In the grand bedroom of the Burke mansion, it took two days for Nichole to feel the full, agonizing grip of withdrawal. Her screams echoed through the room, and the chains binding her limbs rattled against the bed frame.


    After what felt like an eternity of torment, Nichole cried out, "Please, I''m begging you! Save me... I know I messed up, I really do!"


    Her pleas met only silence. Desperate, she screamed, "James! What did I ever do to you? What did you inject me with?"


    James stood on the opposite side of the room, staring intently at a timer in his hand.


    The first wave of agonysted about three hours. During those three hours, Nichole swung from excitement to sheer madness. The process was torturous but not fatal.


    Finally, she copsed onto the bed, utterly spent. Dark circles marred her eyes. In less than a week, she''d been reduced to a frail shadow of herself, nothing more than skin and bones.


    The first phase was over. James rose from the couch. He had a nutrient-rich drink prepared and poured it straight into Nichole''s mouth.


    "Cough cough-!" Nichole hacked violently, as if she was trying to eject her very soul.


    James had been feeding her high-protein supplements to keep her alive, but the blended concoction was nothing short of pig slop.


    Feeling like a mere animal, Nichole had survived by the barest thread.Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.


    "What did you inject me with? Please, just let me go... I don''t need to be Mrs. Burke. Just let me go, I''m begging you..."


    Nichole pleaded, but James'' eyes remained emotionless.


    In the next moment, he firmly reapplied the tape over her mouth. Nichole, now too weak to resist,y there bound by chains, as helpless as amb to the ughter.


    "You should be thankful you''re still useful. Otherwise, your suffering would be far worse."


    James'' eyes were cold as he looked


    at Nichole. His phone shed,


    drawing his attention. He walked out of the room, sending detailed


    reports of Nichole''s reactions nex


    timing, and condition. After finishing,


    he turned off his phone, his face set


    in stone.


    If Nichole could survive without thetest countermeasures, then Sophie, so can you.


    In the Aldridge Estate, Sophie was following her daily health monitoring routine After a thorough check-up, the doctors reported, "Ms. Sophie, all your health indicators are normal,


    except for low blood sugar


    Gordon nodded, "You may leave us now." "Yes, sir."


    With the doctors gone, the room held only Gordon and Sophie.


    Sophie asked, "Is there something you want to tell me, Mr. Gordon?"


    "One month."


    "What?"


    "In one month, you''ll be back to normal."


    Sophie was stunned. Gordon


    continued, "Thetest drug from the Mintons is designed to create instant addiction. However, the dose Odie gave you must have been diluted. Otherwise, it would''ve damaged your nerves and caused rapid addiction."