Finally, Michael understood Andrew's two-part strategy—the trap and the pressure play. Poor Paul had cracked under pressure and confessed, which Michael could understand.

After all, anyone would be terrified to drink potentially poisoned water, which was also why Michael refused to drink it. However, he had underestimated Andrew, as none of the water was poisoned, and Lauren did not know who the culprit was. They had simply played a trick to force Paul into confessing.

Just as his anger had begun to subside, Michael's face turned ashen as he clenched his fists again. The humiliation was overwhelming. He could not believe a mere gold-digger had played him, a Rhodes family heir, like a fool.

Michael pulled out his phone and made a call. "Bane, didn't you say your poison was incurable except by you? Some small-time doctor just cured Lauren—you better explain this!"

A sinister voice replied, "How's this possible? Mr. Rhodes, you must be mistaken. In Jayrodale, not even Cedric coul