Chapter 19. Poison

Bianca’s piercing scream echoed through the ballroom as her mother crumpled to the ground. “Mother! Mother! Wake up!!!” she cried out in a panic.

A collective gasp filled the ballroom as onlookers witnessed a line of thick, black blood oozing from the unconscious woman’s mouth. The realization spread like wildfire: she had been poisoned.

Edgar Cross swiftly entered the ballroom, accompanied by Giorgione Fundi, responding promptly to the distressing screams. As they reached the doorway, Edgar wasted no time in questioning Giorgione, his voice laced with suspicion. “Is that what you’re doing?” he demanded, seeking immediate answers.

Giorgione’s response was curt and filled with equal skepticism. “No. Yours?”

“No,” Edgar replied tersely, shaking his head.

They both knew they needed to focus on the victim rather than pointing fingers. Giorgione knelt down beside the collapsed woman, his shock evident in his tone. “What the fuck is this?” he muttered under h