With the electric fence now in place, Elias is unable to visit, and Lila becomes isolated and sad once more.
A few nights later, Celeste and Dr. Evans meet in secret. They reveal their wicked plot: they are having a secret affair and plan to murder Lila slowly using poison disguised as her daily “vitamins.” Dr. Evans explains that he has been falsifying Lila’s medical reports to make Mr. Sterling believe her anemia is naturally worsening. Once Lila dies, Mr. Sterling will be devastated and vulnerable, allowing Celeste to take control of his immense fortune before she and Dr. Evans run away together. They agree to significantly increase the dosage to put Lila into a coma within days.
Unbeknownst to them, Elias has managed to circumvent the electric fence using a tall, carefully-climbed tree. He overhears their entire sinister conversation from his hiding place outside the study window. His blood runs cold. He realizes the people trusted most by Lila and her father are actively trying to kill her.
