elissa likely had no mind to attend any gala.

When Suzanne visited Rivercross Residence tonight, she deliberately didn't mention it to Elissa.

She didn't want to put her in a difficult position.

Unless they could secure the antidote and send it to the hospital before the gala.

On the other side, Sean was also deeply puzzled by this.

What could possibly be more important than reuniting with one's biological parents?

His intuition told him that tomorrow was the perfect time to bring Elissa before the Wilkinson family.

If tomorrow night passed, he feared he wouldn't be able to use this to build a connection with the Wilkinsons.

Beside him, Finn's phone suddenly buzzed with a message.

He glanced at it, a faint ripple appearing in his cold, dark eyes. "Godfather, I found out. It's Aaron's wife—Elissa's mentor's wife. She was poisoned."

"Poisoned?"

Finn nodded. "It likely has to do with those two idiots from the Wilkinson family again."

That Marcia.

Ruining his plans time and time again.

Sean narrowed his eyes. "Poisoned... Then what Elissa needs most right now is..."

Finn put down his phone and met his gaze. His thoughts aligned perfectly with Sean's.

The antidote, naturally.

And DK Medical, while ostensibly a pharmaceutical company, privately had an unparalleled grasp on poison channels.

As long as they delivered the antidote, Elissa would naturally have the time.

A calculating gleam flashed through Finn's eyes, quickly concealed. "I know what to do."

"Go ahead." Sean deeply trusted his adopted son.

The next morning, anxious about Alastair's component analysis results, Elissa woke up before her alarm even went off.

The breathing of the man beside her was even and steady, clearly indicating he hadn't slept well the past couple of days.

Through the thin sliver of morning light peeking through the curtains, Elissa guessed it was still very early. Afraid of waking him she didn't rush to get out of bed.

She simply lingered quietly in his embrace, using the faint light from the hallway to

trace his sleeping features.

She rarely had this opportunity.

Growing up, Rowan almost always woke up earlier than she did.

When he slept, all his sharp edges softened, and watching him, Elissa actually

found him somewhat endearing.

Yes.

He looked completely harmless.

Thinking of this, Elissa couldn't help but smile. If others knew she described Rowan this way, they would think she was crazy.

"What are you giggling about?"

Suddenly, the man's lips parted slightly, and his beautiful, narrow eyes fluttered

open, catching the smile she hadn't managed to hide.

Elissa jumped. "When did you wake up?"

"Just now."

"What a coincidence," Elissa said skeptically. "You've definitely been awake for a while."

Rowan didn't deny it. "So what were you laughing at?"

"Laughing at..." Elissa thought for a moment, blinked at him, and threw a

curveball "You took so sweet when

you

mpletely unlike your

usual cutthroat self."

Rowan chuckled deeply and pinched her cheek. "That's because you're the one lying next to me."

Even though he no longer needed to stay constantly vigilant even while sleeping like he had in recent years, he still found it hard to completely let his guard down. fo

But during the days she had been by his side, he was finally able to get a solid, peaceful night's rest.

Understanding the meaning behind his words, Elissa snuggled deeper into his arms. "I'll be by your side from now on."

"Rowan," she looked up at him. "You'll be able to sleep peacefully from now on."

Rowan looked down, locking eyes with her affectionate gaze. His heart trembled, and his lower abdomen tightened.

"Okay." Rowan dropped a light kiss on her forehead. "Should we get up soon? Alastair should have news by now."

"Okay." Elissa nodded, hanging onto him like a sloth. "Then carry me to brush my teeth and wash my face."

It was always like this when she was little.

When she couldn't get up, Rowan would carry her directly to the bathroom, set her

on the vanity, and let her continue dozing on his shoulder.

He would draw warm water, squeeze the toothpaste, and then steady her shoulders before giving the command, "Brush."