Chapter 383: Chapter 383: Kitchen Killer
Evelyn Ford nodded. "That’s right. We need to get the stillborn fetus out so you can recover. The longer it stays inside you, the more harm it will do."
Claudia Schultz was also startled. Thinking about what Christina Thorne had been through, she hugged her and started to cry. Christina, however, just stared blankly, as if her spiritual power had been drained in an instant.
"Am I going to die?"
"No." Evelyn Ford’s heart ached a little. ’In a world like this, there are probably many other girls who have suffered the same fate as Christina.’
"Farm Manager, thank you for saving me." After a long while, Christina Thorne managed a faint smile. Evelyn Ford reached out and patted her shoulder.
"Don’t overthink it. Everything will be all right."
"Evelyn, Christina’s body... there won’t be any lasting effects, will there? She’s only nineteen." Claudia Schultz’s eyes were also filled with despair. The thought of Titus Joyce made her wish she could have flayed him alive. At the time, she’d only been focused on stripping him naked. If she’d known then what she knew now, she would have torn him limb from limb.
"It’s hard to say. Let’s just focus on her recovery for now. Don’t let your minds wander, and don’t do anything foolish. You’ve fought so hard to survive. It would be truly stupid to throw it all away over this."
Evelyn Ford left a packet of medicine. "Take this for three days. After that, I’ll help you expel the stillborn fetus."
The wind was biting on the way back. Evelyn Ford hunched her shoulders, afraid of being blown over. She kept her head down and body stooped as she walked. By the time she covered the two-minute distance, a layer of fine snow had settled on her. When she entered the house, Ronan Kendrick was busy in the kitchen. He had recently become obsessed with cooking, and Evelyn’s multiple attempts to ban him from the kitchen had been fruitless.
Evelyn Ford felt her will to live draining away. After all, Ronan Kendrick’s cooking was truly awful.
Evelyn Ford sighed and walked to the kitchen doorway to watch Ronan Kendrick. He was wearing a red sweater today, its sleeves rolled up to reveal his well-defined arms. His white hair was a little fluffy; he had just showered before she left.
"Are you hungry?" Ronan Kendrick glanced back at her.
"What’s for dinner tonight?"
Evelyn Ford hugged his waist and peeked over his shoulder from behind. ’Oh god, what is that black, sludgy thing in the pot?’
"Braised pork belly. How about it?"
Evelyn Ford was silent for a long moment. "Kendrick, you might not have a talent for cooking. When they were programming you, they probably forgot to add the culinary skill module. So, it’s not your fault."
Ronan Kendrick frowned at the braised pork belly in the pot. "Is it that bad?"
"A little."
"Maybe I’m just not trying hard enough."
Evelyn Ford coughed. "Some things can’t be fixed with effort. Just accept reality."
"But don’t they say persistence is victory? As long as I keep practicing, I’ll definitely reach your level one day."
"It’s enough for one person in the house to know how to cook. I suggest you go clean the livestock area in the space."
Ronan Kendrick took Evelyn Ford’s hand and gently nibbled her finger. "You’re not encouraging me at all."
"I’m teaching you to quit while you’re ahead. One more meal cooked by you and I’ll probably get diarrhea." Evelyn Ford rubbed against his back.
Ronan Kendrick rubbed his nose awkwardly, then dumped the braised pork belly. "I was wrong."
"It’s okay. As long as you don’t cook, you’re still perfect." Evelyn Ford reached up and ruffled Ronan Kendrick’s white hair.
After staying cooped up at home for three days, it was time for Evelyn Ford to go treat Christina Thorne. Ronan Kendrick also made a rare trip out to the training room. Outside, the cold wind howled, and Evelyn hugged the hot water bottle in her arms tighter.
After three days of medicine, the color had returned to Christina Thorne’s face. Evelyn Ford examined her, then handed her a black pill.
"It’s going to hurt a lot. It should take effect in about ten minutes. Just pass everything directly into this basin." Evelyn Ford gave both women masks, as the smell would be strong later.
After taking the pill, Christina Thorne clutched her stomach and cried out. She then fell back onto the bed and began to wail. By the time she had expelled the entire stillborn fetus, half an hour had passed. Christina was drained from the pain. The fetus was only the size of a fist, black and already decomposing. The basin was filled with black blood, emitting a foul stench.
"You should stay on bed rest this week. Don’t expose yourself to drafts or touch cold water."
Claudia Schultz asked Evelyn Ford what to do with the stillborn fetus. Evelyn’s brow furrowed. "Burn it."
"Okay."
Over the next few days, Evelyn Ford checked on Christina Thorne several more times. A week later, her body had mostly recovered, and she was able to get out of bed and move around.
"I can’t just lie around and not work. The Farm Manager saved me time and again. I can’t rest with a clear conscience."
Evelyn Ford didn’t force the issue. The farm wasn’t busy right now, but everyone had a job. If she remained idle for too long, it might cause resentment among the others.
The wind had been strong for the past few days. Evelyn Ford made a tour of the farm. The fences weren’t damaged, but there were many new footprints outside. The farm was patrolled daily by people and wolfdogs. Even if someone wanted to get in, they would be discovered immediately.
The vegetables in the greenhouse were growing well, and the livestock area was clean. Officer Graham was in the rabbit hutch. When Evelyn Ford went over, Wendy was helping a doe give birth.
"Miss Ford, what brings you here?"
"I had some free time, so I thought I’d look around. How many did the rabbit have?"
"Seven! They’re so small." For the past few months, Wendy had been studying medicine under Evelyn Ford. Delivering baby animals was already easy for her, something she could even do on her own.
"Your technique is amazing. A true genius."
Wendy grinned. "See? I told you I’m a genius. My dad says I’m not humble at all."
Officer Graham gave a helpless smile. "You’ve barely scratched the surface and you’re already calling yourself a genius. I’m just reminding you not to get arrogant or complacent."
"I’m not! Dad, just listen to Miss Ford. She said I’m a genius. If you don’t believe me, don’t you believe her?"
Evelyn Ford nodded. "That’s right. Our Wendy is a genius."
"Miss Ford, has the temperature dropped again recently? The wind feels so cold these past few days."
"It’s thirty-five degrees below zero now. It has dropped again. This will probably continue for another four or five years."
Officer Graham sighed. "This extreme cold is brutal."
"Tell me about it. Mr. Graham, I just found some footprints outside the western fence. Have the patrol team keep an eye out."
Officer Graham’s expression turned serious. "I’ll go check it out right now."
"There’s no one out there now. I suspect someone was casing the place. Be extra careful for the next few days, especially at night. I haven’t been to the mess hall recently. How’s the food?"
"We get white flour steamed buns once every three days. The rest of the time it’s corn buns and coarse flour buns. We’ve added one meat dish a day, and there are always eggs and vegetables."
Evelyn Ford nodded. "Good."
The farm workers had gotten busy again these past few days. After all, the cabbages and radishes needed to be harvested, the cassava had to be processed into flour, and some sweet potato wine had to be brewed.
"A while back, when Ethan Dawson came over, he mentioned to me that he wanted to trade for some Gold and Silver Flower and hemostatic vine."
There were also two mu of medicinal herbs growing in the greenhouse. Evelyn Ford had put Peter Owens in charge of this plot; she didn’t quite trust the other temporary workers with it.
"He knows we have medicinal herbs on the farm?"
"He didn’t say it outright. He just said he wanted to trade for a few pounds of medicinal herbs."
Evelyn Ford sneered. "That guy really knows how to push his luck. Tell him no deal."
