At the Velvet Haven, the mood was anything but serene. Avery, upon learning that Gordon had been released unharmed, was livid. In a fit of rage, he hurled several antique crystal goblets across the room, shattering them into a thousand glittering shards upon the hardwood floor.
"Mr. Chambers, please, calm yourself," came the cautious voice of Wayne from the other end of the phone. "The plan was foolproof. That secretary by Thaddeus' side was supposed to be finished. Who could have guessed that bastard from S-Star Group would change his testimony at the last minute, taking the fall for everything? It was unforeseen, I had no leverage."
"Did S-Star put the screws to him?" Avery growled, his eyes blazing red as he bent to pick up a piece of broken glass, his fingers curling tightly around it.
Blood, rich and crimson, seeped through his fingers, staining his pale hands with its warmth. He felt no pain, only a slight easing of the tightness in his chest.
"Mark is old, sick from a lifetime in the trenches, long retired from the fray. Now, it's Lionel at the helm of S-Star," Wayne said, his voice dark with menace. "Lionel's been cozying up to Aviana, and with Ms. Evadne pulling in a favor, Lionel had no choice but to bail them out."
"Our push for Warner's new drug was going smoothly until we hit the wall with S-Star," Avery said, slowly unfolding his bloodied hand to reveal the mangled palm. A cruel smile played on his lips. "That Lionel, find a way to deal with him without getting my hands dirty."
"Do you want him taken out?" Wayne asked.
"Killing him would draw too much heat if we disrupt the core of S-Star. Just find a way to keep him from interfering, that'll suffice."
With that, Avery tossed aside the glass shard and walked over to the window. His gaze fell upon the thriving rose he had nurtured with obsessive care. His face softened with a disturbing gentleness as he caressed the vibrant petals, as if they were the face of a lover.
"That mongrel isn't worth my time or the dirt on my hands."
"You're right. That lowlife is something I can handle for you," Wayne assured him, his voice cautious yet eager. "Mr. Chambers, will the new drug be a success?"
"It will. With enough trial subjects and accurate data, we're one step closer," Avery affirmed.
"That's excellent news! Let me know if you face any obstacles. I'm at your beck and call, as long as the drug comes to fruition."
After ending the call, Harvey walked in, only to find a room in chaos and blood spattered all over the floor. Panicking, he rushed over to Avery.
"Mr. Chambers! Are you hurt? I'll get a doctor to bandage you up right away!"
"The medicine. I need it."
Avery's hand shook uncontrollably, even his facial muscles twitching beyond his control. Harvey quickly understood, retrieving a syringe from the safe and injecting the medication into Avery's vein with practiced ease.
"Mr. Chambers, it seems like your episodes have become more frequent since the last batch ran out," Harvey observed, worry etching his features. "You can't keep using this drug. It's controlling your tremors, but your body's dependency is growing, and the side effects are becoming more pronounced."
"You think I haven't tried to quit?" Avery slurred, his gaze fixed on the opulent crystal chandelier above. He felt the room spin, but the sensation was oddly comforting. "I can't. The withdrawal is worse than any addiction."
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