Chapter 4

Sophia POV

My sense of smell was fading at a terrifying rate.

A nose that could once easily distinguish the subtle differences between thousands of fragrances could now only detect the faintest bitter note even from the most potent rose essence.

I knew the toxin had invaded my central nervous system.

That evening, Adrian walked into the bedroom carrying a bowl of steaming soup.

"Sophia, get up and have some soup." He sat on the edge of the bed, helping me sit up, his movements gentle as if handling a fragile treasure.

I leaned against the headboard, staring at the bowl of soup with vacant eyes. No scent. I couldn't smell anything anymore.

Adrian scooped up a spoonful of soup, blew on it to cool it, and held it to my lips.

I didn't open my mouth, just quietly looked at him. "Adrian, what exactly have you been making me drink every day?"

Adrian's hand paused slightly, then he smiled without changing expression. "Nutritious soup, of course. You've gotten too thin. The doctor said you need more nutrition."

"Is that so?" I suddenly reached out and knocked the soup bowl from his hand.

The scalding liquid splashed onto Adrian's hand, instantly turning it red. He shot to his feet, his expression darkening. "Sophia Sterling, what the hell is wrong with you!"

"What's wrong with me?" I laughed coldly, my eyes sharp as knives. "Adrian, do you dare drink this soup yourself? Do you dare tell me why my sense of smell is disappearing day by day!"

Adrian's pupils contracted sharply. He stared at me, seemingly assessing how much I actually knew.

After a moment, he suddenly smiled. That smile tore away his mask of pretense, revealing cruel fangs beneath.

"Since you already know, there's no need for me to keep pretending." Adrian methodically pulled out a handkerchief, wiping the soup from his hand.

"That's right, I've been poisoning you. Who told you to occupy the position of my wife while hoarding Sterling Enterprises' core formula patents and refusing to hand them over?"

He leaned forward, gripping my chin with force that nearly crushed my bones.

"Sophia, you're too smart and too proud. Only by destroying your pride will you obediently listen."

I was forced to raise my head, looking at this face I'd once loved to my bones, feeling nothing but revulsion.

"Don't even think about getting the rest of my formulas." I said through gritted teeth.

"Oh really?" Adrian snorted coldly and flung me aside.

He turned and walked to the door, coldly instructing the guards outside. "Sophia is having a schizophrenic episode with severe self-harm tendencies. From today on, she cannot leave this room without my permission. Seal all the windows. Except for meal delivery, no one is allowed to visit."

The door slammed shut heavily, the sound of the lock clicking echoing especially harsh in the empty room.

I was completely imprisoned.

There wasn't a trace of light in the room. All communication devices had been confiscated. I was like a trapped beast in a dark cage, unable to make any contact with the outside world.

But I didn't break down.

I felt my way to the bed in the darkness, reaching under a loose floorboard to retrieve a palm-sized backup phone. This was the escape route I'd hidden long ago.

I turned it on. The screen's faint light illuminated my pale face.

I skillfully dialed a complex encrypted number.

"Abyss Project Headquarters. Ms. Sterling, how may we assist you?"

My voice was terrifyingly calm. "My situation has changed. I'm requesting early evacuation."

"Received. Evacuation protocol initiated. Countdown: seven days. You must maintain stable vital signs and await extraction."

I hung up and hid the phone again.

Seven days.

Adrian, Vivian. What you owe me, I'll collect every single debt over these seven days.