Chapter 205

Darlene Boyd, Horace's wife, wasn't the type to be swayed by tears or drama.

Horace could cry all he wanted, but her sharp, no-nonsense gaze cut right through him. Finally, her eyes landed on Eleanor. "What's going on?"she demanded.

Horace's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

What could he say? That Lainey had set this whole thing up? Darlene would skin him alive.

If he claimed he had been planning to keep Eleanor as a mistress, Darlene might just erase her on the spot.

Either way, the fallout would be brutal.

He had no good excuse.

Seeing him flounder, Eleanor smoothly stepped in."Mrs. Boyd, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said politely. "I'm a doctor. Horace asked me here to treat you."

Horace latched onto her words like a lifeline, nodding so fast that it looked ridiculous. "Yes, yes! Exactly!She's a doctor. I brought her here for you, my love.Are you feeling better? Any pain?"

Darlene shot him a cutting glance that shut him up instantly, then turned her attention back to Eleanor.After a long, weighing silence, she finally spoke."Thank you."

Even while she had been unconscious, she had known she was close to death.

This young woman, whoever she was, had saved her life.

And she was not the type to repay a debt with hostility.

Eleanor inclined her head slightly, keeping her tone calm and respectful. "I'm glad I could help. My name is Eleanor Warren. If you ever need me again,just say the word."

She said it with purpose. If Darlene remembered her name, Horace wouldn't dare pull anything reckless against her.

The way the two women were talking made Horace nervous. He quickly cut in, eager to separate them before more damage was done. "Baby, you've just woken up. You need to rest. Dr. Warren still has surgery to attend,so I'll see her out." Darlene, still feeling grateful, didn't argue.

Once Eleanor and Horace were outside,he finally stopped walking.

His whole demeanor had shifted. The hungry,lecherous gleam was gone,replaced with something closer to respect.

Looking at her seriously, he said, "From now on, I'll be counting on you to take care of my wife's health."

That was his way of extending an olive branch.

Eleanor raised an eyebrow at him, her lips curving faintly. "Fine," she replied. "But l've got one condition."

Horace thought she was about to make some outrageous request,but all she said was, "I'd like to go for a walk."

Being stuck inside left her no chance to learn anything or look for a way out.

Horace studied her carefully, his eyes dark with suspicion.

If he agreed, what if she bolted?

On the other hand, if he said no, she could easily complain to his wife and let slip a few ugly truths.Darlene finding out? That was a nightmare he couldn't afford.

After a long pause, he gave in. "Fine. But you stay close, and I'm sending someone with you."

Eleanor didn't argue. She had gotten what she wanted.Without another word, she turned and strolled toward the courtyard.

Horace's eyes followed her, darker than before.

Just then, a lackey slipped out from the shadows and whispered, "Boss,shnould we still get rid of her?"

But before the man could even blink, Horace whirled around and sent him crashing to the ground with a brutal kick. "Scram!"

The grunt coughed, limping away, and Horace spat after him, seething.

That damned Lainey.

She was the one who had wanted Eleanor dead.What a short-sighted fool.

Didn't she see the value standing right in front of them?

Eleanor wasn't just any woman-her medical skills were a treasure.

With her on their side, the organization could grow even stronger.

The more Horace thought about it, the more the idea consumed him. His lips curled into a grin.

"You there!" he barked after the lackey not far away.

The man hurried back at once, bowing eagerly. "Boss,what do you need?"

"Set everything up. I'm going to make her mine,"Horace declared, stroking his chin, with eyes full of greed. "But don't let my wife get wind of it before it's done."

The lackey's jaw dropped, but he quickly plastered on a smile and nodded. "I'm on it."

He took several steps but then stopped mid-step and turned back with a strange glint in his eyes. "Boss,when I saw the way she used those needles earlier,it reminded me of someone."

Horace narrowed his gaze."Who?"

The man swallowed hard before whispering,"The Soul Surgeon."

Even saying the name sent a chill down his spine."They say the Soul Surgeon's skills with needles are godlike and able to drag the dying back from death itself,Pure miracles." Horace's eyes flickered with excitement.

He had heard the rumors too, though only as whispers in the underworld.

If Eleanor really was that legendary figure..

If she could save the dying, then surely she could fix other problems too. Problems he didn't dare speak aloud. Maybe she could help him get the child he desperately wanted.

The greed in his chest swelled, and he crooked his finger for the underling to come closer.