Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)




"David..." Nathan hesitated. Some things were better left unsaid, but he couldn't shake the urge to speak up.

David, without looking up, asked, "What is it you want to say?"

"I know I shouldn't bring this up, but... if we can't find the antidote..." Nathan's words trailed off.

David cut him off sharply, "If you know you shouldn't speak, then don't. Just keep quiet."

"Understood. I'll get to it right away." Nathan answered quickly, a little rattled.

"Wait." David raised a hand to stop him. "Check on the two people in the cave and the group of masked figures. Find out who they are."

"Understood." Nathan nodded and exited the room.

David leaned back in his chair, massaging his temples as he sank deep into thought.

Elsewhere, Danielle had spent the entire afternoon in the lab, consumed by the blood samples she had collected. Her face was creased in concentration, similar to the expressions she wore back in the frontier during live experiments.

The masked figures she had encountered in that cave? They were the result of someone's twisted science. Holding the report tightly in her hands, she couldn't help but feel a chill. These were people-humans-turned into indestructible weapons, devoid of any morality in their creation.

Could the Shadow Domain be connected to these masked figures? And what did they intend to do with them?

Danielle glanced at her watch-it was already 8 p.m. Tonight, she had something important to discuss with her family.

She left the lab and checked her phone. A flood of missed calls and messages filled her screen. She dealt with the urgent ones quickly and stuffed the phone into her pocket.

At the Treeside Villa, her brothers had been waiting anxiously ever since she mentioned having something to discuss with them. They were getting worried as time passed without her return.

"Do you think Danielle's poison flared up again? Is she in danger? Why hasn't she come back yet?" Austin asked, clearly concerned.

"Austin, do you ever know when to keep quiet?" Elliot shot him a look of disdain. "She must be dealing with something important, that's why she's late. Let's wait a little longer."

Their parents, Howard and Vivian, shared their worry. They had seen first-hand what the poison did to Danielle, especially since Jason had mentioned that Danielle only had three months left to live.

The brothers exchanged silent glances. The weight of their parents' unspoken despair was heavy, and each of them felt it like a crushing blow to the chest.

Danielle finally arrived, taking a deep breath as she stepped out of the car. Her brothers surely knew by now. With a warm smile, she walked into the living room and saw her parents and brothers all with their heads hanging low.

"Mom, Dad, brothers, I'm home." She flashed them a bright smile and sat down on one side of the sofa.

"My dear, have you eaten?" Vivian asked, her voice strained, trying to mask the sadness she felt.

"Not yet," Danielle replied, "Why don't we eat together?"

Joseph smiled. "Sounds good, I'm starving."

Howard got up and said, "I've asked the kitchen to prepare all your favorite dishes."

The dinner table was filled with dishes, and Danielle's bowl was heaping with food. Her parents and brothers piled food onto her plate, but they barely ate themselves. All of them were focused on watching her eat.

"Please, stop piling food onto my plate. I can't finish it, and it'll go to waste. You all eat, too." Danielle tried to ignore their gazes, but it was impossible to.

"""Danielle, it's Matthew's fault. If he hadn't been kidnapped, none of this would've happened. Xavier wouldn't have been hurt, and you wouldn't have had a poison flare-up," Matthew said with an apologetic expression.

Danielle put down her fork and looked at them, her voice soft yet firm. "Matthew, stop saying such foolish things. We're family. This isn't your fault."

"Matthew, why were you even in the cave?" she asked, her tone shifting to something more serious.

Matthew paused and thought back, "I was knocked out in the underground garage. When I woke up, I was tied up in the cave. I don't remember what happened in between."

Danielle's expression darkened. "If it wasn't you, it could've been any of the other brothers. The Darling family is being targeted. You all need to be careful when you go out."

vel.net

"I've been investigating the incident when I was kidnapped. I found out some things that connect to an overseas organization. It's very complicated, and I haven't uncovered much yet. I nevero intended to tell you all this, but I don't know when I'll have another poison flare-up. I just wanted you to be aware of the danger."

She paused, her voice turning quieter. "And please, don't try to investigate it yourselves. I'll try to find out more before the poison takes over again."

Joseph clenched his jaw and frowned. "Danielle, you have to trust us. We'll protect

you. We'll find the antidote. We won't let anything happen to you."

net

Danielle wasn't distrusting them, but she knew the reality. The Darling family had always been straightforward in business, and their bodyguards weren't exactly the best in combat. She didn't want her

brothers to be in danger. Besides, she didn't have much time left. She would bear the darkness alone.

"Joseph, I trust you all, but

remember what happened last time-Elliot was shot during a

mission, and that was directly tied to the people behind the scenes. And don't forget about the car accident Julian took the hit for me. And the time our grandparents were in that accident. And the poisoning last time." Content belongs to

Novelxo.org

Howard, Vivian, and the brothers froze. It hit them hard. They hadn't realized how much Joseph had secretly done to protect them.

"We had those people's eyes on us," Danielle continued. "They tried to kill us on the way to Blackpool Village. Only Xavier, Dad, Mom, and the three maids knew about

it."

Her family sat in stunned silence. The weight of their ignorance crushed them.

"I never wanted to talk about my poisoning," Danielle continued, her voice colder now. "I thought I could suppress it with medicine for a few more years, but I can't hold it back anymore."

"By now, you should all know that the poison I have is called Luna Stalk. It's

incurable. When it flares up, I'll attack anyone nearby without realizing it. Later, my senses will fade, and the pain in my body will be so excruciating, it'll be worse than

death."

Her words struck deep, like a dagger to the heart of each family member.

"Danielle, don't give up. We'll find a way!" Vivian choked out, tears brimming in her

eyes.

Danielle forced a small smile. "Mom, I haven't given up. Don't worry."

"Bring Sarah, Lindsey, and Judy in here," she instructed the maid. Moments later, the three maids entered and stood in a line, awaiting her orders.

"How long have you worked for the Darling family?" Danielle asked, her eyes

scanning them with a sharp gaze.

"I've been here for four years."

"Five years."

"Four years."

They answered, confused by the sudden question.

Only Judy felt a surge of unease. What did Danielle mean? She had to stay calm.

She wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but she had to be ready. Danielle's voice went ice cold. "So, the Darling family has been treating you well, hasn't it? So why have you betrayed us?"

Her chilling tone sent a wave of fear through the maids.

"I... I haven't betrayed the Darling family. The family has treated me so well, I would

never do such a thing," Sarah cried, suddenly collapsing to her knees, her tears streaming down her face.

"I swear, Miss Darling, I haven't betrayed the family! You've always been so good to me, I would never harm the Darling family," Lindsey said, her face ashen. Judy was the last to speak, barely holding back her tears. "Miss Darling, I've been

with the family for four years. Mrs. Darling has always treated me so well. I would never betray the family. Is there a misunderstanding? What happened?" The tension in the room was unbearable. Danielle's chilling presence left no room

for doubt she would uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

Reading History

Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)

Chapter 221

Not a

Small-town Girl