chapter 17 A piece of information brought back Mabel Flores’s memories ===

"Ulric, are you okay?" When they drove away, Wilma, worried about Ulric's safety, hurried over.
"Sis Wilma, I'm fine!"
"I was so worried just now! Who are those people? Why were they targeting you?"
Ulric smiled bitterly. "Who else could it be? It's probably that Griffin."
"Him? I haven't had a chance to confront him, and he's already making moves." Wilma was secretly angry. "No, I have to talk to him and find out what's going on."
"Sis Wilma, you don't need to worry about our affairs. Just help me set up a meeting with him, and I'll talk to him."
"But he's not as simple as you think."
"Don't worry about me. If he wants to deal with me, it won't be that easy."
"Alright then, I'll contact him tomorrow night!"
"Okay!"
Ulric escorted her back to Dun Residence and then returned to Bloomfield Boulevard.
Seeing him return, Mabel, lazy to inquire, made herself something to eat and started watching TV.
Ulric didn't want to provoke her mood further, so he silently went back to his room, much to Mabel's cold displeasure.
If it weren't for Wilma, Mabel would never have kept him around this long. Grandpa even said to build their relationship by living together, but with someone like Ulric, even if they lived together for a hundred years, it would be useless.
She wondered what Grandpa saw in him to insist on marrying him off. Even if they got married, what would happen next? Without any feelings, they wouldn't even be able to hold a conversation. How would their married life be?
Mabel was quite troubled by Ulric. But she couldn't refuse because of Wilma's appearance; she had to endure their current situation.
Ring! Ring
Just when she felt helpless, a message came through on her phone. She opened it and was stunned for a moment. After a while, she became flustered and restless.
"Mabel, I've returned to the country. Can we meet?"
With just a few words, their relationship was laid bare. Mabel was filled with emotion, her hands trembling.
She wanted to reply, but she resisted the urge and stopped herself.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling okay?"
Ulric happened to come out at that moment, and seeing her in this state, he asked with concern.
The sudden question startled Mabel, and her hand trembled, dropping the phone to the floor.
"What's going on?" Ulric was puzzled. She wasn't usually like this, and today she seemed especially strange.
Mabel quickly picked up her phone, stuttering, "Nothing, nothing's wrong. What are you doing out here?"
"Oh, I'm hungry and wanted to make something to eat. Do you want anything?"
"No, I'm fine. You go ahead and eat."
Mabel looked flustered, tightly gripping her phone as she returned to her room. Ulric couldn't understand this scene and didn't bother to ask. He went into the kitchen to prepare food to satisfy his hunger.
Meanwhile, Mabel leaned against the door, her mind in turmoil. She didn't know whether she should reply to him. She wanted to, but her pride wouldn't allow it. Not replying, however, left her feeling torn inside...
After so many years apart, she had long forgotten his appearance, but now, with just one message, her memories were awakened. Mabel didn't know what to do.
She was already engaged now. Did she want to go against Grandpa's wishes and her unrelated betrothal to Ulric for him?
But this choice left her uncertain whether it was right or wrong.
The next day, she went to the company early, while Ulric was researching issues related to venom. Although he hadn't made any breakthroughs, he was persistent, and fortunately, his efforts paid off. He came up with a method to force out the hexworm. Whether it would succeed or not depended on Flynn's life.
Ulric specifically chose to administer the treatment at three in the afternoon. This was the time when the venom usually flared up, and Ulric wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to try and force out the hexworm.
Although this was a good thing, Wilma was extremely nervous. She feared that if this attempt failed, Flynn would truly be beyond saving.
"Sis Wilma, don't be so nervous. This time it should work."
"Really? If that's the case, that's great."
Seeing his granddaughter so worried, Flynn also comforted her, "My dear, you must believe in Ulric. I've lived my whole life, and seen it all. Even if things go wrong, it's my fate. Just relax."
"Grandpa, how about we wait for my dad to come back before we proceed?"
"No need, having you here as a witness is enough. If anything happens, no one from the Dun Family can hold Ulric responsible. Do you understand that clearly?"
Wilma glanced at Ulric and finally nodded. "Grandpa, I understand."
"Good, Ulric, go ahead!"
Ulric nodded in acknowledgment and instructed Flynn to take off his shirt. Just as he was about to start using the golden needle, cries rang out from the courtyard.
"Father, Father…"
Hearing the voices, Wilma immediately realized and exclaimed, "It's Uncle Alistair, Grandpa! Uncle Alistair is back."
Before Flynn could respond, a middle-aged man hurriedly entered the house. It was none other than Wilma's second uncle, Alistair Dun.
"Uncle Alistair…"
"Wilma, what's going on with your grandfather?" Alistair asked loudly as soon as he entered, his gaze falling on Ulric beside Flynn. "And who is this young man?"
Wilma was about to speak when Flynn rebuked, "What's all this noise? I'm not dead yet!"
"Father, what… what's happening? Why did Lennox say that you…"
"What did he say? Did he say I'm about to kick the bucket?"
Alistair nodded absentmindedly, then approached, asking, "So you're okay after all? What's going on, Lennox? Why did he…"
"What's going on with me? You can leave if you're going to blabber on like this!"
"Father, I'm just worried about you. By the way, who's this kid?"
"Uncle Alistair, he's my friend Ulric. He's helping Grandpa with his illness. It's perfect timing that you're back; we can all assist."
"He's treating your grandfather?" Alistair was puzzled. "But isn't your grandfather perfectly fine? What's there to treat?"
Wilma wanted to explain the truth, but Flynn interrupted, "Are you done? Alistair, if you keep blabbering, just leave."
Flynn's outburst made Alistair purse his lips, but he didn't dare to speak further.
"Ulric, let's get started!"
Ulric looked at Wilma and Alistair, then began the treatment.
As he held the golden needle and pierced Flynn's back, stimulating his meridians, cries of pain gradually emanated from Flynn.
Alistair whispered to Wilma, "Wilma, what's going on with your grandfather? What's happening here? Talk to Uncle Alistair."
Wilma looked worried, but at this point, she couldn't spare the attention to explain to him. She was most concerned about the outcome.
If Ulric succeeded this time, everyone would rejoice. But if he failed, this might be the last time they would see Grandpa.
At this moment, Ulric continued to manipulate the golden needle, stimulating Flynn's meridians along his back, up to the crown of his head, and then back down again. With each movement, Flynn's discomfort became more apparent.
Ulric didn't give up. With force, he pierced the needle again, and Flynn groaned, spewing out another mouthful of black blood. Alistair was shocked and shouted, "Father…"
"Uncle Alistair, don't go over there. The blood is poisonous…"
Alistair turned to Wilma, asking, "Poisonous? What's going on? Why is your grandfather vomiting black blood?"
Wilma didn't want to say, but she had no reason to hide it from Alistair. She explained, "Uncle Alistair, the black blood Grandpa is vomiting contains the toxins of the hexworm, with many larvae inside."
Alistair found it hard to believe, but Wilma wasn't one to lie. He looked at Flynn, writhing in pain, and asked through gritted teeth, "How could there be larvae? How could there be larvae when he was perfectly fine?"