The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 405

Based on Payton's demeanor, Leilani realized that this man was indeed an old friend of Paulina's and meant her no harm. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and placed her fingertips on his wrist to check his pulse.

Leilani focused her energy. The pulse was heavy and erratic. There were signs of exhausted vitality and damage to all five internal organs... These were symptoms she had become all too familiar with since her release from prison. It was the sign of poisoning!

Leilani frowned, carefully analyzing the anomalies in the pulse. The longer she diagnosed him, the graver her expression became.

"You've been poisoned." Leilani withdrew her hand, her voice low and laced with confusion. "And... it's a very rare, complex toxin."

Payton smiled faintly. "Can you tell what kind of poison it is?"

Leilani shook her head. "One of the components is extremely complex. I can't identify the source of that specific toxin yet."

A flash of disappointment crossed Payton's face, but he quickly returned to his usual demeanor. "As expected... Paulina diagnosed this poison for me years ago. She couldn't identify it back then, either."

If her master hadn't been able to do it, it was only natural that Leilani, who had only studied under Paulina for four years, couldn't identify it immediately.

Payton's voice was soft, carrying a hint of self-mockery. "It seems this body of mine is truly beyond saving."

Leilani stared at him and suddenly spoke. "If you're willing to trust me, I can try."

Payton "looked" at her, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Oh?"

Leilani’s tone was firm. "Give me one week. I'll stay by your side and research a cure."

"In exchange..." Leilani looked directly at Payton. "You must tell me the secret of the pendant, and give me everything Paulina left behind."

Dragging her suitcase, Leilani followed Abel through the narrow, damp alleyways.

As a less economically developed area, the district was a stark contrast to the modern, pristine buildings of the city center. The alley Abel led her down was lined with old, tightly packed residential buildings. The walls were peeling, and chaotic tangles of electrical wires hung overhead. Laundry fluttered from balconies in the breeze, giving the place a vibrant, lived-in atmosphere.

Abel looked back at her as he walked, grinning. "Dr. Sloan, don't let the environment fool you. The rent is cheap, and the neighbors are all close-knit. It's safe!"

He pointed to the tattoos on his arm, his tone boastful. "With me around, no one in this area will dare to trouble you."

Leilani glanced at him and asked indifferently, "How long have you lived here?"

Abel scratched his head, throwing out a rough number. "Over three years, I think."