“Poisoned?” Sophia was stunned and couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

The doctor rattled off a bunch of medical terms she didn’t quite understand. Then he explained it again in layman’s terms, and it finally clicked.

Caleb had been poisoned with a chronic toxin that was colorless and tasteless when dissolved in water. Small doses didn’t cause any obvious symptoms, but prolonged ingestion would slowly damage his internal organs and eventually become fatal.

While Tessa was still in critical condition, Caleb had been rushed into the ER as well.

The hospital issued a critical condition notice. After Sophia signed it, she stood there in a daze.

Pieces started falling into place in her mind. She remembered how Caleb had been losing a lot of hair lately. She’d noticed it, of course.

But she didn’t think much of it and just assumed it was age catching up to him. A lot of men around that age start going bald, some even ending up with those classic horseshoe patterns.

Then there was his dwindling appetite and the dark circles deepening under his eyes. He looked more drained as the days went by, hollowed out, even.

She had noticed it all but just didn’t care.

Their marriage had been emotionally dead ever since his affair over two decades ago. The two of them had only kept up appearances over the years, and there was no real bond left between them.

Caleb had felt that something was wrong with his health.

Lately, work at the company had been overwhelming. Even though Ralph had handed over power to Stephen, he still held the title of chairman at Jacobson Corporation.

It was the family business, after all. As chairman, Caleb couldn’t just ignore it.

Like Sophia, he chalked up the hair loss to aging. As for the insomnia, lack of appetite, and the pain that would come and go, he figured it was just stress and overwork.

He’d planned to go in for a full-body checkup once things calmed down at work. But his body gave out before he got the chance.

Caleb being poisoned was a big deal. Sophia immediately called Ralph and Rowena.

After the poisoning was confirmed, Sophia also went in for a check-up herself. Some of the tests came back quickly. But the blood work required fasting, and she had to wait until tomorrow morning for that.

Rowena also scheduled a check-up at the hospital.

Ralph was far away in Jordanville and couldn’t come back right away, so Sophia updated him over the phone.

“Poisoned? How the hell did that happen?” His voice was grave.

Sophia frowned, holding the phone tightly. “I don’t know. He mostly eats at home, and we all eat the same food. Mom and I haven’t had any issues it’s only Caleb. I suspect it might be related to James. Jacqueline used to work for him, and if someone poisoned Caleb, she’s the most likely suspect.”

There was silence on the other end of the line for a while before Ralph spoke again. “Call the police,” he said firmly.

“Okay.”

“I’ll apply for permission to return to Rivertown. I need to speak to James and Jacqueline face-to-face.”

Rowena was sitting right beside Sophia and had overheard her accusing Jacqueline. The moment she heard that, her expression soured.

As soon as Sophia hung up, Rowena glared at her angrily. “Watch your mouth! Jacqueline was just confused for a moment after being tricked by James. She’s not a bad person. There’s no way she would poison Caleb. No matter what, he’s her adoptive father. She would never hurt him!”

Sophia looked exasperated. Her tone turned impatient. “Rowena, you’ve always spoiled Jacqueline way too much. She’s committed so many crimes, and you still claim she’s not a bad person?

“She helped cover up a murder! If she’s capable of that, what makes you think

she wouldn’t poison a man who isn’t even her real father?”

“No! That’s not true!” Rowena shook her head over and over. “Jacqueline wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t!”

Deep down, she had doubts. But she couldn’t bear the thought.

Rowena kept shaking her head and murmuring to herself. No one knew if she was convincing Sophia or herself.

How could Rowena accept the fact that the person she’d raised with her own hands had poisoned her own adoptive father?

Sophia could only shake her head and walk away, her expression icy as she glanced at Rowena one last time.

Then, she made another phone call to the prison to schedule a visit.

If her suspicions were correct, Jacqueline would soon be facing an even bigger charge of attempted murder.