The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella) novel Chapter 504

The group made their way into the guest room.

Johnny strode over to the bed where a man, still immersed in work, sat propped up against the pillows. With respectful concern in his voice, Johnny said, "Sir, you really need to take it easy."

While speaking, Johnny tidied up the files that were spread over the man's legs, placing them neatly, face down, on the nightstand.

Owen leaned against the headboard, his cheeks gaunt and his complexion pallid. His whole frame was skeletal. His face, shoulders, neck, and hands resting atop the comforter were alarmingly thin.

Bringing up the rear, Mirabella couldn't help but startle slightly at the sight of Owen's emaciated form. He couldn't have been more than in his thirties, but he bore the withered look of a man in his twilight years.

On the way here, Nikolai had briefed her about the man's peculiar condition. An inexplicable wasting away, with no detectable medical reason—it was as if his vitality had been abruptly drained, propelling him into a state of exhaustion. Well, Owen's current state seemed scarcely different from outright depletion.

Owen sensed a scrutinizing gaze and looked up. By then, Mirabella had averted her eyes. He glanced at her briefly before addressing Johnny, who was still fussing with the paperwork. "It's fine. I'll get through as much as I can while I still have the energy."

Johnny mustered a smile, plucked the pen from Owen's fingers, and insisted, "Your health is what's important. Everything else can wait."

He paused and then gestured toward Dane, who had approached the bedside. "Mr. Dane is back. There's hope for your illness now."

Despite his frailty, Owen exuded the commanding presence of a man accustomed to authority. His gaze settled on Dane, and with a polite but weary motion of his dry lips, he murmured, "I appreciate this."

Dane was well aware of Owen's stature as the top executive of Ashford, a man beyond the reach of ordinary citizens, soon to be a significant figure in Riverdale. Even a member of the Pharmacists’ Guild like Dane had to show deference.