Despite his lingering doubts, Peregrine remained silent and decided not to pursue the matter further. Why would Frieda invite me over if Frieda is not on good terms with Roxanne? Even the man named Shawn has never shown up. Jonathan and Peregrine then entered the lab. Madilyn, who had just finished her lunch, started operating the machines again.
Upon spotting Peregrine in the lab, she stopped working and greeted him, “You’re here, Old. Mr. Lomax.”
Peregrine nodded, gesturing for her to continue her work while he stood beside her and watched. As time continued to tick away, a molecular formula began to appear on the screen. Some ingredients the system suggested even got Peregrine thinking about what other ingredients they could go with.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the phone, the experts brought in the results of the blood test. Roxanne looked at the thin paper and went deep in thought. Peregrine and Roxanne examined the ingredients together, but they could not quite identify one specific medicinal herb.
The elderly man stared at the molecular formula on the screen and murmured, “It seems there’s no need to neutralize the effect of the poisonous herbs that appeared in our analysis with that particular medicinal herb.”
Clearly, someone had altered the molecular formula on the screen. It was unlikely for anyone to use that medicinal herb to dispel the poison. Yet, Jack used it to concoct the antidote for Roxanne.
Meanwhile, over at the Queen residence, Frieda began dressing up after ending the call with Jonathan. After spending an hour doing her makeup and another thirty minutes trying on clothes, she headed off to the mansion in the suburbs to meet Shawn.
She could have clarified things with him over the phone, but she chose to meet him because she had an ulterior motive.
Time ticked by slowly. As the sky grew darker, more components of the antidote were known. But alas, there was still no lead on the most crucial medicinal herb. Roxanne’s condition was worsening.
At noon, she could still sit up by herself. However, at that moment, she had to lean against Lucian to sit up. She had to clench her jaw all the time to prevent herself from groaning due to the severe pain.
“We’re running out of time. I’m contacting Jack now!” The sight of her in pain made Lucian feel extremely anxious.
Roxanne grabbed his wrist with great difficulty and said, “Let’s wait a little longer. I can still hold on for a little while.” We still have hope as long as we’re not at a critical moment.
Holding on to the last hope, Peregrine tapped on the molecular formula on the screen and said, “Let’s do another test. I want to find out what this is!” Without wasting any time, Madilyn poured the liquid onto the apparatus and did another test.
Before the results were out, Peregrine suddenly came to a realization and said in a deep voice, “I got it! The key is not the medicinal herb. It’s a chemical added during the manufacturing process!”
The altered molecular formula was exactly the result of the medicinal herbs mixed with chemicals. Upon hearing that, Madilyn, too, came to her senses and said to Roxanne excitedly, “Roxanne, did you hear that? Old Mr. Lomax has figured out the key ingredient. We can start creating the antidote right away!”
Creating the antidote was a piece of cake as long as they knew what the key component of the poison was. Roxanne heaved a sigh of relief and forced a smile. “That’s great.”
Madilyn had been busy conducting tests the entire afternoon that she did not realize Roxanne’s current condition.
The moment Madilyn noticed Roxanne’s condition had worsened, the smile on her face gradually disappeared and was replaced with a look of worry. “But we’re running out of time. We’ve spent so much time figuring out the components of the poison…”
Judging by Roxanne’s condition, she might not be able to hold on until we’ve created the antidote. Roxanne assured calmly, “Don’t worry. We still have time. You’ll definitely create it in time. Don’t panic.”
Madilyn’s eyes were red with tears when she heard Roxanne’s weak voice. When she saw Peregrine still fumbling around for the formula of the antidote, her panic rose to new heights.
Moments later, Peregrine approached the phone screen and glanced at Roxanne with a grim look. “This isn’t quite right.”
Roxanne felt her heart sink a little. “Why would you say that?” Peregrine shook his head slowly. “Based on my medical experience, this formula can slow down the effect of the poison, but it doesn’t get rid of it completely. It doesn’t work that way no matter how much you consume.”
Just then, Roxanne thought of something, and she was shocked by Jack’s viciousness. With a frown, she asked, “Is it possible that this isn’t an antidote at all? Instead, it only functions to slow down the effects of the poison?”
Jack wants to use this tactic to acquire Farwell Group and the research institute. The thought of that sent a chill down Roxanne’s spine. She turned to look at Lucian and held his hand.
At first, she was open to the option of Lucian looking for Jack if they came to a dead end. However, after realizing what Jack had been planning, she could not let Lucian meet Jack anymore.
Jack already knows we’re trying to find the antidote. Who knows what he’ll do to it when Lucian meets him?
Roxanne’s speculation stunned Madilyn. “It’s not an antidote? Then what do we do now?” We’ve put in so much effort, yet the antidote’s still unknown. Roxanne’s already so weak. There’s no way she can hold on until we discover the antidote.
Madilyn was at a loss for what to do. All she wished was to slip through the screen and stay by Roxanne’s side.
Lucian was equally shocked, and his hatred for Jack rose to new heights. That jerk. He really has a death wish. “Let me think…”
Roxanne clenched her other hand so tightly that her nails sunk into her flesh, hoping to suppress the pain in her body.
I’ve got to calm down. We know the components of the poison already. I’m sure I can think of a formula to suppress the poison. Just as she was racking her brains for a formula, her head began to hurt, and it grew increasingly painful.
“There’s no time for that. The poison’s properties will soon overcome the antidote.” Peregrine’s voice rang out on the other end of the call. Anxiousness flooded Peregrine’s heart as he cast Roxanne a solemn gaze.
Although they had only met once, he could not deny he was impressed with Roxanne’s perseverance and medical skills.
It would be a huge loss to the medical industry if they lost someone as talented as her. That was why Peregrine was eager to find a way to cure her.
Roxanne subconsciously gripped Lucian’s wrist so tightly that her nails dug into his flesh. Lucian was in pain, but he still fixed his gaze on her, looking worried and conflicted.
The same thought that crossed Roxanne’s mind crossed his too. However, he could not bring himself to let Roxanne suffer so much. “I’m going to see Jack!” Lucian stood up with a grimace.
Upon hearing that, Roxanne turned her head in pain and said through gritted teeth, “No! You mustn’t see him! Even if he gives me the antidote this time, it’ll only make it more difficult for me to figure it out.”
If we keep seeing him, he’ll start to have full control over us.
“Roxanne…” Lucian felt as if he was experiencing her pain. His heart ached so much that he found it hard to breathe.
Forcing a smile, Roxanne turned to Madilyn and said, “… I think I’ve figured it out. Tell Old Mr. Lomax to wait in the research institute. Archie will go over in a while to help him.” Then she looked at Lucian. “Lucian, get me a pen and a piece of paper.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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