Richest Mogul

Vivian's eyes brightened when she saw Manfred. "You're finally back!" But her relief turned to dread the moment she took in Manfred's appearance.

His steps faltered as he approached, and when light hit his face, she saw how pale he was. Blood streaked across his torn clothes, soaking the fabric.

A deep wound carved into his chest, fresh blood still oozing from it.

"You're hurt!" she gasped.

Manfred lifted his gaze, his eyes locking onto hers. "Don't worry. I'm fine. See that cabinet over there? There are medical supplies inside. Just help me dress the wound. Don't worry."

His body gave out as soon as he finished speaking.

Vivian rushed forward, catching him before he collapsed completely. Her face turned pale at the sight of the wound up close. It was still bleeding steadily.

Her experience tending to Manfred's wounds in the past gave her the confidence to act quickly. Without hesitation, she ripped off his torn shirt.

The full extent of the injury became clear, and she stopped, stunned. "This is far worse than I imagined," she murmured. "It's so deep!"

She shook off her shock and ran to the cabinet. Inside an assortment of medicine bottles sat in neat rows. She grabbed an ornate bottle at random.

Manfred's wound was a brutal gash, the flesh ripped open and raw. It was deep, spanning a wide area, and the risk of infection loomed large if not treated properly.

black market, were nonexistent. She had no

time she finished treating him, sweat dripped from her

remained unconscious, his face still

hold on. You can't give up

happened in the past two days? His injuries were far worse than she'd anticipated. And

start, disoriented. How long had she been out? A sudden noise from

"Manfred?" she called softly.

A maid's anxious tone answered someone. "Mr. Bowman, Mr. Atkinson hasn't been in the

lately. He used to be easy to read, but now he's completely unreadable. Do you think

has seen him for the last couple of days," Sterling

He began

"What are you looking

expression cold.

beat. She instinctively reached for the dagger

this is? This is Manfred's room. People die here all the

since he got rid of the candle jars, there's nothing to cover the

Sterling a

in his eyes. "You make a

He's much more aggressive now, if you