Chapter 354 A Close Call
Natalie stepped back involuntarily.
Unfortunately, Lionel did not give her the chance to escape. His arm shot out quickly, his fingers around Natalie’s delicate neck. His face turned red with fury as he tightened his grip to suffocate her.
“Don’t you dare go near Lia!”
At the sight of this, Samuel moved to stop Lionel. However, before he could do anything, he noticed Natalie shaking her head almost imperceptibly. With her eyebrows drawn tightly together, she wordlessly implored him not to intervene.
Lionel directed all the pent-up emotion toward Natalie.
He did not hold back on his strength and attempted to crush her windpipe. Natalie gasped for air as her throat constricted from the pressure.
Meanwhile, Samuel watched his beloved woman get hurt in his presence, his eyes glinting dangerously.
Realizing that Samuel had no intention of giving up, Natalie mouthed, “Don’t.”
Samuel clenched his fists, the veins on his arm popping up from the force. At that moment, he radiated pure menace.
He knew that Natalie had a plan, but watching her put her life on the line made him wish he didn’t.
Does she even understand that I could care less about Lia Johnson? Natalie is my Achilles’ heel.
It took every ounce of self-control for Samuel to stay out of the situation.
Glowering at Natalie, Lionel growled, “Lia never hurt you. Why did you have to do this to her? She’s only twenty; she still has a bright future ahead of her. Why did you have to poison her so ruthlessly?”
“It wasn’t me,” Natalie replied calmly. Her face was ghastly white, but her clear eyes shone with resolution.
Despite that, Lionel gripped her neck tighter as he roared, “Don’t you even try to defend yourself! Lia herself said that you were the culprit before she passed out. And yet, you still show no remorse!”
Pain shot down Natalie’s throat. Death seemed only inches away from her.
“I-I’m not here to debate about who was t-the culprit. I’m h-here to save her. I-If you want her to l-live, let me go,” Natalie choked out.
Lionel narrowed his eyes and scoffed, “Why would Lia’s murderer want to save her? Do you think I’m an idiot?”
Suffocation made it hard for Natalie to speak, but her gaze remained steady and unwavering.
“Your sister still h-has a chance, but if you k-kill me, she will die.”
“You—”
“T-Think about why I got released from the police station so quickly. If I didn’t allow you to choke me, d-do you think that you can even touch me? Even S-Samuel is helping me, so what are you worried about?” Natalie interrupted.
At that, Lionel faltered and glanced at Samuel, who was standing behind him.
The man was extraordinarily gorgeous, but his eyes upturned eyes gave him a wicked look that resembled the devil himself. A shiver ran down Lionel’s spine.
Samuel’s patience was wearing thin.
“Let’s put aside the fact that she did not murder your sister. Instead, let’s go to extremes and assume that Natalie killed your sister. So what?” Samuel said, his tone glacial.
Lionel’s insides quivered at the sight of Samuel’s furious gaze.
He knew that Samuel was not bluffing.
After some contemplation, Lionel gradually loosened his grip on Natalie’s neck and moved his hand away.
Splotches of red and purple marred Natalie’s pale neck. It was a horrifying sight.
Natalie coughed a few times but paid no heed to the bruises on her skin.
“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to save Ms. Johnson, even if it’s just for the sake of proving my innocence,” Natalie vowed.
Natalie brushed past Lionel and approached the hospital bed. She pulled out Lia’s arm from under the covers and lightly placed two fingers on Lia’s frail wrist.
Lia’s pulse was slow and erratic—a sign that the poison was well in her systemic circulation.
Had Natalie arrived any later, the poison would have reached Lia’s heart. If that happened, even the best doctor in the world would not be able to save her.
Thank goodness, she was just in time.
Natalie hiked up her evening gown and reached for the leather pouch strapped to her calf. She then pulled out her needle kit and unfurled it to reveal a row of crystal needles.
“Lia—”
“There’s still hope for her.”
After that, Natalie deftly pulled out a silver needle and jabbed one of Lia’s acupoints with perfect accuracy.
