t a time, the encrypted countdown

through three proxy servers bounced direct

manor, Eleanor Cooper sat behind a ma

creen to reveal an

l signing. My adoptive mother, Brenda Shaw, has locked me away, claiming t

f pure venom. Without hesitation, sh

he second ring. "Mrs. Coope

ns regarding the arrangement," Eleanor inter

r. "No! Absolutely not! It

n why did your wife lock Ava i

must be a misu

omestic squabbles," Eleano

te gives, and the Cooper estate takes away. That five million dollar lifeline

hung

en, the dial tone buzzing in his ear. The p

, and he walke

ross the face. She screamed, collapsing against the sofa. He furiously

cked him in

hed open the double oak door

monitors, his skin an ashen gray, his ch

ed Ava's path. "Miss, thi

glare pinning the doctor to the fl

eath Arthur's fingernails, the irregular rhythm of hi

against his radial artery, cl

erile acupuncture ne

ol strictly forb

r canvas jacket, she unrolled a slim velvet pouch acr

d. A long needle sank into the Baihui point at the crown of Ar

steady as a su

on complicated by profound Qi depletion," A

ssants are destroying his liver and kidneys.

ensivist yelled. "Th

g directly to Julian. "B

ring, crystalline blue eyes.

led to obey the bi

here. A rich, ancient herbal scent flooded the sterile room as she cracked the seal. Crushing

harsh death rattle in Ar

ks. His eyelids fluttered, and his weathered hand reac

you?" Arthur wh

a choked lau

is only stabilizes him. To permanently purge the synthetic tox

need to leave the estate

cade and private security r

d, picking up a dark trench coat