Chapter 165: Avery's Message

The hydropathic belcheri are for Gabrielle. If Avery doesn't arrive at the agreed-upon hour, Gabrielle will be thrown into the glass box like the little white mouse. Gabrielle walks to the pharmacy in the mansion.

Andrew was born with a weak heart, and even before the operation, he had to take medications. Every home he owns has its own private pharmacy. She selects the necessary medicines and quickly runs back to Andrew. Gabrielle offers Andrew a glass of water with the pills. She watches him swallow the medicine without question, and she has an idea.

"I need to go talk to the cooks," Gabrielle announces, "Your heart is weak, and you should eat a light, healthy meal. I'll let them know."

Andrew is irritated by Gabrielle's sudden seriousness. He wanted to threaten her a little, but he didn't expect her to become so humorless. He sighs and impatiently waves her from the room. She returns two hours later, personally carrying the tray with Andrew's food. Andrew takes the knife and fork and glances curiously at the menu.

"Mr. Clifford, it's my special meal for you," she explains, "Every ingredient was chosen with your heart health in mind."

Andrew lazily looks at the food.

"Is this it?" he asks.

"You should eat light food in small portions—a large and heavy meal can put unnecessary stress on the heart," she explains, gesturing at the food, "Here we have some lotus root slices to help give you energy. This is braised carp with soy sauce for protein. And these kidney beans contain antioxidants and will help boost your immune system."

Though Andrew is somewhat confused by her direct demeanor, he assumes it's a result of her fear. In a way, he prefers it to her bashful stammering. Before he can begin eating, Gabrielle serves him an extra portion of the lotus root.

"Mr. Clifford, take more of this," she says, "You need to boost your energy after your big surgery."

"Why do I see lily as well?" Andrew asks.

"It's good for you too," Gabrielle replies, "Now, don't forget to take the kidney beans."

Gabrielle prays that Andrew devours his food.

"Why are the kidney beans raw?" Andrew asks.

"Huh?" Gabrielle feigns innocence, "Maybe you don't eat them very often. This is how they're supposed to be."

"What soup is this?" Andrew asks with growing suspicion as he samples the soup.

"It's snake soup," Gabrielle answers.

"What?" Andrew asks, "Where did you get the snake?"

"I forgot to tell you Mr. Clifford died last night," Gabrielle said, coughing nervously, "I was going to bury him, but then I heard the chef saying how nutritious snakes are. I want you to get better soon, and since it was your special snake, I thought it would be good for you."

Though Gabrielle looks innocent, Andrew scowls at her.

"You drink it for me if it's so healthy," Andrew challenges.

Gabrielle grits her teeth. She knows it's risky to take part in this meal, but she needs to persuade him to finish eating it. She grabs the bowl of soup and raises it to her lips. It has an oily feeling as it slides down her throat, and she fights the urge to vomit. After several sips, Andrew is satisfied, and Gabrielle returns the bowl to the table.

Andrew eats slowly. As he works on his food, his face becomes pale, and a light sheen of sweat stands out on his forehead.

"Mr. Clifford, you look awful," Gabrielle says, "Maybe you've overeaten. Do you want me to bring you something else?"

Andrew clutches his chest and follow at Gabrielle.

"Did you put something in the meal?" he asks.

"Of course not," Gabrielle answers.

"Then, why do I feel awful?" Andrew snarls, "If it's as you say, and the food is fine, you finish the rest."

Gabrielle freezes and nervously fiddles with the hem of her dress. She's scared that Andrew is onto her, and she knows she has no choice but to do as he says. Still, his order is dangerous.

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"What are you afraid of?" Andrew hisses, "Do you want to play with the hydropathic belcheri instead?"

"No! I'll finish it," Gabrielle says quickly.

She eats with small, dainty bites and tries to keep the disgust off her face. When she finishes eating, she smiles brightly at Andrew. He scowls at her good health and gives her a warning look.

"Help me to get some rest," he commands weakly.

Gabrielle helps him up, and he leans heavily on her as she walks him to his room. He collapses onto his bed and falls unconscious as soon as his head hits the pillow. Gabrielle rushes to the nearest bathroom and forces herself to throw up.

The raw kidney bean is poisonous. Mixing lily and pork is also bad, and the mushrooms she gave him are dangerous for people with delicate hearts. As a whole, the meal exacerbates angina and causes risks to general heart health.

Gabrielle purges everything from her body and rinses her mouth in the bathroom sink. Then she removes a mold of a finger from her pocket. While Andrew is lost in unconsciousness, she uses the mold to open the safe in his bedroom.

Just before dawn, a Maybach races down the road, raising a swirl of dust behind it. As it roars up to the gate, the noise disturbs the nocturnal silence of the Howel house. Upon seeing whose car it is, the maids drop everything they're doing and rush to greet him.

Evan opens the door and steps out of the car. His hair is messy, and his face looks tired. Three buttons on his shirt have been loosened, revealing the muscles of his upper chest. The young maids blush as they look at him.

"Sir," Robert calls out, following Evan from the car.

Evan has been drinking all night, and he walks unsteadily.

"Fuck off!" Evan scowls, waving Robert away.

As Evan enters the house, he trips on a suitcase waiting by the door. He curses under his breath.

"It's Mrs. Howel's suitcase," a maid explains.

"Where is she?" Evan demands.

"She's upstairs packing," the maid replies.

"So Avery has made up her mind to leave," Evan thinks sadly, "She must be packing everything she owns so she never has to come back."

Contrary to the maid's words, Avery is not packing. She still hasn't finished the recording for the diorama. She clears her throat again but finds that the words don't come. She tests the recording device over and over, recording the same test words. She briefly considers just talking to Evan in person, but she quickly discards that idea.

"If I can't even bear to say anything to the recorder, how on Earth can I face Evan in person?" she wonders aloud.

Evan. His name seems to stop her mind from working. She sighs and puts the recorder down.

"Why can't I say a word?" she wonders, "I have so much to say to him, but as soon as I start the recorder, the words seem to stick in my throat."

Avery looks at her watch. It's five in the morning. Although it's still early in the day, she's behind schedule. She only planned to spend ten minutes on the recording. She takes a deep breath and deletes the tests and failed recordings.

"Evan, I'm gone," she said into the recorder, "I didn't want to explain anything."

"No, that won't do," she thinks, "It sounds too arrogant.

She starts again, "Evan, by the time you hear this, I'll be gone."

"No, that won't do either," she thinks, "It sounds too sad.

By the time a maid runs upstairs announcing Evan's return, she's been recording for over an hour. Avery hurries to hide the diorama in a drawer. She wants Evan to find it, but only after she's left. The recording contains an explanation of everything, and she's scared that he won't let her leave if he learns the truth beforehand.

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