Xo Novel
Chapter 45
Chapter 45
Bainbridge rubbed his cheek, his voice tinged with indignation. “He did it on purpose! He made me lose face in front of everyone.”
Jarvis ground his teeth in frustration, “Idiot! All those experts were clueless, how could he have known? Do you think he’s still the golden boy?” Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Jarvis scoffed. “Howard’s influence at Chadwick Group has been eradicated by me. The path is clear for you. He’s nothing but a washed–up has–been.”
“Dad, what about today’s mess?”
“Tomorrow, donate fifty million to a charity. I’ll get the press to play it up. You need to be generous, acting like money’s no object. Don’t come off as petty.”
“Got it.” Bainbridge felt a wave of relief.
“As for that Vivien… she’s just for fun, she’s not in your league. And her gold–digging stepmother is a delusional woman.”
“I know, I was never serious,” Bainbridge curled his los into a sly smile. “She’s still somewhat useful to me.”
Jarvis subsided his anger and spoke dispassionately. “Make sure Waldo spikes the medication. Don’t let Howard linger too long.”
“I was planning on it even if you hadn’t said anything.”
That loser was always a potential threat.
Bainbridge, having been overshadowed for years, felt an instinctual wariness.
The next day. Waldo arrived for his routine acupuncture home visit.
Marina, ever the attentive hostess, took Waldo’s medicine chest with a smile. “Dr. Waldo, you’re always so dedicated to your patients.”
*Just doing my job.”
“You’re such a good man.” Marina hesitated before asking. “About Mr. Howard’s condition. Can it be cured? You know, he’s a newlywed and he’s resorted to taking those pills.”
She muttered, looking quite vexed.
Waldo internally chuckled. The more medication, the faster the downfall But he replied soothingly. “Once his legs are healed, the rest should follow suit.”
Marina sighed in relief, “That’s such a relief to hear.” She cast a side glance at Waldo, puzzled why Howard had confided in Dr. Waldo about the little blue pills.
She led Waldo to the master bedroom, where Gwendolyn and Howard were ready for him.
After the acupuncture session, Waldo announced, “Mr. Chadwick is showing great improvement. We need to adjust his prescription.”
He drew a packet of herbal bath powder from his chest, “This is a new blend I’ve concocted, more effective.” Last night, after Mr. Bainbridge’s call, he had added quite a few ‘extras‘ to it.
One week in this, Howard wouldn’t last.
Gwendolyn stepped forward to take the powder, but Waldo pulled back, saying, “Mrs. Chadwick, could you draw the bath? I’m gonna stick around today to watch the effects.”
He wasn’t leaving!
Gwendolyn, troubled, looked at Howard, who gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
Together with Marina, Gwendolyn filled the tub with warm water and watched as Waldo poured the powder into it, releasing a potent scent, which made her anxious.
“Help me in,” Howard tugged at her sleeve, “What are you daydreaming about?”
Reluctantly, Gwendolyn assisted him into the tub. Waldo settled in the room, browsing a
medical text, occasionally glancing over at Howard.
Gwendolyn leaned in close to whisper to Howard, “Mr. Chadwick, there’s poison in today’s bath powder!”
“Can you counteract it?” he whispered back, his breath caressing her cheek.
“Yes,” replied Gwendolyn.
“If you say you can, then I trust you.”
“But if you soak too long, it could do serious damage, undoing all our progress.”
Gwendolyn reddened her eyes with anger, her gaze misty.
Ever since she found out Howard was the founder of the Stellar Crescent Foundation, she saw him through rose–colored glasses. How could she stand by and watch him suffer so much?