Chapter 553 - Cause Of Death (1/2)

”Linda is dead,” Aria announced, and it was Ian and Ivy's turn to stand up in shock.

”What?” Ivy was too mortified to speak further while she waited for Aria to reveal more. ;

”Yes, Stuart called me just now. We need to get going.” Aria mumbled in a hurry, and the three people left towards the ward where Aria and Ian had last talked to the now deceased woman.

”How can Linda die? Didn't you and Ian speak to her just a few moments ago?” Ivy whispered to Aria as they hurried towards the ward. They had to push themselves through the crowd to make their way. A small crowd had accumulated near the ward, making it impossible for anyone to walk by without forcing themselves through, and all the crowd was speaking about was the woman's sudden and unusual death.

Stuart waved at Aria as soon as he saw her while greeted Ivy with a smile.

”What happened, Stuart?” Aria panted lightly as she looked at the ward where the guards were nowhere in sight..

”I am not sure either, Aria. I was on rounds when one of the nurses came running to me. The patient was having trouble breathing and her mouth was swelling as time passed. But by the time I came here...” Stuart just shook his head with his lips pursed and let out a deep sigh.

”What is happening now? Why are you outside?”

”The nurse is preparing for the post mortem. We need to see what caused her death. But according to the symptoms and her body state, I ȧssume it to be a case of anaphylaxis.” Stuart folded his hands and stared hard as the nurses wheeled the now dead woman towards the lab to conduct the post mortem.

Ian's eyes too followed the woman, who was alive and filled with hatred a few minutes ago before he turned to Stuart. ”I need to have a word with you. Would you mind following me?”

”Aria, Ivy.” Ian tilted his head, asking the sisters too to follow them, and the group of four went to his office where there was complete privacy. Ivy made sure to lock the door after her, lest someone should interrupt them in their conversation.

”Stuart, could you repeat the symptoms you found in Linda when you saw her last?” Ian folded his hands while his face scrunched up with a frown.

”Sure. When I reached her ward, the patient was already dead. Her mouth was completely swollen, and there were blisters near her lips and eyes and rashes on her hands. From these severe reactions, I presumed that her to have been suffering from anaphylaxis.” Stuart stopped speaking once he was done and waited for Ian's opinion, while Ivy looked at the three people in confusion.

”What is anaphylaxis?” She did not hesitate to ask even though she knew how odd her question sounded when they were involved in such a serious discussion.

”Umm, anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction. From Stuart's analysis alone, it is evident that Linda had anaphylaxis. She must have consumed something that triggered the reaction.” Aria explained, and Ivy took in her words with a frown.

”Shall I presume that it was a case of intentional poisoning or was it a blunder from the medical staff?” Ivy continued, and Ian's frowned deepened in frustration.

”We cannot say it to be a blunder, Miss West. I had the patient's previous medical reports where all her allergies were stated. We made sure to not give any of the medicines to the patient she is allergic to.” Stuart affirmed, ruling out the possibility of errors completely.

”Someone deliberately poisoned Linda.” Ivy continued. ”Did anyone enter the ward after Ian and Aria did?” She mused, and Stuart shook his head immediately.