Chapter 529

Paul found amusement in the situation. Lawrence treated Ishara decently and with gentleness, dispelling any concerns he had earlier.

He stood up alongside Mrs. Rodriguez. "Lawrence, Mrs. Rodriguez and I have to step out for a while. Since tonight marks your engagement dinner with Ishara, we won't intrude. Enjoy your meal." He then left the place with Mrs. Rodriguez.

The room fell into silence as the house staff gradually left. Without uttering a word and appearing indifferent, Lawrence took his seat to begin his meal.

"Lawrence, I made this dish myself. Please, give it a try," Ishara said, passing him a plate.

"I don't eat chicken," he replied, declining her coldly. His demeanor has changed in a heartbeat. Ishara understood that he was just going along with her grandfather earlier out of respect. Behind closed doors, his disdain for her was transparent. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Leo sat at the table, visibly uncomfortable as if on pins and needles. He hadn't anticipated Lawrence's private disdain for the lady which caught him off guard. He dared not glimpse at her expression.

A chilling aura emanated from Lawrence, enveloping the table. "Is this Leo?" Suddenly, Lawrence. turned his gaze to Leo and broke the silence.

Noticing his undue interest in Leo, Ishara nervously fidgeted with her fingers and absentmindedly nodded. "Leo, Lawrence is feeling unwell and he is having some trouble breathing. Could you check on him?"

Lawrence paused mid-meal, placing his fork on the table. Ishara's gaze remained fixed on the untouched food before him. She pondered how the substance she had discreetly added to his meal would take effect if he hadn't even started eating. Her eyes darted around anxiously, seeking any sign of acknowledgment or suspicion.

Meanwhile, Lawrence approached Leo, saying, "Leo, I'm feeling sick and I can't eat. Could you check my symptoms now?"

Leo discreetly cast a glance at Ishara, recalling their prior discussion on what to do with Lawrence. Maintaining a composed demeanor, Leo lifted his gaze to Lawrence and responded, "Absolutely, that's entirely plausible. Our mission as physicians is to heal the sick and assist the injured. Right this way, please."

Lawrence stepped out of the living room onto the moonlit veranda. Leo was caught off guard by Lawrence's decision to deliberately distance himself from Ishara during the consultation. Reluctantly, Leo had no option but to follow along.

Ishara squinted her eyes, wondering what ailment he intended to examine and what he might ask Leo. Right now, if she followed, it would seem all too intentional. So, she pretended to clean up the dining table and headed for the kitchen, which was closer to the veranda.

Beneath the overhanging eaves, Lawrence's imposing figure obstructed the spotlight, highlighting his features dramatically. However, as he spoke, his voice was gentle, carrying a hint of concern. "Leo, I've observed your commendable efforts in treating Ishara. To be honest, I've been grappling with asthma for years."

"Asthma?" Leo was surprised at his revelation. He then pulled out his stethoscope and examined him. "Mr. Rodriguez, you seem very robust, not the typical image of someone with asthma."

Lawrence chuckled and shook his head. "Some folks, including children, appear quite healthy and don't seem asthmatic, right?"

Leo had a realization, he smiled faintly and said, "Symptoms aren't always visibly apparent. We doctors often pick up on signs during an attack. Can you describe your symptoms?"

As per Winnie's information, Lawrence explained his state, his complexion appearing pallid under the light. "I seldom experience episodes but when they occur, they are intense. If I don't have my asthma inhaler, I could quickly go into shock."

Leo's expression remained calm as if such symptoms were not unusual for him. "What medication do you typically use? Show me."

Lawrence produced his asthma inhaler and a bottle of pills from his pocket and held it up to him.

As Leo examined the bottle, he noticed the label on it and inadvertently furrowed his brow. "Mr. Rodriguez, I think you've got the wrong medication. This is actually for children with asthma. You might not have realized when you bought it."

"Is that so?" Lawrence was slightly surprised as he took another look. "A subordinate of mine purchased it. Where does it say it's for children?"

"Right here." Leo pointed to the note on the label and smiled reassuringly. "While this medication isn't commonly found in the market, it's highly effective. However, there have been issues with the packaging, resulting in frequent confusion. Remember to double-check next time."

Lawrence scrutinized him for a moment in silence then nodded slowly. He then asked, "I want to know if this condition could be passed on to my child. I have a son, over three years old now, but he's with his mother and I don't know if he's inherited my illness." He casually observed Leo's expression, as if he was doing it without much thought.

Leo knew who he was talking about. A flicker of discomfort crossed his face before he replied slowly, "Typically, asthma isn't a hereditary condition passed down from parents. In cases where a child experiences it, it might stem from irreversible respiratory system damage occurring at birth."

A surge of anguish pierced Lawrence's soul. Oscar has ingested cold seawater due to a past incident, which has left him with the lingering curse of asthma.

His thoughts recoiled and Leo's slip-up became apparent after their probing conversation. Lawrence changed the subject. "Thanks, that eases my mind." He turned and headed back toward the living room, intending to leave the Blanchet family home.

Leo caught the look coming from Ishara in the kitchen and quickly stopped Lawrence. "Mr. Rodriguez, earlier you mentioned having respiratory discomfort and being unable to eat. In my medicine cabinet, I have some common anti-inflammatory medication. Your asthma hasn't flared up recently but your tonsils are quite inflamed. Take some medicine and you'll feel better by tomorrow."

Leo extended the medicine with the compassion of a healer. Since Lawrence had feigned illness to get close, he couldn't refuse the pill without arousing suspicion. He glanced at the capsule, an unopened Amoxicillin and popped it into his mouth.

"Thanks," he said. Lawrence, caught in a whirlwind of haste and stress, had unwittingly succumbed to a severe infection, leaving no room for a visit to the hospital. Despite his desire for Winnie to examine him, the opportune moment never presented itself.

He returned to the living room and picked up his suit jacket. Ishara stepped out with a look of distress. "Lawrence, are you leaving already?"

"I've done what you asked of me." His voice carried a sharp edge of sarcasm while his intense gaze bore into the depths of Ishara's eyes with unmistakable hostility. Memories of his mother's battle with leukemia after a painful spinal tap and the mysterious disappearance of Oscar surged within him, fueling a desire to confront the deceitful woman and unleash his frustration.

Her constant manipulation disgusted him to his core. But he had to rescue the two most important people in his life first and only then could he make his move.

As he walked out of the residence, Ishara called out from behind, saying, "Lawrence, let me walk you out."

Lawrence's car was parked at a midway point on the hill and as he descended the road, a mere three hundred feet later, the slender silhouette of the man came to an abrupt stop. A wave of impenetrable darkness enveloped him suddenly. Lawrence collapsed with a solid thud, his robust frame resonating against the ground, unconscious before he could react.

"Leo!" Ishara squinted her eyes and turned to call for Leo.