Chapter 6
Rumor had it that Lucas’s mother died right after giving birth to him. Later, the Blackwood family discovered that Lucas wasn’t actually related to them by blood – he was the result of his mother’s affair with another man.
From that point on, he was branded as the bastard son. Not only did outsiders look down on him, but even the Blackwood family treated him like a
curse.
“Stop messing around! This is a matter of life and death for Gabriel. If he can’t find a woman with the rare bloodline, he’ll die!”
Beatrice had completely abandoned her high-society composure, nearly dropping to her knees again, her face full of desperate pleading.
“Autumn, we’re begging you just this once. If you agree, we’ll give you anything you want!”
“Sorry, but Autumn belongs to me now.”
Lucas wrapped his arm around my waist, stepping in front of me protectively. The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
“What? When did you two…!”
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“Autumn Chase, you cheated on me behind my back. How could you be so heartless…”
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Gabriel choked on his own words, coughing up a mouthful of black blood before he could finish, his face going even paler.
I looked at Lucas with confusion too.
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When did I become his? Weren’t we just business partners? I’d help him manage his health with traditional medicine, and he’d help me deal with the Blackwood family’s bullshit.
Lucas raised an eyebrow at me, then announced to everyone.
“First of all, the moment you decided to marry Lily instead, Autumn stopped having anything to do with you.”
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“Second, even if Autumn still has her rare bloodline intact, she has zero feelings for Gabriel now. Without genuine emotion, sleeping with him won’t break the curse anyway. Unless…”
He looked at me.
I glanced at Gabriel, who was barely conscious, and spoke quietly.
“My family has practiced medicine for generations. I’ve encountered people with similar curses before. I just need to use forty-nine silver needles in a specific pattern, and it’ll save his life.”
Though… the damage to his body was already completely irreversible.
Gabriel’s body was already shrinking. What used to be a six-foot frame now looked like it belonged to a middle schooler.
Even more horrifying, his flesh was withering while his bones stayed the same size, making his skin stretch tight over his skeleton.
If we didn’t act soon, his skin would probably burst like an overinflated balloon.
Beatrice held Gabriel as he kept spitting up blood, wailing in agony, her eyes fixed on Lily with raw, burning hatred,
Charles slapped Beatrice hard across the face. “Enough! My son isn’t dead yet – stop acting like you’re at his funeral!”
Knowing what would happen if they waited any longer, he rushed over and grabbed my hands desperately.
“Please, I’m begging you. Name your price. If you’re willing to save my son, I’ll give you the entire Blackwood empire!”
I yanked my hands away.
Chapter 6
A dying empire? No thanks.
“I’m not interested in your business. All I want is…”
Before I could finish, Lily rushed over and got between Charles and me.
“Don’t listen to her lies! Her family’s dirt poor – how could she possibly know anything about acupuncture? She’s just taking advantage of your panic to scam the family fortune! Please don’t fall for it!”
Her words made Charles pause and think, his eyes now full of suspicion as he looked at me.
“Autumn Chase, how do you prove you’re qualified?”
“Don’t believe me then. Get this straight – you’re the ones begging me!”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed Lucas’s arm, heading for the door.
