Chapter 356: Chapter 140 Poisoned Gift
Gemma’s POV
After the chaos surrounding Vincenzo’s birthday celebration at the Thorne family compound, Nadia insisted we retreat to her coastal safehouse the following weekend. She was practically vibrating with excitement about finalizing our wedding plans, her enthusiasm proving contagious despite my lingering exhaustion.
That weekend, our entire crew made the journey - family associates, household staff, and even our security detail’s K-9 units. I extended invitations to Phoebe and Brenda, believing a change of scenery might ease their nerves after Phoebe’s harrowing encounter with rival family enforcers. Their parents seemed visibly relieved seeing them in better spirits, especially after Phoebe’s mother confided that her daughter had been suffering night terrors and panic attacks.
Dominic, surprisingly, couldn’t contain his excitement about the beachfront wedding venue. He kept praising the strategic advantages of Nadia’s property, but nothing prepared me for witnessing it firsthand. Nadia’s taste for fortified luxury was evident in what could only be described as a coastal fortress disguised as an elegant mansion.
The imposing structure rose two stories in a defensive L-configuration, featuring reinforced glass walls that Nadia favored for their ability to provide clear sightlines while flooding the interior with natural light. The property boasted a spectacular infinity pool overlooking the endless Atlantic and an expansive lawn where Nadia was already envisioning our celebration under armed protection. The entire compound was breathtaking yet strategically impenetrable.
"Well, Gemma," Nadia turned toward me with an expectant smile spreading across her weathered face. "What do you think? Would you honor me by celebrating your union here?"
"Nadia, the honor belongs entirely to me," I replied, still absorbing the natural beauty surrounding this carefully constructed sanctuary. "Your fortress looks like it belongs in an architectural magazine."
"I’m thrilled you appreciate it. This place carries deep significance for me," Nadia gazed at the compound with evident affection. "Years ago, after losing a pregnancy during a particularly brutal territory war, I fell into devastating depression. Gerard believed ocean air might restore my sanity, so he secured a small safehouse nearby where we spent weeks in hiding. This was merely empty coastline then. Daily, I’d patrol the shoreline and position myself on that rocky outcrop, watching the waves crash while contemplating our losses. Gradually, my spirit began healing, as if each breaking wave carried away pieces of my grief. Gerard recognized the transformation and moved heaven and earth to acquire this strategic property. He gifted it to me, encouraging me to design whatever fortress I desired. Being an architect before joining the family, though I don’t practice civilian work anymore, I designed every defensive aspect of this compound myself, ensuring we never lose sight of the natural landscape we’re protecting."
By the conclusion of Nadia’s story, tears welled in my eyes, and I embraced her spontaneously, pouring genuine affection into the gesture.
"Thank you for sharing such a powerful story," I whispered during our embrace. "Your compound is perfect for our wedding - it’s a sanctuary built on survival and new beginnings."
When I stepped back, Nadia’s eyes glistened with emotion. We returned to the main house to find cheerful chaos filling the living space. Zoe, true to her controlling nature, had already organized the day’s security rotations. A barbecue was planned, with everyone already changed into casual clothes. The women were eager for ocean swimming under watchful guard, so we decided the men would handle meal preparation while we enjoyed the waves.
By late afternoon, our group was sprawled around the pool area, pleasantly exhausted from the day’s supervised activities. One of Nadia’s household operatives approached me carrying a small package adorned with an elegant ribbon.
"Miss, this just arrived through our screening process," he said, extending the suspicious delivery.
"Who brought it through our perimeter?" I inquired with growing concern, glancing at Dominic beside me, who immediately tensed with professional alertness.
"A civilian courier service, miss. Definitely not one of our usual contacts," the operative replied with practiced caution.
I accepted the package and noticed the seal of a renowned artisanal chocolate manufacturer. Being an absolute chocolate enthusiast, especially since my pregnancy had intensified these cravings beyond reason, I began salivating immediately despite my wariness.
"Who sent this, Songbird?" Dominic asked with sharp interest, his protective instincts already activated.
"Wasn’t it you?" When he shook his head grimly, I added, "There’s no identification card attached, so I have no idea."
I carefully opened the package, anticipating the sweet indulgence while remaining alert for threats. Recognizing the contents, my excitement dimmed considerably - these were liqueur-filled chocolates containing significant alcohol content.
"Oh, these contain alcohol. I should avoid them because of the baby," I pouted with genuine disappointment.
"Goddess, don’t make that face. I’ll acquire safe chocolates for you immediately. Let me dispose of these," Dominic said, gently but firmly removing the suspicious package from my hands.
"What’s happening, Dominic? Confiscating treats from a pregnant woman?" Zoe approached, giving him a mock-stern expression while maintaining professional awareness.
"Gemma received these chocolates anonymously, but they contain alcohol and aren’t safe during pregnancy," Dominic explained with underlying tension.
"I’ll handle disposal," Zoe grinned, claiming the package for investigation.
Gerard, overhearing our conversation as he approached with visible concern, interjected, "I appreciate fine liqueur chocolates, Zoe! Save some for testing. Gemma, I’ll have someone acquire pregnancy-safe alternatives for you and my nephew immediately, don’t worry." He gestured for Dominic to maintain vigilance.
The small package contained six chocolates that were quickly distributed among trusted associates - one each to Zoe, Quentin, Nadia, Xavier, my mother, and Bee for controlled consumption.
True to his word, before long I sat contentedly with an enormous selection of pregnancy-safe chocolates Gerard had expedited through secure channels. However, I noticed he appeared unusually pale and tense.
"Quentin, are you feeling alright?" I asked with mounting concern.
"Actually, no. My stomach feels like it’s being shredded by knives," Quentin grimaced, clutching his abdomen with obvious agony.
"Thank God we have medical professionals here," I said urgently. "Let’s get Andrew or Zander to examine you immediately."
I helped stabilize him toward the couch. At that precise moment, Zoe descended the stairs complaining of identical stomach pains with alarming intensity. Finding this coincidence deeply disturbing, I briefly left them to summon Andrew and Zander from the secured pool area. They responded with immediate professional urgency.
"What have our two operatives consumed?" Zander attempted maintaining calm while assessing the crisis.
"Guys, I’m going to be violently sick," Zoe announced with desperate urgency.
"Hold position." I sprinted to the kitchen, returning with a disposal container just in time for Zoe to empty her stomach violently.
"Let me use that, Zoe," Quentin requested desperately before vomiting with equal intensity.
"This is extremely concerning," Andrew observed grimly, examining both patients with clinical precision. He checked their pupils and monitored their pulse rates with growing alarm. "Who else consumed those chocolates you received, Gemma?"
