CHAPTER 653
Once the seeds of doubt were sown, they grew rampant and would soon spiral out of control.
During the few minutes that Zoey was away, Charles had made numerous conjectures.
Selfishly, he hoped that Benedict’s physical condition was not due to the virus but rather caused by the milk powder which was man-made.
Zoey swiftly returned with the old milk cans she had sorted out.
“Mr. Newton, typically, I make sure to completely use up the milk powder in each can. This half scoop of milk is a combination gathered from several old cans.”
Charles took the scoop and carefully examined the two types of milk powder.
Being unfamiliar with milk powder, Charles couldn’t discern any difference between the two types.
“Tell me about your doubts.”
Zoey pointed to the half-spoon of milk powder she had obtained from the old cans and said, “The milk powder from the old cans appears slightly yellowish, and the granules are finer. But the powder from the new can is white and powdery. Although the powder is very fine, it is not as good as the milk powder from the old cans in terms of richness and fragrance.”
Charles carefully observed once again, taking into account what Zoey had pointed out, and indeed, he noticed a subtle difference between the two milk powders.
He asked, “You think there might be something wrong with the milk powder this time?”
Zoey nodded.
Charles narrowed his eyes. “It’s not just Benny who has consumed this brand of milk powder, but Zendy as well. If the problem lies with this batch of milk powder, it doesn’t make sense that only Benny fell ill since Zendy had been consuming milk powder from the previous batches too.”
Zoey scratched her head. Charles’ words made sense, leaving her feeling perplexed and unsure of what to make of the situation.
Charles located a baby food bag, carefully placed the two types of milk powder into separate compartments, and affixed a sticker to indicate which was the new milk powder and which was the old milk powder.
“Since you have raised this concern, we must determine the source of the issue. I will arrange for it to be sent to a professional organization for a comprehensive investigation and also inform Mr. Jenson and Gwen about this matter.”
He carefully put the baby food bag into his suit pocket.
Just as he was about to turn and leave Harrick Villa, Zoey stopped him. “Ms. Zendy hasn’t had milk yet. Should we continue using the new milk powder that was sent this time?”
“Don’t. Take your time to comfort Zendy first. I’ll go to Mr. Jenson and retrieve two cans of the new milk powder that Benny is consuming at the hospital. It contains mild medication, but it should be fine.”
Zoey nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Newton.” exclusive content.
Charles hummed in response and quickly left the Jenson residence.
He told Cedrick about the milk powder.
Cedrick was known for his prompt actions. Upon receiving the news, he wasted no time and swiftly requested the intervention of the professional testing department at the Federal Bureau of Investigation
to conduct a thorough examination of the ingredients in the two milk powders.
That night, Cedrick got the test result.
At that moment, Gwendolyn, Cedrick, and Charles were sitting in the waiting room at the hospital. Benedict had already drifted off to sleep, and to avoid disturbing his slumber, they had reluctantly stepped out of the ward in search of a peaceful spot to converse.
Nurses diligently stood guard in Benedict’s VIP ward. Police officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation also maintained a vigilant presence outside the door. The child’s safety and well-being were prioritized.
“What is it? Tell me.” Charles’ heart beat even faster when he took in Cedrick’s somber demeanor.
There was a cold glint in Cedrick’s eyes. Although his gaze was not directed specifically at Charles, the chilling aura emanating from him permeated the entire waiting room.
“The test results indicate that there is no issue with the new milk powder. However, it is discovered that the old milk powder contains hormone powder unsuitable for infants and young children. Occasional consumption may not pose a significant problem, but prolonged use can weaken the baby’s immunity, resulting in poor health, and in severe cases, it may even lead to sudden death.”
Charles’ anger surged within him, and he abruptly rose from his seat. He paced back and forth twice, his once composed and striking face now contorted with fury.
“Who would commit such an act? The person must possess a malevolent heart to deliberately target innocent children and subject them to the chronic poison of hormone powder. It’s no wonder Benny’s appetite has been declining, and his spirits have been low.”
Gwendolyn’s expression mirrored her deep concern. Her hands clenched tightly around her skirt, but doubts lingered in her mind. “If there is an issue with the old milk powder, why is it that only Benny has fallen ill while Zendy remains unaffected? Zendy and Benny drink milk together every day.”
Cedrick replied, “Zendy has a stronger constitution and a more robust immune system compared to Benny. It’s possible that due to these factors, Zendy has not yet reached the evident stage of illness.”
Charles pondered the situation carefully and analyzed, “The mastermind behind this must be aware of Benny’s illness and hospitalization, so they attempted to discreetly replace the milk powder with a new, healthy batch, hoping to go unnoticed. If Mdm. Yarde hadn’t been so familiar with the old milk powder and alerted me in time, this matter could have been quietly covered up, and the truth about Benny’s illness and hospitalization would have remained hidden.”
The atmosphere in the waiting room grew so somber and tense that it seemed even a single droplet of water could freeze in the air.
Gwendolyn’s gaze turned sharp. “We must conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. I want to know who would be so malicious as to harm an innocent baby who is merely a few months old.”
All the milk powder in question was from PureVita, and it was imperative to investigate the underlying cause of the incident. Without a doubt, PureVita Group deserved at least part of the blame for this incident.
As it was already nighttime, Cedrick tenderly reached out and caressed his wife’s face, seeking to calm her fiery emotions.
“Stay low and avoid alerting the enemy. I will assign someone to conduct the investigation discreetly and ensure that it is pursued to the fullest extent. Gwenny, you have been watching over Benny
tirelessly without getting a wink of sleep. You should go and rest next to Benny and leave the other matters to me.”
“Gwen, you appear pale probably because you’ve been excessively worried about Benny. But don’t worry. Your man is the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Ever since Asher stepped down, his power has become almost limitless. He will certainly uncover the identity of the culprit,” Charles chimed in, echoing Cedrick’s sentiments.
Gwendolyn and Cedrick were a little surprised by Charles’ words.
After casting a glance at both men, Gwendolyn gave a few instructions before making her way back to the ward to continue her vigilant watch over Benedict.
Soon, only Charles and Cedrick were left in the waiting room.
The air remained quiet for a prolonged moment. Cedrick smiled and said, “With the way you spoke just now, I almost thought Gwenny’s man was you.”
“I just praised you in front of Gwen. Aren’t you happy about that?”
Cedrick didn’t mince his words and said candidly, “I must admit, it does feel a bit odd because you just stole the words right out of my mouth.”
The two men locked eyes, their gazes sharp but devoid of hostility. Then they broke into smiles.
They had gone from the initial stage of unfamiliarity to the development of deep-seated hatred, treating each other as mortal enemies and even resorting to schemes against one another. However, in an unexpected turn of events, their shared affection for the same woman compelled them to reluctantly reconcile.
A year later, when they crossed paths once again, the alignment of their interests compelled them to become partners.
And now, Charles was already the godfather of Cedrick’s two babies.
The animosity of the past had faded away in their eyes. There was no trace of the hatred that had once consumed them.
Cedrick slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and carried himself with a dignified demeanor. “Thank you for your assistance today. If you’re tired, you can go back to the Newton residence and get some rest. But you don’t look sleepy to me. You seem quite excited.”
Charles raised an eyebrow, his captivating blue eyes displaying a hint of laziness. “You’re right. I’m not sleepy. With what happened to Benny, even if I were to go home tonight, I doubt I’d be able to sleep.”
Cedrick’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Would you be interested in joining me for an overnight investigation at the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the milk powder case? You can be my assistant.”
Charles was momentarily taken aback, but he soon responded with a gentle smile, “Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Jenson. I would be honored to join you.”