Chapter 223
“Father, Dylan’s back, Anthony reported quietly.
Gabriel didn’t even look up from the letter in his hand as he asked, “Did he come back on his own, or did you drag him?”
“I brought him,” Anthony replied, eyes downcast
Gabriel snorted, unimpressed. “Fine. Let’s see him then
This wasn’t Gabriel’s first time entering Anthony’s secret chamber–but for Matthew and Dylan, it was.
After the servants had discovered this hidden space behind Anthony’s study, Gabriel had indeed been furious. But instead of sealing it off, he privately gave Anthony permission to continue his poison research–on the condition that it was never used on family.
Clearly, that line had now been crossed.
Gabriel stepped in, his tone sharp and direct. “Dylan, I’m sure Matthew and Anthony have explained everything. So I’ll just ask once–will you go speak to Eliza, or not?”
Unlike his twin Matthew, whose limbs had already been rendered useless with softening poison, Dylan was still weak but conscious, lying limp on the stone slab, unable to move.
He stared back at Gabriel and, to everyone’s surprise, opened his mouth and said flatly, “Of course I will. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it. Will that satisfy you?”
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, studying him, but said nothing.
Dylan forced a bitter smile. “What’s wrong, Father? Not the answer you were hoping for?”
Gabriel’s voice dropped cold. Is this some kind of game to you?”
“Game Dylan laughed faintly. “I’m your son. I simply do as you taught me–treat others the way they treat me. If anyone’s been playing games, it’s you, not me.”
Gabriel’s gaze darkened. “All I asked was that you help save Sophie. Is that so difficult?”
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“It is,” Dylan snapped, eyes blazing. “Yes, it is! Matthew and Anthony may be idiots, but I’m not anymore. You all want me to pretend Eliza lied about Sophie stealing our mother’s corpse–but I was there. I saw it. I heard it. I saw exactly what your beloved daughter did–how vile she really-”
Gabriel struck him across the face.
“You’re clearly in league with Eliza now,” he said coldly. “To slander Sophie like this–are you so far gone you’ll even lie her?”
“Slander? You mean the truth you refuse to see?” Dylan barked. “You just can’t admit it–your precious little bastard daughter is more important to you than anyone!”
Gabriel snapped, “Enough! You’re impossible!”
He reached forward, grabbed Dylan’s jaw in a tight grip, and ordered, “Anthony, give him the medicine. Two extra pills.”
Anthony hesitated. “Father, this dosage is too much. It’ll hurt him–be won’t recover easily.”
Gabriel was unmoved. “He brought it on himself. Besides, now that he’s aligned with Eliza, we can’t afford to have him slip up. Overdose him if you must. There won’t be a second chance.”
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10:43 Sat, 19 Apri
Chapter 223
That was enough for Anthony
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He silently pulled out three dark brown pills and, one by one, forced them down Dylan’s throat. Dylan’s eyes reddened, his body twitching as he tried to resist—but his limbs were limp. He could only stare helplessly as the world around him began
to fade
His eyes grew dull. His body slackened.
Gabriel finally let go.
“That’s it?” Matthew asked quietly,
Gabriel nodded. The medicine’s kicking in. It’ll take about half an hour before we can wake him up.”
“Then I’ll stay and watch him. Matthew offered. “Father, Anthony–you both should rest.”
Gabriel considered it, then nodded. “Fine. We’ll leave him with you.”
Once the two left, only Matthew and Dylan remained in the cold stone room.
Matthew looked at his twin, so alike in appearance yet now lying so still and powerless.
He sighed. “Dylan… why did it have to come to this?”
He’d given Dylan so many chances, but his brother had refused every single one. And now? Now he could only hope the side effects wouldn’t be too severe.
Matthew noticed Dylan’s eyes were still open. With another sigh, he reached out to close them–only to pause.
His fingertips brushed against something wet.
He pulled his hand back.
He’s crying?
Stunned, Matthew leaned closer and then, barely audible, he heard it
“Eliza…” Dylan had whispered her name.
Half an hour later, Matthew called Gabriel and Anthony back in.
Anthony pricked Dylan’s forehead, drew a drop of blood, then slapped him lightly across the cheek. “Dylan. Time to wake up.”
Dylan stirred, blinked, and yawned. He looked around blearily, as if he’d merely taken a nap.
“Huh? Father? Matthew? Anthony? Why are you all here? What’s going on?”
Matthew stiffened.
Anthony’s face was calm. “Dylan, do you remember what day it is? What you’re supposed to do today?”
“Of course I do,” Dylan replied confidently. “It’s Sophie’s coming–of–age ceremony. Wait–what time is it? Did I oversleep? Is that why you’re all here to wake me up!”
He tried to sit up–only to find his limbs unresponsive.
“What the why can’t I move? What’s going on?” His brows furrowed. “This isn’t my room… What did you
did you do to me?”
Chapter 993
Authony muned to Gabriel and gave a small nock–It worked
Gabriel stepped forward and said calmly, “Don’t panic, Some things happened while you were asleep. I need to explain everything to you”
Still confused, Dylan blinked, then nodded slowly. “Okay. Whatever you need, Father
One hour later, Dylan stormed out of the Stonor estate, face dark with fury.
As luck would have it, Benedict was just returning home and spotted him.
“Dylan? When did you get back? Are you, moving back in?” Benedict called out, hopeful.
But Dylan didn’t hear him. Or didn’t care.
He mounted his horse and galloped straight out of Hasen City–heading toward Mount Westin
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