This wasn't poisoning — it was his son Felix's epilepsy acting up.
Clint's pupils constricted sharply as he said to the butler Doug,
"Get the medicine, get the medicine."
Then he grabbed a napkin from the table, rolled it up, and stuffed it into Felix's mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue.
Felix had no history of epilepsy before; it was recently triggered by fright.
For a week, every family member had been subjected to threats, and Felix was especially targeted.
Three days ago at a banquet, Felix was mercilessly mocked by heirs of rival families after a newspaper exposed his scandal again. Furious, he stormed off.
On his way through the woods, he got into a car accident. Later, walking alone, he was shadowed and threatened by a vague figure. In a panic, he ran a red light and was hit by a passing vehicle, breaking a leg.
Even worse, the key part of Felix's manhood was crushed in the accident.
Felix woke in the hospital unable to accept such a blow. Overwhelmed with anger and despair, he suffered a seizure right there.
Because he was immobilized, he was convalescing on the first floor.
What had caused his son's condition? Clint's gaze fell on a gift box beside his eldest son.
Inside was a delicate wax figure, a replica of Felix, but his head was taped shakily to the body, wobbling. Next to it lay a gleaming dagger—a naked threat of death.
Under the doll was a stack of identical photos—photos of Clint intertwined with his daughter-in-law.
On the back was written:
"You're no man anymore. You've completely given your wife to your father!"
Clint trembled with rage. He felt the cruel mockery of fate.
He had used similar methods once to torture his rivals. Now the same was done to him. The bitterness was unbearable.
Just then, Doug handed Clint a letter that came with the box after giving Felix his medicine.
Both Clint and Doug focused on the letter, neither noticing Felix's eyes bloodshot with hatred as he recovered and glared at his father.
Like a madman, Felix grabbed the dagger and lunged at Clint, shouting,
"It's you! It's all your fault! You ruined everything! I'll kill you!"
But Doug reacted first, pushing Clint aside but unable to hold back the force, taking the blade himself and dying instantly.
Bloodied and crazed, Felix chased Clint around the house with the dagger.
Just as Clint was about to be stabbed by his son, the cries of his grandson upstairs saved his life.
Felix limped back into his room to escape reality.
Panting, Clint looked at the bloodied body of his butler and then at his son, tears streaming down his frightened face.
His spirit seemed drained, aging instantly. He waved at the stunned servants to clean up the mess.
He went upstairs, soothed his grandson, and then silently returned to his study.
Clint's hands trembled as he opened the letter.
Inside was a photo of Clint's only bloodline—his eldest grandson.
Clint knew what Leo wanted: if he didn't die, the misfortune would continue.
He sighed deeply, looked out the window, cast a reluctant last glance at the world, then raised the gun.
Bang.
Harry learned of Clint's death the next day, almost simultaneously seeing in the newspaper that Jesse was hospitalized again after a car accident.
Even in his own study, Harry felt a chill down his spine.
He immediately arranged security with six vehicles and rushed 500 kilometers overnight.
He arrived at the Cotton family estate.
Almost the moment the butler nodded, Harry stormed into Harold's study.
Facing his father-in-law, he stammered,
"Harold, you have to do something. Leo's gone mad—he killed Clint!"
Unlike Harry's panic, Harold's eyes lit up at the news that Leo had killed Clint.
Clint and Leo's previous victims were small fries, but Clint was a former governor.
This might stir some against Leo and form a new anti-Leo alliance.
"Are you sure Leo did it?"
Harold asked expectantly.
Harry shook his head,
"It was suicide."
Harold's expression instantly turned cold,
"A loser is a loser, worthless even in death."
Hearing Harold's cold remark, Harry, also a governor, felt a kind of bitter sympathy. He wasn't sure if Harold had considered using Clint's death against Leo.
He pressed on,
"This can't go on. Virginia's political scene is in turmoil."
"Don't worry, haven't we prepared a countermeasure?"
Harold said.
"Perfect timing. Tomorrow morning, come with me to pick up Thomas."
At New York airport, a large group walked out of the terminal with great momentum.
At the center was Thomas's family, guarded closely.
Thomas looked older but his eyes shone bright. Finding his son had brought him great joy and a new purpose.
To his left stood a man almost as old, with completely white hair, thin to the extreme, wearing an ill-fitting small suit.
This was Winston Morton, Thomas's long-lost son.
On the right was Evelyn, serene as ever.
"Thomas!"
Harry opened his arms with a joyful expression.
After their embrace, Harry said excitedly,
"Great, my best partner is back. Without your guidance, I can barely make progress in Virginia politics."
Thomas smiled broadly but was mentally racing.
He and Harry were purely allies. Harry's enthusiasm was unusual; something was amiss, probably a betrayal.
Glancing at Evelyn, a bad feeling surged. They had gone after Leo again.
That made sense—Leo looked polite but was actually rebellious and wealthy. How could these people tolerate him?
Still, Leo always created miracles. With a hint of luck, Thomas joked,
"You're smart, Harry. What problem can't you solve? Tell me and make me happy."
Harry's face turned serious,
"It's Leo."
At Harry's words, Thomas inwardly sighed: just as expected.
Before leaving America, Evelyn knew Harry and Leo were friends, so she had hoped to see her longed-for Lion King when Harry arrived.
Leo didn't show up, which disappointed her a bit, but Evelyn was clever and observant—perfect score.
Living with her grandfather, she noticed Thomas's expression. Something was wrong—was Leo in danger?
Winston also sensed something. Years of imprisonment made him suspicious and sensitive.
He keenly noticed the special emotions on his father and daughter's faces when they heard Leo's name, and mentally noted it.
"Leo is now allied with your former presidential opponent—Truman.
He has also become a close friend of Secretary of State Marshall.
His Valentino real estate dominates Virginia's market, expanding into New York and Pennsylvania.
Most importantly, he created a new sales model: pre-sale.
Now all over America, people sing his praises.
They call him a business genius, even the next Rockefeller.
He controls many grassroots politicians in the state.
Do you know what people call them now?"
"What do they call them?"
Before Thomas could answer, Evelyn's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Harry looked at Evelyn, alarm bells ringing in his mind.
Damn, forgot Evelyn liked Leo—they were a couple.
No, Leo is now a definite enemy; he must not be allowed to act. His alliance with Thomas would only strengthen his power.
Harry recalled Leo's recent scandals and, scheming, said,
"The Valentino faction!
No one listens to me in the state anymore.
Evelyn, I may have bad news.
Your lover has changed. He's now the famous playboy of the East.
This isn't gossip—you can buy a paper and see he's been living with a Broadway actress at the Waldorf Astoria for a month."
Thomas frowned slightly but was prepared. He knew Leo had a girlfriend in Lynchburg while dating his granddaughter.
Winston's face darkened. His guilt over his daughter made him desperate to protect her.
Now hearing she liked a playboy, he was determined not to let that man take advantage of his daughter.
Compared to them, the real protagonist Evelyn was not angry but cheerfully asked Harry,
"Does he have any illegitimate children yet?"
The question stunned Harry into silence.
Thomas, knowing his granddaughter's odd worldview, quickly interrupted,
"Harry, you obviously aren't telling me the whole truth.
Clearly, you two had a falling out while I was gone.
If you want my help, you need to tell me exactly what happened."
Harry said seriously,
"Thomas, Mr. Cotton wants to see you."
Thomas's face darkened in displeasure,
"I was classmates with his father Harold. Oswald isn't important enough for me to meet him!"
Thomas misunderstood, since Harold had long ago said he retired, handing family matters to eldest son Oswald.
Harry shook his head,
"Not Oswald. It's Harold Cotton."
Upon hearing the retired Harold personally came out, Thomas immediately realized the seriousness.
Clearly, Leo's actions were worse than Thomas thought, stirring his curiosity.
He followed Harry to Harold's car and got in.
"Clint is dead! Leo did it," Harold said bluntly.
"Too bad. But I don't believe that cunning brat would leave such obvious evidence for you."
Thomas's expression was serious, but secretly he was delighted his political rival was taken down by someone he admired.
"Cut the act, Thomas. We've known each other a long time.
You wouldn't be upset about Clint's death.
Neither would I.
I'm talking about Leo. He's gone completely mad in Virginia, beyond control.
Before it was Richmond's mayor Jesse, now Clint. Nobody knows who's next.
At this table, if wronged, you can slam the table twice, but you can't let him smash it.
Tell him to stop!
He's earned the right to sit down and talk with me. Remember when we went to China together? We learned a saying: harmony brings wealth."
"I'll try. But that kid doesn't have enough to gain; he probably won't change," Thomas said.
"Go talk. As long as it's not too extreme, we can accept it."
Watching Harold and Harry's car drive away, Thomas's face darkened instantly.
Harold's words were insincere; the implied meaning of "we can accept anything" was actually "we accept nothing."
Harold was sure Thomas wouldn't allow Leo to destroy the political system he built in three terms as governor.
Thomas planned to reason with Leo—such arrogance wouldn't last long.
But his dark mood was not just for that—it was because Norton and Harry had come to pick him up.
Although with Norton's skills it wasn't hard to find out which plane Thomas was on, his politician's caution made him notice that neither Harry nor Norton doubted the son beside him—as if saving him was expected.
Thomas rose from the bottom up and was experienced in struggles. Rescuing his son from a South African slum went too smoothly.
So smoothly it seemed arranged. What coincidence is that?
When Leo learned Thomas's family had returned, he was making love to Grace.
Thomas seemed deliberate, arranging to meet at the Waldorf Astoria's first-floor restaurant and saying they had already arrived.
For the first time in his life, Leo felt caught red-handed.
He hurriedly arranged for Mian Tiao to take Grace away by another elevator.
Arriving at the restaurant, Leo first embraced Thomas, then kissed Evelyn passionately.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Thomas holding a newspaper.
It reported Leo and Grace's affair.
Leo, thick-skinned as a fortress, now looked at Evelyn with guilt.
But Evelyn's madness exceeded even his expectations.
She leaned into Leo's ear and playfully licked his earlobe, whispering,
"My Lion King, although you did as I said,
you haven't completed the mission.
After all this effort, there's no little lion cub.
I'm very disappointed."
Leo never thought he'd fall in love with a lunatic.
But he really liked this crazy Evelyn.
He whispered back,
"The task of producing a little lion cub is for the Lion King's favorite lioness!"