Chapter 534

Lawrence left Winnie's mansion and received a phone call from the doctor he had met that morning while driving.

"Mr. Rodriguez." The doctor's voice was tinged with fear. "The powder from the capsule container you gave me is not amoxicillin. It is a tranquilizer."

Lawrence's imposing figure stiffened against the leather seat, his eyes opening with realization. "I see. Bryan, turn around!"

Bryan slammed the brakes on the Bentley and looked back. "Mr. Rodriguez, where are we headed?"

"Get in touch with Jeremy. I need him to have a word with that doctor, Leo."

His words carried a deliberate chill, laced with intent.

Bryan grasped their implication.

At two o'clock, Leo was discreetly invited by Jeremy into a house.

Bound at the wrists, Leo stumbled inside, and as he lifted his gaze, he caught sight of the long legs of two men clad in impeccably tailored trousers.

His gaze followed upward, meeting the stern, shadowed face of Lawrence in the dim light.

"Lawrence?" Leo's voice was edged with fear, and his heart tightened.

Lawrence was surprisingly courteous, nodding at Jeremy to untie him.

Once released from his restraints, Leo, too apprehensive to rise, remained seated on the ground, overshadowed by the man's imposing demeanor. He glanced up, managing a forced smile. "Mr. Rodriguez, may I inquire as to why you've requested my presence?"

"Nothing much." Lawrence flicked his lighter, crossing his legs casually as he chuckled. "I was just recalling the amoxicillin you prescribed me last night. Quite funny how I didn't remember anything after taking it."

Leo's complexion paled instantly.

However, recalling Ishara's abilities, Leo realized that any traces of the drug in Lawrence's system would likely be eradicated. He maintained his composure. "Mr. Rodriguez, you jest. Standard amoxicillin is an antibiotic; it couldn't induce amnesia."

"Regular medication?" Lawrence lifted his gaze, pulling out a hospital report. "Take a closer look. You prescribed me a tranquilizer."

Jeremy snatched the paper, tossing it onto Leo's head before grasping him by the scalp. "Can't you read? You had the audacity to prescribe a tranquilizer to someone like Mr. Rodriguez?"

Leo, understanding that Mr. Rodriguez's influence could swiftly ruin his career and reputation with a single word to the police or to the elder Mr. Rodriguez, felt the weight of impending consequences.

"So, your career as a doctor, your reputation; are they still intact?" Leo asked, his gaze fixed on the sheet of paper as sweat poured down his face. He looked up at Lawrence, sensing the man's cunning and frightening precision. "Mr. Rodriguez, I only gave you one capsule. After you took it, how could any traces remain?"

"One can never be too cautious. I left a trace of powder on the box," Lawrence said with icy detachment. "I just didn't expect you to have such nerve. After I passed out, what else did you and Ishara do to me?"

"I'm innocent. I only prescribed that single pill," Leo insisted, shaking his head emphatically, denying any further involvement.

"Do you believe I could make sure you don't see tomorrow's sunrise if you dared drug me?"

"Spare me, Mr. Rodriguez! It was just a sedative; it's harmless to your health."

Lawrence flicked his lighter to life, the crimson flame casting shadows over his unfathomable eyes, which grew even more chilling. He paused for a second and then pursed his lips slightly. "Don't be too nervous. Let's cut to the chase. You've met my son, Oscar, haven't you?"

Leo recoiled, nearly stumbling backward, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief as he locked eyes with Lawrence. Panic flickered across his features. "What do you mean, your son Oscar? I've never met him."

Lawrence rose to his feet, the polished leather of his shoes echoing against the floor as he approached Leo, his gaze penetrating. He poised the tip of his shoe just above Leo's outstretched hand, his voice low yet commanding, sending a chill down Leo's spine. "You've prescribed medication for his asthma. I stumbled upon it by chance. That proves you've crossed paths with him. Where is Ishara keeping him? Are you aiding her in controlling the child?"

"No, I don't know what you're talking about. My relationship with Ishara is purely professional. Aside from the hospital, I go nowhere. You can verify that!"

"I've checked. I also know that Dr. Leo has a five-year-old daughter at home. If your daughter were to be kidnapped one day, wouldn't you be in a panic?"

Leo's mind was in turmoil, desperately maintaining his composure. "I honestly haven't seen your son, Lawrence. Please, leave my family out of this."

"So, Ishara has hidden him well?" Lawrence's hand was suddenly around his throat.

Leo gasped for air, his eyes wide with fear and silence.

This silence confirmed Lawrence's suspicion; Leo must have had contact with Oscar.

Lawrence's grip slipped as he struggled for air, and he let go of him.

Leo collapsed to the ground, with the man towering above him, issuing an unyielding threat. "I'm giving you time to reconsider. Betray Ishara and tell me where is Oscar."

"I have no idea. I only met the kid once. He was taken away after that, and I never saw him again," Leo roared in frustration.

Lawrence didn't believe him. "Think harder. Where is he? Safely bring me the boy, and I'll forget all about the poison you slipped me. Your family will be safe."

Pale and trembling, Leo was escorted out by Jeremy.

Jeremy shoved him into a car and then came right back.

With his back to the light, Lawrence stood as a dark silhouette against the window, the cigarette between his fingers long extinguished.

Frowning, Jeremy spoke up, "Mr. Rodriguez, this Leo admits to having seen Oscar just once. He claims he doesn't know where Oscar was taken. Can we trust him to lead us to Oscar?"

"He's a doctor. He could easily have Oscar under control. He has to be Ishara's middleman. Keep a close watch on him." Lawrence turned his head. "But don't press him too hard. I don't want Ishara to panic and do something rash, putting Oscar in danger. Plus, my mother's transplant surgery hasn't been done yet."

Jeremy understood. If they could quietly rescue Oscar before the transplant, that would be ideal. Otherwise, they would have to wait until Ishara surrendered the spinal tissue before Lawrence could confront her.

Back at home, Leo paced with unease until his wife approached and whispered, "A lady came by looking for you. She's upstairs waiting."

His heart caught in his throat as he rushed upstairs.

Ishara sat in the living room. As Leo entered, looking harried, she asked, "Leo, where have you been? Your wife said you vanished this afternoon; she was about to call the police."

"It's nothing," Leo lied uneasily as he closed the door and approached. "Ms. Ishara, did you need to see me for something urgent?"

Setting down her glass after taking a sip of water, Ishara's voice dropped to a whisper, tinged with excitement. "Yes, it's something extremely urgent. You're the top doctor in my lab, with extensive research expertise, even though it's not officially sanctioned for medical purposes. Nonetheless, your methods are proven. Now, I want to undergo an embryo pregnancy."

Leo was stunned as he inquired, "You want to conceive a child with what happened last night with Lawrence? But I don't have his samples."

Shaking her head, her eyes narrowed slyly as she retorted, "Winnie might already have a viable embryo inside her. I know you have the skills to transplant an embryo."

Shock etched across Leo's face as his eyes widened in disbelief.