A Replacement Bride

Chapter 225

"Find them first and uncover the truth in the shortest time possible. Also, make the necessary preparations; I'll be dropping by the Fraser Residence for a bit." Katherine's expression was rather serious. She didn't explain much to Marcus as she instructed him coldly.

Seeing that, Marcus didn't dare question her, for he feared that something might happen. After all, Zak Fraser was a powerful man. The people he was involved with were never common folk, so if something were to happen, Marcus would be biting off more than he could chew.

Marcus left in a haste.

Katherine rubbed between her eyebrows, her expression still sullen.

Joaquin frowned when he saw her like that. He couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with Zak? Do you know anything?"

"Yes." Katherine nodded. When she saw Jennifer looking at them, she stayed silent briefly before asking Joaquin directly, "Have you heard of the man-faced curse?"

Joaquin was about to reply when Jennifer's hand suddenly trembled, causing the thermos cup in her hand to crash onto the floor.

Seeing Jennifer's reaction, Katherine seemed to have thought of something. A short while later, she asked Jennifer, "Grandma, are you alright?"

"I'm okay. I'm getting old, so my hands are getting shaky. Carry on, you two. I'm going back to rest." The old woman looked a little uneasy. She didn't say much to Katherine before retiring to her room right away.

Katherine pursed her lips, staying silent as she watched Jennifer's retreating silhouette.

"What's wrong?" Joaquin noticed something odd about Katherine's expression, so he couldn't help but look in the direction Jennifer left.

Katherine shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm getting tired, so I'll go rest as well. You should go back to your own house tonight."

With that, Katherine didn't even give Joaquin a chance to reply as she immediately walked away, leaving him alone. She went back to her room and closed the door.

Joaquin had a feeling that Katherine's reaction wasn't normal; it was especially so after she mentioned the man-faced curse and Jennifer dropped her cup. Katherine had looked even more abnormal then.

Joaquin stood there for a while before returning to his own house.

Keith was still awake, and he was sitting on the couch in the living room playing video games. When he saw Joaquin walking in, he immediately tossed his phone to the side and smiled as he walked up to Joaquin. "Joaquin, why aren't you sleeping with my sister tonight?"

Joaquin gave him an indifferent glance. "Didn't your sister say that you should be returning to Kyoland? You'll be going back tomorrow, right? I'll see you off."

"Wait, what?" Keith looked stunned. He was shocked to see Joaquin change his behavior so suddenly.

"Why are you still awake? Do you want me to send you back right now?" Joaquin side-eyed him coldly.

Keith felt like he had been caught in the crossfire of some fight. He dared not sputter any more nonsense, for he knew that more often than not, Joaquin meant what he said. As such, Keith turned around and went back to his room.

Seeing Keith so intimidated, Joaquin couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. Then, he went back to his room.

Early the next morning, Marcus arrived at Katherine's place. He didn't look too good, and as soon as he entered the house, he asked Katherine for a cup of water.

He hadn't slept for the entire night, so he looked very haggard at the moment with dark circles under his eyes. After drinking the water, he slightly recovered himself as he looked at Katherine. "Bad news, Miss Cornell. Something happened."

"What is it?" Judging by Marcus' reaction, Katherine had a bad feeling about this. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

"Some time ago, Mr. Fraser met up with a few elders and had a meal with them. While looking into his schedule yesterday, I happened to find out about this meeting. I meant to come over earlier today and tell you right away, but I received news just now that all the elders who met Mr. Fraser have fallen sick and are now lying unconscious in the hospital. They've lost signs of life." Marcus' voice was trembling, and after he finished talking, he looked pleadingly at Katherine.

"Miss Cornell, please. You may have to come with me to Kyoland for a while. The situation there is very concerning. Several researchers from the research institute have been summoned there, but no one can figure out what the problem is."

Katherine didn't speak for a long while. She simply looked at Marcus' urgent expression as she remained silent.

After some time, she finally opened her mouth and said calmly, "Book the tickets."

Ever since returning to the country, she had never once thought of going to Kyoland, for she felt that it wasn't time yet. There were some old friends she didn't want to meet at the moment, but now that such an incident had happened, she couldn't avoid it any longer and could only make the trip.

However, if she went, she would never have a peaceful day in her life in the future.

At once, Katherine felt immensely troubled.

Just then, Zak woke up. He emerged from the room and was slightly stunned to see Marcus there. He then gazed at Katherine and said, "Thank you so much, Miss Cornell."

"There's no need to thank me. I have to make a quick trip to Kyoland, so don't go home in the meantime. Just stay here and don't go anywhere. Joaquin, get someone to keep watch here, and forbid anyone from entering or leaving. No exceptions!" Katherine's expression was cold. She didn't look at Zak, only turning around to greet Joaquin.

Joaquin nodded, then gave Jeremy a call so that someone would come and seal off Soulin International. The floor where Katherine lived would be restricted, so no one could enter or leave freely.

"Miss Cornell, the flight tickets have been booked." Marcus made a call and got someone to book tickets for Katherine's flight to Kyoland. After the booking was confirmed, he came over and reported to Katherine.

"Get me a flight ticket as well." Joaquin got up and gave Marcus the order, then went out the door with Katherine.

Marcus scratched his head. He knew that Joaquin had his private air route and also a private jet. If he wanted to go to Kyoland, why couldn't he use his plane? Why would he need to buy tickets?

Marcus didn't quite understand Joaquin's thoughts. He shook his head, then made another call to book tickets for Joaquin.

When the two of them drove to the airport, someone was already waiting for them there.

Marcus had booked a chartered flight, so Joaquin and Katherine were the only passengers on the plane. The only other people onboard were security staff from the Department of State who would escort them along the way.

"Those elders suddenly lost consciousness because of the man-faced curse?" After settling down in the first-class cabin, Joaquin finally had some free time to ask Katherine.

"I'm not sure. There might be other reasons. I can only be sure after I get there and have a look myself." Katherine shook her head without elaborating much.

Noticing the fatigue in the depths of Katherine's eyes, Joaquin guessed that she hadn't rested well the night before either, so he decided not to bother her anymore.

Two hours later, the plane arrived in Kyoland.

Marcus had already made the arrangements. As soon as Joaquin and Katherine landed, a private car came to pick them up.

Just then, the atmosphere at the Military District General Hospital was unusually grave.

Several neurologists and cardiologists were carrying out consultations here, and every single one of them wore solemn expressions.

The ICU was filled overnight. Other than the five elders who had come into contact with Zak before, all of their family members fainted as well, and they had no vital signs either.

"They're already dead. Their hearts have stopped beating, and their brains are dead. I don't understand why you're still trying to rescue them. What are you waiting for?" In the hospital corridor, an aged doctor seemed impatient as he shouted urgently.

"We're waiting for someone." In front of him stood a man in his 30s. The said man looked cold and serious, and he didn't spare the doctor a glance as he stared intently in the direction of the elevator, seemingly waiting for someone to appear.