Jacob and Dr. Chen re-entered, Jacob's face ashen.
"The blood work came back," Jacob said quietly. "Heavy metal poisoning. Specifically, thallium. Slow-acting, designed to mimic natural organ failure."
"How long?" Grandpa Henry asked calmly.
Dr. Chen looked uncomfortable. "Without treatment... weeks. Maybe less. With aggressive treatment and if we caught it early enough... you have a fighting chance."
"Then start treatment," Jacob said immediately.
"Already being arranged. But Mr. Cross, you need to understand—whoever did this has been administering poison for at least three months. The damage to his kidneys and liver is significant."
Catherine appeared in the doorway, her face pale. "Three months? But that means—"
"It started before I even arrived," Lily said quietly. "Before I could have done anything."
Everyone turned to look at her.
