Free Web NovelChapter 96: Chapter 96
Daphne’s POV
Cane did not even hesitate.
The moment Summer collapsed and Cane saw the blood on the floor, he lifted her straight into his arms and rushed out of the room like a storm had just broken loose. The girl looked so small in his arms, her head falling weakly against his shoulder while he moved fast down the hallway.
Perfect.
I stood near the door watching him disappear with her, but before I could leave, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.
Caden.
His grip was tight and impatient.
"What happened?" he demanded immediately.
His voice was sharp and low like he was barely holding himself together.
I blinked at him like I was confused.
"I... I don’t know," I said slowly.
That part wasn’t completely a lie. I didn’t see her drink the poison. I only knew she did.
My eyes moved toward the hallway where Cane had disappeared with the girl.
"I’m confused too," I continued, letting my voice sound a little shaky. "I don’t understand how Summer could have ingested poison."
Caden cursed loudly.
"Fuck!" he snapped, running a hand through his hair.
Good.
He was already losing patience.
"This is bad," he said angrily while pacing a few steps away from me. "This is really bad."
He turned back toward the hallway again like he wanted to follow Cane but his mind was already racing.
"We’ve been trying to keep Gunnar stable for years," he continued, his voice getting darker with every word. "Ever since what happened back then, everything has been carefully handled so he doesn’t lose his mind completely... and now this?"
He shook his head hard.
"If Gunnar finds out something happened to Summer while he’s gone..." he muttered, not finishing the sentence.
Exactly.
That was the point.
I slowly turned like I was about to leave the room to follow Cane, but I paused deliberately.
Then I let a small smile slip onto my lips.
Of course Caden didn’t see it.
His back was turned.
So I erased the smile quickly and faced him again with a worried expression.
"Caden," I said softly.
He turned immediately."What?"
I lowered my eyes for a second like I was hesitating.
"She... she visited someone earlier today."
His eyes narrowed instantly."Who?"
I let out a quiet breath like I wasn’t sure if I should say it.
"Summer went to see Sebastian earlier."
The reaction was immediate.
Caden froze.
His entire body went still and the air in the room suddenly felt tense.
"What?" he said again, this time slower.
I nodded gently.
"Yes. I saw her walking toward his chambers earlier today."
Caden stared at me like he was trying to figure out if I was serious.
"She was there for a while," I continued calmly. "And when she came out, she mentioned that she had a meal with Sebastian."
I paused for a moment, watching his expression carefully.
Then I added the final piece.
"Maybe... he fed her poisoned food."
I covered my mouth quickly like the thought had just shocked me.
"Oh my God... I didn’t even think of it until now."
Caden’s face darkened instantly.
Exactly the reaction I wanted.
His jaw tightened and his fists clenched so hard the veins in his arms stood out.
"Sebastian wouldn’t dare," he said in a cold voice.
But I could hear the doubt already creeping into his tone.
"He wouldn’t hurt Gunnar’s child. Not after everything he’s already done."
I slowly shook my head."Wouldn’t he?"
Caden looked at me sharply.
So I continued speaking calmly.
"You know how he is," I said. "He has never accepted Summer’s existence. Not even once."
Caden’s silence told me he knew that was true.
So I pushed harder.
"Remember the day she was born?" I continued. "Sebastian called her a mistake." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Caden’s expression grew darker.
"And when Gunnar refused to give her up... Sebastian said she would become the reason everything falls apart."
Caden turned away slightly.
Good.
He was remembering.
So I added another spark.
"And let’s not forget," I said quietly, "Sebastian has never forgiven Gunnar for what happened with Carian."
That name alone was enough to shake anyone in this family.
Caden’s shoulders stiffened.
"Yes," I continued, sounding almost sympathetic now. "Gunnar chose love over obedience... and Sebastian never truly let that go, she died as well and so would Summer if nothing is done."
Caden ran a hand through his hair again, breathing heavily.
"You’re reaching Daphne," he muttered.
"Am I?" I asked softly.
He didn’t answer.
So I took another step forward.
"Think about it," I said calmly. "Summer goes to see him. She eats something he gives her. And a few hours later she collapses coughing blood."
Caden’s eyes slowly lifted back to mine.
"What does that look like to you?"
He didn’t answer again. But the anger in his face was already enough.
I could see the storm growing behind his eyes.
The doubt.
The rage.
The instinct to protect Gunnar’s child.
"You know what Gunnar will do if he hears this," I continued quietly.
Caden’s jaw clenched harder.
"If Gunnar believes Sebastian poisoned his daughter..." I said slowly, "this entire place will be burnt to ashes."
Caden slammed his fist against the wall.
"Damn it!"
The sound echoed through the room.
Finally.
He turned toward the door with a furious look in his eyes.
"I’m going to see him," he growled.
Exactly what I wanted.
I stepped back slightly like I was startled.
"Caden wait—"
But he was already moving. He stormed out of the room without another word.
His footsteps were heavy and fast as he headed straight toward Sebastian’s chambers.
I stood there quietly until the sound of his steps disappeared down the hallway.
Then I let out a slow breath. The worried expression slowly disappeared from my face.
And the smile returned.
A slow, satisfied smile.
Everything was falling into place perfectly.
Summer drinks the poison.
Cane rushes out to save her.
Caden believes Sebastian is responsible.
And Gunnar... how foolish of him to follow Riley into the cave, thanks to the little dying summer for that pretty information, if I hadn’t come here with her, I wouldn’t have heard it.
And this would be a nice present for when he returns and hears what happened...
The entire family will be in shambles ~
Exactly the chaos I wanted.
I walked slowly toward the doorway and leaned slightly against the frame, watching the empty hallway where Caden had disappeared.
Then I folded my arms and whispered softly to myself.
"And it begins just like I expected."
