Karol snorted, the sound dripping with disdain. "Spare me the dramatics, Lilah. Stop pretending you're some innocent victim."

"Fine." Lilah stood up and locked the door from the inside.

She scanned the room, searching for something specific.

Leaving the hospital in a rush, she'd forgotten to bring the toothpicks-a little “interrogation tool" she thought might come in handy.

“What are you looking for?" Karol snapped, her smug facade cracking under the pressure. Lilah was dying. Why was she still acting tough?

Lilah fished out a few toothpicks from a fruit bowl, carefully extracting them from the grapes.

Settling back on the sofa, she crossed her legs and nonchalantly twirled a toothpick between her fingers.

"Karol Morris, an opportunity awaits," Lilah declared. "Tell me where the antidote is."

Karol's response was a peal of mocking laughter. She tossed the covers aside, rising to her full height, and sneered down at Lilah.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, you wretched woman! You're the one who's dying! And let me tell you, it will be a slow, agonizing demise. As for me... Argh!"

Her gloating was cut short by a searing pain that lanced through her right knee. Karol crumpled to the floor, a scream ripping from her throat.

Clutching at her knee, she found a toothpick protruding from the flesh. It wasn't deep, but the agony was excruciating, bringing her close to fainting.

Lilah's hidden weapon had caught her completely off guard.

Panic surged through Karol. She attempted to pull out the toothpick, but the slightest touch ignited a fresh wave of pain.

"Oops," Lilah remarked flippantly as if watching an entertaining show.

"Seems you have more resilience than Farley. ALL that muscle went to waste, though. Quite the screamer, that one."

Fury contorted Karol's face. Lilah's taunts were like gasoline to a fire. Gritting her teeth, she yanked out the toothpick, enduring a fresh wave of agony that brought tears to her eyes. She doubled over, writhing in pain.

"So, should we chat? Or are we done here?" Lilah's voice betrayed a hint of helplessness as she watched Karol huddle on the floor.

"Never! Go to hell!" Karol spat, her voice laced with venom and hatred.

Before she could finish her tirade, another searing pain erupted in her shoulder, sending her crashing back to the floor in a heap.

Lilah's patience was wearing thin. With a decisive snap, she broke the last toothpick in half. “This time," she warned, her voice surprisingly gentle, "it goes deeper. These toothpicks have thorns, you see. Pulling it out will be a nightmare. Think carefully."

Despite Lilah's attempt at reason, stubbornness coursed through Karol.

Groaning in pain, she attempted to crawl toward Danna, but the agony rendered her speechless. She was utterly helpless.

"Why be so difficult, Karol?" Lilah sighed, a hint of weariness tinging her voice. "We have time. Couldn't you have come up with a more.. creative way to get rid of me later?"