Not long after the Australian man left, John's eyes returned to normal, a playful smile tugging at his lips.
Of course he hadn't been affected by the illusion.
That guy was just a dabbler—how could someone like him possibly trap John?
As for the so-called poison pill…
John pressed his throat and casually spat it out.
The pill was completely intact.
The moment it entered his mouth, John had wrapped it with his vital energy, sealing it off completely. It never had a chance to dissolve.
He tossed the pill aside and headed into the Feazer Medical Clinic.
Tracy looked up, surprised. "Little brother, what were you talking about with that Australian man?"
She'd been confused.
After all, they had seemed to be having a good chat outside. The Australian man had even left in a noticeably good mood. She had no idea what her little brother could have said to make that happen.
John gave her a mysterious smile. "Let's get in the car first—I'll explain on the way."
"…Okay."
Tracy had no choice but to curb her curiosity for the moment. She turned to Holbrook and said, "Dr. Davis, you should head home and get some rest. I'll be fine with my little brother."
Holbrook nodded, though he still looked uneasy.
Having John accompany Miss Linch was certainly reassuring—but he couldn't help cautioning, "Miss, I don't think that Australian guy is as harmless as he looks. Keep your distance."
Of course, Holbrook had also seen John chatting and laughing with the man outside. It made him even more suspicious.
"Got it. Don't worry too much."
John smiled, then left the clinic with Tracy.
But instead of heading back to Greenland Villa, he drove east—toward the outskirts of New York.
Tracy didn't question him at first, but when she noticed they weren't going home, she asked, "Little brother, where are we going?"
"The forest in the eastern suburbs."
"…The forest?"
She blinked in surprise, then frowned. "That place is so remote… and it's already getting dark. What are we doing there?"
John glanced at her and said seriously, "When I was teaching at Providence College, I overheard some couples talking about it. They said going into the woods together is thrilling… exciting… romantic. I figured I should give it a try."
Tracy's eyes went wide. "Wait—are you saying… you're taking me into the woods?!"
"That's right."
John didn't even hesitate.
Tracy gave him a long, strange look. "Little brother… do you even know what that means?"
At first, she had assumed this was a normal camping trip or nature walk. But now… the way he said it, so shamelessly, without even blushing—
"Ha-ha…" John just snickered, refusing to answer.
That laugh told her everything.
He definitely knew what it meant!
Tracy's face flushed bright red. "You're the worst! If I tell Big Sister that you tried to flirt with me, she's going to teach you a lesson again!"
Big Sister?
Queenie Yeats?
John chuckled inwardly.
That woman had lost control in front of him countless times. What lesson could she possibly teach him?
Still, for the sake of Queenie's dignity, he decided to let it go. She was a cold goddess on the outside—if her sisters ever found out how she'd behaved in private, she'd never be able to show her face again.
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the edge of the eastern forest.
John parked the car—but instead of getting out, he grabbed a bottle of water, opened it, and poured in some white powder… right in front of Tracy.
She watched with growing confusion. "Little brother… what are you doing?"
"This is knockout powder."
Then he looked up at her and said, "Didn't you ask what that Australian guy and I were talking about earlier? He cast an illusion on me and gave me these drugs. Told me to find a chance to use them on you."
"An illusion?" Tracy repeated in shock.
"Yeah. It's a ninja skill from his country. Anyone caught in it becomes a puppet—completely under the user's control."
Tracy's face paled. "I knew that guy had bad intentions… But—little brother, wait—did you really get caught in the illusion?"
If John had fallen for it, why would he be telling her all this?
But if he hadn't… then why was he drugging a bottle of water right in front of her?
And he even muttered, "Better pour in more—make the effect stronger…"
Tracy stared at him, stunned. She couldn't figure out what he was doing.
Then John smiled and handed her the bottle. "Drink up!"
Tracy looked even more alarmed. She couldn't tell if he was joking—or if he'd really lost his mind.
"Little brother… don't tell me you really were affected by that illusion…"
John slowly leaned toward her, holding the water bottle out like he might force it into her mouth.
Tracy turned pale.
Yep. Second Sister definitely couldn't handle jokes like this.
John sighed inwardly.
If it had been Queenie or Alice, they would've seen through him instantly—and followed up with a flurry of punches to the face.
But Tracy was just too kind. Too simple-minded.
John couldn't bear to keep it up.
He sat back and said gently, "Second Sister, be real—have you ever seen someone drug another person right in front of them?"
Tracy blinked. Then realization dawned.
"You mean… you weren't affected at all?"
"Of course not. I was just messing with you," John said, chuckling. "Besides, even if I was, do you think I'd be that obvious?"
Tracy exhaled in relief. Then her tone turned reproachful: "Is that funny to you?! You scared me half to death. I really thought you'd become that guy's puppet…"
Her words were more concerned than angry.
As the saying went—the more you care, the more you worry.
John felt a twinge of guilt.
Still, he said softly, "Second Sister, get some rest. I'll take care of everything."
He raised a hand, created a talisman with a flick of his fingers, and gently pressed it to Tracy's forehead.
She slumped forward into the seat, fast asleep.