Chapter 95

The moment the words left Eliana's mouth, every gaze slid to Leyla's wrist-including her own.

In all the chaos, she had totally forgotten about the scratch marks.

Now that Eliana mentioned it, her memory flickered back-Davin had scratched her during the struggle.

A flash of panic crossed her eyes before she quickly masked it with a look of wounded innocence.

"Mr. Gordon said his chest hurt, so I tried to help him. He scratched me by accident. Why even bring it up?"Leyla asked, feigning confusion.

Eliana's eyes darkened. Earlier, in the operating room, she'd checked whether Davin had swallowed her pill.

If he had, the surgery would've been smoother; the pill she'd developed was designed to protect the heart.

But during the examination, she noticed dried blood under his fingernails.

She checked for the pill, butit was missing.

That alone had stirred suspicion. And now, seeing the scratch on Leyla's wrist, Eliana was almost certain.

Still, she needed proof-Davin's own words-to corner Leyla completely.

Fixing her with a cool stare, Eliana said evenly, "You'd better not be lying."

Leyla's brows furrowed. "Why would I lie about this?"

Eliana didn't bother to reply her.

The truth would surface once Davin woke up.

She'd deliberately exaggerated earlier, just loud enough for Leyla to hear.

In reality, Davin had an eighty-percent chance of waking within the week. She stepped toward Tristan, meeting his gaze with a faint, weary smile. "Looks like I owe you another favor."

Tristan gave a light shrug. "Don't worry. You don't need to pay me back."

Eliana didn't say anything else.

Leyla, however, felt a feeling of unease settle in her chest at his words-only to quickly smother the thought.She hadn't forgotten that Tristan was engaged.

Just then, Jonny appeared at her side, concern etched on his face as he asked about the injury on her wrist.

Leyla shook her head lightly. "It's nothing, just a scratch."

Jonny frowned. "That's not nothing. If it gets infected, you'll regret it. Come on, I'll take you to get it treated."

Eager to leave the tense atmosphere, Leyla didn't resist and allowed him to guide her away.

Doran instinctively moved to block them, but Tristan's sharp look held him back.

Eliana hadn't objected, which meant she had her reasons. Tristan saw no point in interfering.

Besides, Jonny's blind devotion was pathetic, but harmless. Detaining him would only breed resentment.

Soon after, Stan and Leonie hurried over to thank Eliana and Tristan before rushing off to see Davin through the ICU viewing window. Visitors were not allowed in just yet.

Watching them go, Tristan chuckled under his breath. "Davin's grandson really can't see straight."

Eliana's lips curved faintly, dismissively. "He'll see through Leyla's true color soon. No sense in arguing about it now."

Tristan's tone turned thoughtful. "You're convinced she had something to do with this?"

Eliana shook her head. "I can't say for sure she provoked Davin and made him collapse. But the pill I gave him... it's gone. Davin wouldn't throw away even a scrap of paper I gave him. There's no way he'd discard that pill." Just then, Rocco rushed over and opened his palm. Resting there was a pill. "Ms. Murray-is this the one you gave him?"

Eliana's eyes widened. She snatched it up immediately. "Where did you find this?"

Rocco explained, "Mr. Pearson suspected Leyla, so I retraced her steps. At the café, I searched the private room and found this suck on the window ledge."

Rocco had seen Eliana hand the pill to Davin earlier, so he recognized it immediately and brought it back.

Eliana's eyes burned hotter with anger. "Leyla must have tossedit."

Tristan's brows knitted. "Want me to drag her back here?"

Eliana shook her head. "No need. Once Davin wakes, the truth will come out."

Tristan accepted that with a short nod, then turned to Doran. "Post two people by the ICU. Quietly. If anyone suspicious shows up, take them down immediately."

"Understood." Doran snapped to attention and left to carry out the order.

On Tristan's order, he ran through names of men he could trust for a job like this.

When he was gone, Eliana looked back at Tristan. "Thank you for today. I've been stretched thin lately. I may not be able to make the trip to Eighvale. If you can, bring your father to Qidence. It'll be easier for me to treat him here."

Tristan gave a small nod."Consider it done."

Elbert's condition wasn't critical, so there was no rush.

He glanced at her. "Where are you headed next?"

"Home. Carl texted-he's been waiting in the parking lot," Eliana said.

A flicker of disappointment crossed his features. She didn't need him to drive her.

Still, he smothered it wth calm patience. They had time. He could wait. "I'll walk you there," he offered.

Eliana opened her mouth to refuse. "No-"

Tristan cut her off smoothly. "Rocco's car is there too. We're heading in the same direction."

Eliana let the protest die on her lips.

As they walked, Tristan shifted the conversation. "The authorities picked up a few more members of the Fist Guild, but remnants are still out there-especially Kohen, their former leader. Be careful. His reputation is darker than Flint's, and people say he's even more skilled."

"I'll keep that in mind," Eliana said. "Thanks for the warning."

"I'll push for the rest of them to be caught soon," Tristan added.

Before she could respond, Carl and Jordy came running over.

"Lia, how's Davin?" Carl's voice cracked with urgency.

Eliana's tone softened, steady and reassuring. "The surgery's over. He's unconscious for now, but there shouldn't be any major problems."

Carl let out a long breath. Relief washed over his features. "That's great news. I wanted to check for myself but didn't want to make a mess of things, so I waited here. By the way-Mom called. She's wondering why we're still out. I gave her an excuse, but we'd better head back before she grows suspicious."

Eliana nodded in agreement. Then she turned, gave Tristan a brief nod of farewell, and slid into a car.

Halfway through the drive, Carl's phone rang again. He put it on speaker. Stella's voice, bright with excitement,filled the car. "Carl, get home quick-and bring Lia. Rowell's back."

Eliana blinked in surprise. Rowell? She remembered the name. Once a minor celebrity in the entertainment world-until Paula had all but smothered his career, unable to stand his rejection of her.