Chapter 80
“Slap!”
Talia’s long manicured nails dug into Roberta’s face as she viciously cursed, “You witch, where do yo think you’re going with that bag? Are you planning to see your crazy mother or run away?”
“Mrs. Walsh..” Roberta bit her lip. Though her voice was weak, she looked firm.
‘I’m not your prisoner. I have the freedom to go wherever I want. Plus, haven’t you always hated me? If I leave, it would just be perfect.
Talia cackled. “The witch has learned to talk back. It seems you’ve forgotten about what happened in that village. Do you need me to help you remember?”
She played a video with a few taps on her phone. The screen showed a scene of horror where a young lady begged hoarsely for mercy while men laughed cruelly.
Roberta’s face turned deathly pale, and the courage she had mustered instantly crumbled.
She clutched her ears, shook her head frantically, and cried out, “Stop it! Stop it! Don’t play it anymore, please!”
Talia sneered as she put the phone away and looked at Roberta with disdain. “Listen to me, you’re nothing but my lowly follower. You’ll do whatever I tell you to.
“Dare defy me again, and I’ll send your crazy mother to hell. Do you understand?”
“I understand “Roberta choked out. Her voice was hoarse from crying as she lay prostrate on the ground with Talia trampling on her dignity and pride. Even her soul felt shattered.
Only then did Talia seem satisfied. She withdrew her foot and spoke with a tone one would use to command a dog. “I’m going to the front to create a distraction for Mr. Walsh Senior.
“Figure out a way to get me that thing. If you don’t get it done by today, you know what will happen.”
Roberta could only beg. “I’ll do my best. Just don’t hurt my mom.
“That depends on how well you do!”
With that, Talia strutted away and took her two children with her. The twins were precious darlings of Noah’s family and Roberta’s step–siblings.
The twins had always taken pleasure in bullying Roberta by mimicking their mother’s behavior. They were the reason Talia had arrived just in time to catch Roberta trying to leave.
They had followed Roberta in secret and reported to Talia when they saw her hastily packing her things.
Roberta’s hatred burned deep, but when she thought of her mother still
in the sanatorium, her resolve faltered. She unclenched her fists.
She stood up from the floor and moved like a soulless puppet as she walked toward the library. The key to the pharmacy was with Felicia.
To get her hands on the poison, she’d have to find a way to get Felicia to open the door.
Felicia had just finished reading two books in the library. She had a habit of first skimming through the content and memorizing it before rereading the practices until she’d fully mastered it.
Just as she was about to pick up a third book, there was a knock at the door followed by Roberta’s voice.
“Aunt Felicia, I brought you some fruit and juice. You can come out and have some if you’re hungry.”
It was a rule of the Walsh residence that outsiders were not permitted to enter and no one was allowed to eat in the library.
Felicia ignored Roberta’s offer and continued reading her book.
But Robert’s voice came again. She sounded persistent. “Aunt Felicia, you’ve probably read all the books in the library by now. How about taking a look at the pharmacy?
“I heard it’s full of prescriptions Great–grandpa created when he was younger. Some of the medicines are priceless”
Clive–that would be Mr. Walsh Senior, Felicia’s grandfather–had been a legendary figure in his younger days and saved countless lives with his silver needles. He had made a name for himself with his prescriptions and was as skilled in medicine as he was with poison.
If he hadn’t sworn to never meddle with poison again, he might have been the top–ranked assassin in the world.
Felicia’s interest was piqued
She had indeed gone through most books in the library, but she had never been to the pharmacy.
Since the opportunity was there, why not take it?
Felicia walked out and raised an eyebrow. “Where’s the pharmacy? Lead the way”
