Chapter 2 - The Silent Conspiracy
Willa knew that if Sterling or Dr. Whitfield discovered Everett was awake, they would simply administer a lethal dose and claim he died naturally in his sleep.
She had to teach the most powerful man in the city how to pretend to be a vegetable.
"Listen to me very carefully," Willa whispered, leaning close to his ear so the hallway guard could not hear.
"You have been intentionally drugged for eight months by your cousin and your doctor."
Everett blinked twice to show he understood, a dark, terrifying anger beginning to burn in his eyes.
"They think you are completely unresponsive," Willa continued, her voice urgent and terrified.
"You have to stay exactly like this when anyone else is in the room."
"Do not move, do not react to pain, and do not open your eyes under any circumstances."
Everett nodded almost imperceptibly, his mind racing with violent, strategic calculations.
He needed time to regain his physical strength before he could unleash hell upon the men who had betrayed him.
The very next morning, Dr. Whitfield arrived for his routine, fraudulent medical examination.
Willa stood quietly in the corner of the room, her hands clasped tightly together to stop them from shaking.
Whitfield checked the IV bag, completely oblivious to the fact that it was mostly saline.
He pulled a small penlight from his pocket and shined it directly into Everett’s closed eyes.
Everett did not flinch, completely mastering his natural reflexes with terrifying, disciplined control.
"No change in neurological status," Whitfield muttered, making a fake note on his electronic tablet.
He turned to Willa, looking at her with absolute, aristocratic disdain.
"You can take the morning off, Mrs. Kane," Whitfield sneered mockingly.
"Sterling requires this room for a private meeting with the estate lawyers."
Willa’s blood ran cold.
She knew Sterling frequently used the master bedroom to gloat over his unconscious cousin while finalizing his illegal deals.
"I prefer to stay with my husband," Willa replied, keeping her voice completely submissive.
Whitfield stepped closer, invading her personal space with an intimidating glare.
"That was not a request, Willa," he hissed.
"Go to the kitchen and wait."
Willa looked at Everett, who remained perfectly still, before slowly walking out of the room.
She walked down the grand staircase, but instead of going to the kitchen, she slipped into the hidden servant's corridor that ran behind the master suite.
She pressed her ear against the thin drywall, desperate to hear what Sterling was planning.
The heavy bedroom doors opened, and Sterling’s arrogant, booming voice echoed into the room.
"Whitfield, is the paperwork ready for the final transition?" Sterling asked eagerly.
"Yes, Mr. Kane," Whitfield answered smoothly.
"Once I sign the declaration of permanent brain death, the life support can be legally terminated."
"We can pull the plug by Friday evening."
Willa covered her mouth to stifle a scream of pure, absolute horror.
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They were not just keeping him asleep anymore.
They were planning to execute him in three days.
