Chapter 441

Anastasia shoved Mr. Evert and Lauren aside, snatching the silver needles from their hands without hesitation.
Her movements were deft and swift as she pressed the needles into several precise points on Mr. Calderon’s body. Within moments, his ragged breathing steadied, if only slightly.
“Where’s the medicine I asked for?” she demanded, her sharp gaze cutting straight through the butler.
The man shrank back, intimidated by her presence. “It’s still simmering, ma’am— almost ready!”
“Bring it to me as soon as it’s done!”
“Yes, right away!” he stammered, rushing from the room. In less than a minute, he hurried back, personally carrying a steaming bowl of the dark, bitter remedy.
“Give it to him,” Anastasia ordered.
Lauren stepped forward, blocking the way. “You can’t give him that!” she snapped, her voice edged with panic. “Are you trying to kill him?”
The butler hesitated, caught between the two women.
With a sharp laugh, Anastasia shot back, “And who was it that nearly killed him already?”
Lauren froze, her confidence wavering.
Anastasia turned to the butler, her tone icy. “You need to decide-are you going to listen to me, or to her? Or do you want to stand by and watch your master slip away?”
The butler hesitated only a second before gritting his teeth and nodding to the maid. “Give him the medicine.”
The liquid was quickly poured down Mr. Calderon’s throat.
Everyone watched anxiously, but instead of improving, his condition took a turn for the worse. His face flushed bright red, his body burning up. In seconds, he was burning with fever, skin hot to the touch-his temperature must have shot up to over 104 degrees!
He looked like he was about to burn out completely.
“Ms. Sterling! What’s happening?” the butler cried, panic rising in his voice.
Mr. Calderon’s body had swung from one extreme to the other, and it looked just as dire as before.
Lauren let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. So much for Anastasia’s miracle cure-she was just as helpless.
“Anastasia, this is a man’s life at stake!” Mr. Evert barked, his voice harsh with accusation. “Is this your idea of treatment?”
Anastasia ignored them, eyes fixed on the feverish man. Without hesitation, she began another round of needling, hands steady despite the sweat beading on her brow.
Mr. Evert watched her, half-convinced by her
composure until he realized her
pattern seemed haphazard, the
could follow. His face are
needles placed with no logic he
outrage.
She was gambling with a man’s life.
When the last needle was in place, Anastasia’s forehead glistened with sweat, but her expression remained composed. “He’ll wake up soon,” she said calmly.
Lauren had said the same thing earlier, and things had only gotten worse. No one could bring themselves to believe her, not really.
A few minutes later, Anastasia began removing the needles, one by one.
Once the last was out, Mr. Calderon lay still, unmoving. His fever had finally begun to break, the flush in his cheeks fading, but he showed no sign of waking.
The butler’s hope slowly ebbed away, replaced by bitter disappointment.
Meanwhile, Mr. Evert and Lauren exchanged a smug glance, a quiet scoff passing between them.
If Lauren couldn’t save him, how could Anastasia?
But Anastasia’s calm never wavered. She checked her watch. “He should wake in about five minutes.”
Everyone waited. Five minutes passed.
He didn’t stir.
Mr. Evert’s lips curled in a cold sneer. “Enough. We’ve wasted enough time. Let’s go.”
He turned to leave without another glance.
Lauren’s relief was obvious as she shook her head. “You’re too arrogant, Anastasia. If I can’t help him, how could you?” Follow current novᴇls on (.)net
She followed Evert out, Cora and Erin sighing as they trailed after her.
The butler managed a weary, apologetic smile. “Ms. Sterling, please
Anastasia’s frustration showed in
the deep furrow of her brow. “Jume
few more minutes. His body is too.. weak that’s all he just needs a little longer
But the butler had already lost hope, ushering her toward the door.
Anastasia cast one last look at the handsome man lying motionless in the bed. There was nothing left for her to do. With a heavy heartshe turned to leave when suddenly