Ch. 1141..1150

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1141-Tyler scowled at Vicky. "You've starved yourself the whole day, and this is how much you're eating?" He moved the spoon closer to her lips once again. "Eat more."

Seeing his displeasure, Vicky forced herself to eat, and Tyler eventually stopped when he noticed that Vicky was truly full.

"Vicky, what are you trying to do this time?" he asked abruptly.

"What?" she asked in confusion.

He stared into her eyes. "Why are you being so obedient now? Are you waiting for me to let my guard down so that you can run away with Lincoln?"

Vicky's expression darkened; she had not forgotten why she ended up sick in bed.

She looked up to meet his piercing gaze. "You get mad when I disobey you, yet you get upset even when I obey. Tyler, what do you want?"

She was groggy when she had just awakened, so she maintained a cold attitude toward Tyler. However, as she gradually regained her clarity, she considered her situation and realized that she had no right to be rude toward Tyler.

A woman's capriciousness and temper would only be shown in front of those who cared about her. Since Tyler simply did not care about her, she was abused and violated upon

enraging him.

Having come to this realization, Vicky constantly reminded herself that since she could not get away, she should comply with him as much as possible to make her life a little easier.

Vicky did not understand why Tyler still seemed unhappy.

They stared at each other for a long while before Tyler averted his gaze expressionlessly, got up, and took the bowl away.

Vicky studied his back, and confusion appeared in her eyes.' Did his work not go well today?' she thought.

After Tyler checked Vicky's temperature and found nothing abnormal that evening, he finally felt relieved.

After personally feeding Vicky her medicine, Tyler lifted the blanket beside her and was about to get into bed.

Vicky was taken aback and instinctively said, "No, I can't... Not today."

Tyler could clearly see what she was thinking and gritted his teeth. "I'm not interested in sleeping with a sickly woman like you."

As he prepared to lie down beside her, Vicky tensed and her gaze remained cautious. "But... Why, then?"

If it were any other day, Tyler would not bother explaining anything to her. However, the situation was different as

NSZ

Vicky was still sick.

"I slept here the whole time when you were sick. Is there a problem with that?" Tyler said in a cold voice.

"Can you not sleep here?" Seeing his worsening expression, Vicky added, "I'm afraid of infecting you."

Vicky's excuse was too feeble, and Tyler sneered. "I'm not afraid of that."

With that, he lay down beside her and pulled her into his embrace.

Vicky stiffened but remained still, fearing that she would get hurt again.

Tyler seemed oblivious to her unease and quickly fell asleep after holding her. During Vicky's unconsciousness, he had not slept well a single day, and exhaustion washed over him with her in his arms.

After Vicky realized that Tyler was truly asleep, she tried to escape from his embrace. However, everytime she moved slightly, Tyler seemed ready to wake up. After struggling for a while, Vicky ended up sweating but could not break free from his embrace. Soon enough, Vicky gradually fell asleep.

The next morning, Tyler opened his eyes. With sufficient sleep, most of his exhaustion dissipated. He glanced at the woman sleeping soundly against his chest, and the gloom in his heart lifted slightly.

He lowered his head, instinctively wanting to kiss her forehead. However, in the split second before his lips touched her forehead, his expression suddenly changed.

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1142-Tyler stared intently at Vicky and reached out in disbelief after a while.

His touch and gaze were far too invasive, and Vicky slowly woke up. She was not surprised by the sight of Tyler, but she noticed his peculiar expression.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Tyler lowered his gaze and concealed his emotions." Nothing," he said hoarsely. "I'm just checking your temperature."

Vicky observed him suspiciously, but Tyler's expression showed nothing was amiss.

Vicky did not think too much about it and tried to free herself from his embrace, intending to get out of bed.

Tyler held her back. "Where are you going?"

"To freshen up."

Tyler glanced at her. "Are you able to walk?"

After waking up today, Vicky felt much better and more energetic than before, so she did not think there would be any problem with getting out of bed.

She nodded and sat up.

Tyler watched her without trying to stop her. Once Vicky put on her slippers and tried to stand, her legs suddenly went weak. Just as she was about to fall, a long, strong hand supported her.

"Your temperature may have gone down, but you're still frail, " he said calmly. He gently placed her back on the bed. "Just lie down for now. I'll go get some water."

Vicky thought she had recovered, but she could not even walk.

Recognizing her condition, she did not insist on going to the bathroom on her own.

Tyler headed toward the bathroom, while Vicky spoke up," It's too dark in the room. Can you pull back the curtains?"

Tyler paused for a moment, and he walked over to the floor- to-ceiling window and pulled back the curtains. However, he only opened the blackout curtains, revealing the light and sheer curtains behind them.

Vicky was puzzled. "Why didn't you pull them all open?"

He replied calmly, "It's blazing outside. Considering your current weak state, I don't want you to get heatstroke."

Vicky had not expected that even a blunt man like Tyler would consider such careful details. Regardless, she did not want to remain sick in bed for longer than necessary, so she did not argue.

After about 10 minutes, Tyler came out of the bathroom carrying a basin of water.

Given Vicky's condition, she could only wash herself simply- and taking a shower was out of the question.

After taking care of her morning routine, Tyler made a phone call.

"Prepare two sets of breakfasts," he instructed calmly." Make one of them light."

Vicky glanced at Tyler, silently concluding that Tyler might still be in a bad mood from yesterday's incident if he was not planning to cook.

Seeing Tyler hang up the phone, Vicky spoke up, "Can you bring my phone to me?"

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1143-Vicky did not manage to contact Cece and the others while she was unconscious, and she was worried that they might worry.

Tyler stood still and said, "You haven't fully recovered yet. You shouldn't play with your phone."

She scowled. "I don't use my phone for long."

"No way." Tyler remained calm, but his tone was undeniably forceful. "You are not to get your phone back until you get better."

Vicky knew that Tyler had been taking care of her and tried her best to be polite in the past few days. However, she felt her rage building up when she heard his controlling tone.

"Tyler, don't I have the right to communicate with others?"

"You will have your phone back when you recover," he said firmly.

Vicky grew angry. "Tyler, is this what you call giving me freedom if I go back with you?"

Faced with her displeased gaze, Tyler remained unperturbed. "If you want to get your phone back soon, cooperate with the treatment and take care of your health."

Vicky could not stand Tyler's controlling nature and despised his overbearing, unreasonable demeanor. "Tyler, my friends can't reach me. They might think something

happened to me!"

"I'll have someone contact your friends and assure them that you're safe," Tyler replied.

Vicky gazed at the man's aloof face before her, feeling a chill run through her body. "Tyler, were all those promises you made me before just lies?"

His thin lips twitched as he stared into her eyes as if he wanted to say something. However, he fell silent.

Seeing that he seemed to have nothing more to say, Vicky's eyes gradually dimmed with disappointment.

Not long after finishing breakfast, there was a knock on the door. The bodyguard outside came in and reported, "Mister Hart, the Second Young Master Hart, and his fiancee, Miss Yeager, have come to visit Madam."

Upon hearing this, Tyler almost immediately refused without any hesitation. "Turn them away."

Vicky looked at Tyler. "Don't you want to ask for my opinion?"

Tyler maintained the same attitude as before. "You need to rest properly right now."

Disappointed, Vicky glared at Tyler. "Tyler, are you trying to confine me again and turn me into your pet?"

"Vicky, Lincoln already has a fiancee," Tyler's gaze darkened as he coldly reminded her. "It was I who took care of you while you were sick. Lincoln has been busy developing a

relationship with his fiancee."

Vicky had not intended to see Lincoln in the first place nor did she care what he was doing. What made her angry was Tyler making decisions without asking her.

Vicky retorted, "Tyler, don't portray yourself as the saint in the story. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been bedridden. You controlled me, forbade anyone from visiting, and you claim to be the only one taking care of me... Do you not find this laughable?"

Tyler looked down at her condescendingly. "Are you finally done pretending?"

"Pretending?"

Tyler sneered. "You only managed to fake obedience for less than a day, but when it comes to Lincoln, you can't keep up the act? You sure are fond of that hypocritical monster."

"Monster? Tyler, do you have the right to say such things? Isn't it you who disfigured his face?"

"He deserved it."

Vicky realized that she could not have a sensible conversation with him. Not only was he overbearing, but he was also extremely unreasonable.

Vicky coldly turned her head away, refusing to look at him.

Seeing Vicky's cold expression, Tyler's gaze grew even more gloomy. "Vicky, do you care so much about Lincoln to the point that you don't care if his face is ruined?"

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1144-Vicky stared out the window wordlessly, and Tyler’s expression darkened at her silence.

After a while, Tyler turned to leave.

He made sure that he walked slowly, yet Vicky stared dazedly outside the window with no intention of stopping him from leaving.

Slam! The door slammed shut behind Tyler as he stormed out.

Shortly after he left, someone knocked on the door.

Angela walked over to Vicky respectfully. "Missus Hart, Mister Hart has ordered me to take care of you."

Vicky glanced at Angela, who used to take care of Lincoln.

From the first day when Angela arrived, Vicky knew that Angela worked for Tyler, and Lincoln's allergic reaction was likely caused by Angela at Tyler's order.

After about an hour, the doctors came in to examine Vicky. Vicky noticed that the female doctors who came to examine her were different from the ones yesterday and asked curiously, "What happened to the doctors from yesterday?"

The doctor smiled and explained, "You had a high fever and were unconscious, so Mister Hart brought in a team that specializes in reducing fever. Now that you're awake, the

first phase of treatment is complete. We're here to assist in your recovery during the second phase."

The doctors' explanation was reasonable, and Vicky thought nothing of it.

The entire day passed without Tyler returning.

It was only when Vicky was about to fall asleep in the evening, thinking that Tyler would not come back, that the door to the room opened.

Angela stood up from her chair. "Welcome back, Mister Hart. n

"Yeah." The imposing man took off his coat and said indifferently, "Go rest."

Angela nodded at Vicky and quickly left the room.

Although Vicky's phone had been confiscated, Tyler did not prevent her from reading.

After reading all day, Vicky was ready to go to sleep.

She did not spare a glance for Tyler upon his return but turned over, facing away from him.

Even without looking at him, Vicky could feel Tyler's intense gaze on her.

After a few minutes, the sound of footsteps echoed in the room as Tyler went to take a shower. Once he finished, he lay down next to her, pulling her into his embrace.

Vicky thought that Tyler would give her the cold shoulder for a few days, but he did not do so.

Vicky did not have the energy or the will to struggle.

The next day, after Tyler took care of Vicky's morning routine, he left again. She assumed that he was busy with work lately, as Tyler had been coming and going late into the night for three consecutive days.

Under the doctor's care, Vicky's body gradually recovered.

One day, when Vicky saw Angela opening the door to pick up lunch, she got out of bed and prepared to open the curtains.

Just as she reached for the curtains, Angela entered the room with the lunch tray.

Seeing Vicky standing by the window, Angela's expression changed drastically. The tray slipped from her hands, crashing to the ground.

Surprised, Vicky turned around and noticed Angela's strange expression. "What's wrong, Miss Hill?"

Angela instantly snapped out of it.

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1145-"I... I'm fine..." Angela's gaze flickered as she avoided Vicky's eyes. "Missus Hart, you haven't fully recovered...so it's better to rest in bed. Otherwise, Mister Hart will worry."

Vicky was a skeptical person. She looked at the uncertainty in Angela's eyes and suddenly said, "You seem to be very afraid of me getting out of bed lately."

Whenever she made a move to get up, Angela would try to stop her and ask what she needed hastily.

At first, Vicky thought it was Tyler's order to not let her leave the bed. However, seeing Angela's behavior, even Vicky- who was slow to catch on-realized something was off.

Angela lowered her head, unable to meet Vicky's gaze. "Your body hasn't fully recovered. The doctors said you shouldn't get out of bed..."

Vicky stared unblinkingly into Angela's eyes. ’ Miss Hill, you really are bad at lying.’

Just then, Vicky's voice paused as she realized something.

The translucent curtains had been drawn in the bedroom all these days, and Angela became frightened as soon as she reached the window.

Considering all the recent events, Vicky's gaze gradually darkened. "Angela, are you all hiding something from me?"

In the office, Tyler stared at the medicine bottle in his hand, lost in his thoughts. Just then, his phone rang and he lifted his brow as he picked up the call.

When he saw Angela's name displayed on the screen, the look in his eyes grew darker.

"Mister Hart." Angela's soft voice came through. "M-Missus Hart knows the truth. It would be best if you come back."

Tyler's expression darkened, but he showed no sign of being surprised, as he knew that he could only hide the truth from her temporarily.

"I understand," he replied.

After ending the call, Tyler put on his coat to leave.

Just as he opened the office door, Harry, who was about to knock, stood at the doorway.

Noticing that Tyler was about to leave, Harry hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Mister Hart, I have made some progress on the investigation you asked me to do."

Tyler’s voice was cold. "And?"

"It is indeed a toxin, and..." Harry glanced at him cautiously." The doctors analyzed it and found that this toxin is the same as the one you had me purchase last time. They carefully examined Missus Hart and found no major issues with her body. Her recovery is going well, and they haven't detected any additional toxins that could affect her health."

"Are you sure?"

Harry nodded. "The specialists who have been monitoring Missus Hart these past few days are experts in toxins.

They've conducted thorough tests but still haven't found anything."

"Could there be a dormant period?"

"No, according to your instructions, the doctors extracted and analyzed the toxicity of this drug, and the result shows that there is no toxicity, let alone a dormant period."

Tyler remained silent.

Harry observed his expression carefully and asked, "Mister Hart, should we keep searching for the cure?"

The afternoon sun was just right, and the translucent white curtains were finally drawn open.

Radiant and warm sunlight poured in through the French windows, casting a golden glow all around.

Vicky stood quietly before the window and stared outside blankly.

When she heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching, she instantly knew that Tyler was back.

Instead of turning her head, she simply asked, "Is this why you refused to give me back my phone?"

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1146-Vicky's face was reflected on the transparent glass window. Half of her face displayed a dark blue-black mark like a birthmark which even she found terrifying, let alone others.

Tyler stood behind her silently.

Vicky slowly turned and met his eyes before smiling faintly." Do you not get scared sleeping next to a face like this?"

She knew her smile must have looked terrifying.

Tyler stepped forward and gently embraced Vicky. "I'm having people search for an antidote for you," his deep voice sounded from above her head. "You will recover soon."

Vicky buried her face in his chest. "When did you find out? Was it that morning?"

When she woke up to Tyler staring at her that morning, she noticed that something was off. It was the same day when her request to get her phone back was denied, followed by Tyler turning Lincoln and Avery away.

Tyler fell silent for a few seconds and said, "Yes."

"Why did you keep it from me? Were you afraid that I couldn't accept it?"

"I thought we'd find the antidote soon."

"Antidote?" Vicky lifted her head and studied the delicate curve of his jaw. "So I was poisoned?"

"Yes."

Acknowledging that it was a reasonable explanation for her condition, she asked, "Why was I poisoned?"

"That's still unclear." Tyler's brow furrowed slightly. "I've apprehended the doctors who have been treating you and interrogated them, but we haven't obtained any results."

Since Vicky was poisoned, the doctors who treated her were the top suspects.

During the days when Vicky was ill, Tyler had taken care of her daily routines, so no complications occurred.

All the doctors worked directly for him. Although the possibility of them being bribed by others could not be ruled out, based on the interrogation results from these days, it seemed unlikely.

As a result, the investigation reached a deadlock, and the source of the toxin had not been identified.

Naturally, Tyler would not just wait around for the investigation results and had people look into the matter while sending others to search for an antidote. >

He even sought out experts to develop a cure, but this toxin was extremely peculiar. It did not affect the overall health of the body, yet it was difficult to neutralize.

Tyler looked down at Vicky. "Do you have any clues?"

Vicky shook her head. "I've been unconscious during these days, and the only person I've come into contact with after waking up is you."

Although Lincoln and Avery had come to visit her once, their stay was brief, and they had not made any contact with Vicky as Tyler had been watching them closely, so they could not have poisoned her then.

Who poisoned me?' she thought as she could not come up with a reasonable explanation either.

Seeing the serious look in Vicky's eyes, Tyler whispered," Don't dwell on it too much. Leave this matter to me."

Vicky looked up and studied his face. "Can I have my phone now?"

He stared at her intently before nodding and ordering Angela to bring Vicky's phone over.

Shortly after, Angela handed Vicky her phone.

As Vicky stared at her phone that was fully charged, her resentment toward Tyler lifted slightly.

At this moment, she realized that she might have misunderstood him. "Why didn't you...explain yourself?"

"About what?"

"About the real reason why I can't have my phone back."

"You weren't wrong. I am possessive and enjoy controlling others. I have lied to you."

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1147-Vicky lowered her head guiltily at Tyler's words.

She was furious at the time and said a lot of hurtful words, not knowing that he was doing everything for her sake.

"I'm sorry,” she whispered.

He embraced her. "Don't apologize. I'm just doing what I should do."

The two bathed in the afternoon sun in silence. It had been some time since they had such a moment of peace.

Sometime later, he said, "Vicky, once this matter comes to an end, come home with me, okay?"

Vicky was stunned and hesitated.

Knowing what she was concerned about, he tightened his arms around her. "My previous promise still stands. I won't restrict your freedom anymore, nor will I interfere with your social life. However, you cannot have any contact with Lincoln."

Despite what he promised, Vicky was still reluctant to leave with him, but she understood that she could not stay with the Hart family any longer.

Although she did not know who poisoned her, the fact that it had happened meant that someone had developed a deep hatred for her to the point of resorting to disfigurement as a means to harm her. Staying would not be any better than

leaving with Tyler.

With this in mind, Vicky nodded gently. "Alright."

Seemingly surprised that she agreed, Tyler was momentarily stunned.

He unconsciously tightened his arms around her, his trembling arm betraying his unsettled emotions.

After all his efforts, Vicky's attitude toward him finally eased.

Vicky looked up at him and asked the question she had been wanting to ask since discovering the truth. "If my face can never be restored, would you still want me?"

Tyler lowered his head and kissed her deeply, answering Vicky's question with his action.

Vicky did not resist or struggle.

Sensing her acceptance, his heart raced, and his breath became even more erratic. He kissed her deeply and intensely, making it hard for her to resist.

After a long while, Tyler finally stopped before Vicky was suffocated. "I will never leave you," he said in a low, husky voice near her ear, a voice that held an indescribable allure.

Vicky lifted her head and met his unfathomable gaze, and Tyler maintained eye contact with her calmly.

Vicky's heart skipped a beat, and she was the first to break eye contact, lowering her head. ' But, even I myself can't accept being like this forever."

In truth, she could not accept living with such an ugly face, and she could not even bring herself to look into the mirror.

"It doesn't matter." Tyler gently kissed her forehead. "I don't care."

Vicky found it hard to believe.

Not many people would focus solely on inner qualities and not care about appearances, especially so for someone like Tyler, who held a high position. Many women threw themselves at him regularly, and countless people had tried to curry favor by offering him various beautiful women.

Having seen so much beauty, it seemed questionable if he could truly endure being with an ugly woman.

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1148-Vicky said nothing else, assuming that Tyler had hoped that her face would recover. She thus decided to let time tell if Tyler truly did not mind if she looked like this forever.

In the following days, Tyler continued to head out early for work and only return home late at night.

He needed to work, look into how Vicky was poisoned, and even had to search for the antidote, so he had his hands full. Still, he would always return home to her.

As he promised, he showed no disgust toward her face and held her close in his sleep every night. He would kiss her, hold her, and even show desire toward her but had not initiated anything in bed out of concern for her health.

At this moment, a faint doubt would arise in Vicky’s mind how Tyler managed to kiss her considering how she looked. After all, even she would lose her appetite after seeing herself in the mirror.

As days went by, Vicky's body finally recovered. Since she promised to leave once her face healed, Tyler fulfilled her every request as long as they were not excessive.

One day, Vicky suggested to Tyler that she wanted to go out for a stroll.

"Tyler, the doctor said I’m all good now. The weather is nice

lately, and I want to stroll around nearby. Being locked in the house all day is hard on any human being."

After hearing this, Tyler furrowed his brow slightly and did not answer immediately.

Vicky's heart sank.

Her mistrust of Tyler solidified throughout their interaction in the past years, and his silence once again made her doubt whether he still wanted to control her freedom.

Tyler's expression darkened when he guessed what she was thinking, and he said, "It's not that I don't want you to go out, but considering your current situation, gossip will fly if someone sees you."

"It's okay, I'm not afraid of that." Vicky looked into his eyes." If the person who poisoned me is here in the mansion, seeing me walking around might expose them and help us find the culprit in time."

Vicky was supposed to leave with Tyler once she regained her health, but the poison had not been cured yet, and a remedy had yet to be found. If she could find the culprit and make them hand over the antidote, things would be much simpler.

Tyler pondered for a few seconds before finally agreeing." Alright, but you can't let Angela leave your side."

Vicky felt relieved. "Okay."

Tyler checked the time. "It's getting late. Go take a shower and sleep."

As she walked out of the bathroom after her shower, the light in the room softened with only the lamp on the nightstand still on.

Vicky walked to the bedside, turned off the desk lamp, and got into bed.

Just as she lay down, a strong arm pulled her closer, followed by a deep kiss on her lips.

Vicky thought Tyler would fall asleep with her in his arms after the kiss like the previous days, but to her surprise, his kiss became increasingly intense.

They had been together for so long that Vicky instantly noticed that his kiss was a bit unusual.

Vicky tried to push him away, but Tyler easily held down her hands, making it impossible for her to struggle.

As his movement became more forceful, Vicky could not budge him even a bit, and she instinctively bit him.

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1149-The taste of blood filled their mouths, and Tyler paused.

Neither of them could see each other's face in the dark, and only his eyes glittered.

"I asked the doctors," he said hoarsely, his voice echoing in the quiet night. "You have fully recovered, so it's going to be fine."

Click!

The light on the nightstand was lit, and he gazed at her. "Are you worried that I'm turning the lights off because I don't want to look at your face?"

Vicky looked away. "I..."

Tyler somehow countered every excuse she could come up with, and she found herself speechless.

Tyler lowered his head to kiss her again, and Vicky instinctively turned her head so that his kiss landed on her cheek.

Instantly, tension rose in the air.

Vicky lowered her gaze, knowing that Tyler was upset without looking at him.

After a few moments of silence, she spoke truthfully, "Can you give me some more time? I'm... I'm still scared from what happened last time."

The air froze in an instant.

"I’m sorry." It took him a while, but he finally spoke, his voice even huskier. "I was wrong about what happened last time." Tyler sat up and slowly moved away from her. "I'll go take a shower."

He knew they still had a long life together ahead of them, so he reminded himself that there was no point in rushing.

With that, he got up and headed toward the bathroom.

As Vicky watched his tall figure as he stepped away, she was dazed.

Tyler had always done as he pleased and never cared about her well-being or emotions, so she thought he would ignore her wishes just as he had done so many times.

To her surprise, he actually spared her.

After a while, the man emerged from the bathroom and returned to bed, falling asleep wordlessly with her in his arms.

The next day, Vicky went to a nearby park to get some fresh air alongside Angela.

Standing on the bridge, Vicky looked at the calm surface of the water, her mind filled with thoughts of the person who poisoned her.

'Was it Valencia, Avery, Old Mister Hart, or...someone else?' she thought.

There were too many people with reasons to poison her, and Vicky was clueless.

Suddenly, a clear female voice sounded from behind. "Oh, Ms. Shaw?"

Vicky turned her head, and Avery approached her elegantly.

Taking in the hat, sunglasses, and mask Vicky was wearing, Avery gasped in surprise. "What happened to you? It's so hot today, so why are you wearing such a thick hat?" She was smiling, but her gaze seemed unfriendly. "Lincoln has developed a rash on his face, and he can't be exposed to light or wind. Ms. Shaw, why are you wearing all these? Are you trying to share his suffering and hardship?"

Facing Avery's sarcastic words, Vicky remained expressionless. "Miss Yeager, you came to visit me not long ago, so you should be aware of my persistent high fever. Now that my health is just starting to recover, it's only natural that I avoid the wind and wear a slightly thicker hat. Is that so strange?"

"If you can't be exposed to wind, then why don't you rest in your room? Why go out and cause trouble for yourself and others?" Avery asked pointedly.

With that, Avery walked a few steps closer to Vicky and snatched her hat off.

Loving You In Secret Chapter 1150-Neither Angela nor Vicky expected Avery to pull off such a move.

Caught off-guard, no one reacted in time. The hat was snatched off in an instant, and the dark blue mark on Vicky’s forehead was revealed.

"What...?" Surprised by the sight before her, Avery's eyes widened, and she dropped the hat onto the ground.

Angela paled and instinctively stood in front of Vicky, trying to shield her from Avery's gaze, but Vicky pushed Angela aside and slowly walked up to Avery, taking off her mask and glasses.

Seeing Vicky's face, Avery involuntarily took a few steps back, fear flickering in her eyes.

Unconcerned by Avery's frightened expression, Vicky calmly said, "I'm sorry for scaring you."

She then bent down to pick up her hat.

Avery's lips moved as if she wanted to say something but could not at the sight.

Vicky glanced at Avery and was about to put on her hat when a low, gentle voice came from behind, tinged with unmistakable surprise.

"Vicky?!"

Vicky froze.

Footsteps approached as the person walked briskly to her side.

"Vicky, how have you been lately? Has your health improved?

Vicky lowered her head and stood silently.

Puzzled that Vicky refused to look at her, Lincoln muttered," Vicky, what's wron-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Vicky lifted her head and looked at Lincoln.

Lincoln was instantly taken aback and gaped at her in disbelief. "Vicky, what... What happened to your face?"

Lincoln was also wearing a hat, glasses, and a mask, similar to her attire.

Vicky looked at Lincoln calmly. "I was poisoned with some kind of toxin."

"Toxin?" Lincoln quickly regained his usual composure.

He showed no hint of disgust or repulsion as carefully examining her, his voice carrying deep concern. "What happened? Who poisoned you?"

Vicky shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure. We haven't found the culprit."

"Have you found the antidote?"

"Not yet."

Lincoln observed her with concern. "Do you feel any discomfort now?"

"No." Vicky avoided Lincoln's gaze. "I'm perfectly healthy except for what's going on with my face. There are no major issues so far."

Lincoln took a few steps forward. "Vicky, can you tell me in detail how you were poisoned?"

A trace of hesitation flashed in Vicky's eyes.

Lincoln turned to look at Avery and said, "Avery, I need to speak with Vicky in private. You should go back."

Avery's expression darkened slightly, but the tension on her face instantly eased when she saw Vicky's face.

"Alright. You two go ahead, then. I will get out of your hair," she said generously.

After Avery was gone, Vicky turned to Angela and said, "You need to give us some space."

Angela narrowed her eyes. "But Mister Hart..."

"I'm only speaking to Second Young Master alone for a while. It won't take long."

"But..."

Vicky interrupted her. Relax. You can still supervise me from afar. It'll just be a few minutes."