?<strong>Chapter 708:</strong>


    Though his location still showed as active and nearby, it appeared someone was maliciously manipting the situation. Alicia quickly checked the room for any rm systems, but it was clear that they had been disabled well before her arrival.


    Just then, a soft noise from the bathroom caught her attention. Swiftly, Alicia picked up an object to use as a weapon, gripping it firmly in her hand. The bathroom door creaked open, and a disheveled man staggered out. He was visibly weak, his face red and his movements unsteady.


    When he caught sight of Alicia, he stepped back. Alicia was shocked.


    “Mr. Langstaff?” she asked, her voice filled with disbelief.


    Fear was evident in ke’s eyes.


    “Keep your distance!” he gasped, struggling for air, his speech slurred.


    “Alicia, stay back.”


    Having been drugged herself in the past, Alicia recognized the signs. ke’s soaked appearance and erratic behavior made it clear that he had been drugged and manipted. She surveyed the room quickly. They were alone.


    Even though the man now standing before her was ke, an acquaintance, Alicia did not lower her weapon. Instead, she concealed it behind her back as she took a step back.


    “Mr. Langstaff, what brings you here?” Alicia asked, noticing that he hadn’tpletely lost control.


    “Who did you meet with earlier?” Alicia asked, her voice steady butced with concern.


    ke grimaced in pain. Despite his past experiences with various substances, he was unfamiliar with whatever drug was coursing through his system. Trying to cool off in cold water had only worsened the symptoms.


    Turning away from Alicia, ke muttered, “I was supposed to be on a flight tonight. After drinking a cup of coffee, I cked out and found myself here.”


    Realizing that ke wouldn’t be able to provide any more information in his current state, Alicia focused on her next steps. This felt like an attack orchestrated by the Moss family, aimed at hurting her through ke. While ke wasn’t closely rted to Caden, any harm done to him would surely add more weight to Caden’s already difficult situation.


    Alicia thought about calling the police, but soon discovered that the phone service had already been disconnected. Herst means of seeking help had been cut off. Frustration built up inside her, tightening her jaw.


    ke, still fighting the effects of the drug, began tearing off his clothes, his hands and feet bound in a desperate attempt to gain control.


    “Alicia, keep your distance,” he urged weakly.


    “I can handle the pain as long as you don’t get close to me.”


    Aliciapressed her lips in silence, her eyes darting around the room. She scanned for anything else that could send out a signal. Her gaze eventuallynded on an unusual doll on the TV cab.


    Curious, Alicia crouched down for a closer inspection. One of the doll’s eyes was glowing with a red light.


    Realizing it was a hidden camera, Alicia quickly dismantled it. But the moment she cracked it open, a mist burst forth, its sharp, pungent scent filling the air.


    The odor was overwhelming, and before she could react, her thoughts became muddled. She copsed to the floor, her body sumbing to the powerful effects of the gas.


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