The shocking poisoning of Ned Quartermaine has rocked the town to its core, and after weeks of speculation, the truth behind who tried to kill him is finally coming to light.

A Shocking Collapse That Shattered Port Charles

What began as a routine argument between two powerful men quickly spiraled into tragedy. Outside of Bobbie’s, Ned Quartermaine confronted Drew Cain about a bitter dispute

over the Quartermaine family heirlooms. Drew, in a bold and calculated move, had redirected several priceless boxes from the family mansion to his own house, sparking Ned’s fury.

“You think you can just take what’s mine?” Ned shouted, his temper flaring as Drew stood unmoved. Drew’s smirk only added fuel to the fire. “They’re just things, Ned. But watching you lose your cool? That’s priceless.”

Moments later, the confrontation took a horrifying turn. Ned suddenly gasped for air, clutching his chest as he collapsed onto the pavement. Drew, assuming Ned was faking one of his trademark Quartermaine dramatics, simply walked away — unaware that Ned was actually dying before his eyes.

A Mysterious Medical Emergency

Emma Scorpio-Drake and Giovanni Palmieri stumbled upon the unconscious Ned just minutes later. They rushed to call for help, and within moments, Ned was rushed to General Hospital. Doctors initially believed he had suffered a severe heart attack, and his wife Olivia was devastated, holding his hand as the machines beeped rhythmically beside him.

For the Quartermaines, this was heartbreak revisited. The recent passing of matriarch Monica had already left them raw, and now another member of their family lay at death’s door.

However, not everyone in the hospital was convinced by the heart attack theory. Dr. Portia Robinson, known for her sharp instincts, decided to dig deeper — and her decision would change everything.

The Poisoning Revelation

When the toxicology report returned, the room fell silent. “This wasn’t a heart attack,” Portia announced gravely. “Ned was poisoned.”

The results revealed a rare compound designed to mimic the symptoms of cardiac arrest. The poison had been ingested earlier that day, likely in something he ate at Bobbie’s. The realization sent shockwaves through the hospital corridors and across Port Charles — someone had intentionally tried to murder Ned Quartermaine.

Olivia broke down in tears. “Who would do this? Who would want to hurt him like this?” she sobbed.

And while no one had an immediate answer, every eye slowly turned toward one name — Drew Cain. He had argued with Ned just before the collapse, and his callous decision to walk away made him look like the prime suspect.

A Crime Investigation Begins

Within hours, the Port Charles Police Department declared the case an attempted murder. Detective Dante Falconeri took charge of the investigation, piecing together Ned’s final moments. Evidence showed that Ned had eaten at Bobbie’s café earlier that day, right before the confrontation with Drew. Witnesses confirmed the heated argument, and Drew’s sudden departure painted an incriminating picture.

When Dante confronted Drew at the police station, the tension was palpable. “You were the last person to see Ned before he collapsed,” Dante stated firmly. “Now we know he was poisoned. Care to explain?”

Drew’s composure faltered, but he denied any wrongdoing. “Yes, we fought — I won’t deny that. But I didn’t poison him. Someone’s setting me up, and you know it.”

The Innocent Man in the Wrong Place

As the investigation deepened, more evidence surfaced — and it started to cast doubt on Drew’s guilt. Security footage showed Drew hadn’t gone near Ned’s food or drink. Witnesses recalled seeing another figure near Ned’s table, someone trying hard not to be noticed. Could this shadowy presence hold the key to the mystery?

Meanwhile, back at the Quartermaine mansion, the family was in turmoil. Tracy Quartermaine’s calculating mind raced with suspicion. “Someone wants this family destroyed,” she hissed. Olivia sat by Ned’s bedside, her hand gripping his as she whispered, “Please fight, Ned. Please come back to me.”

Dr. Robinson warned that the next 48 hours would determine Ned’s fate — the poison was vicious, attacking his system rapidly. Every breath he took felt like a fragile victory.

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The Real Poisoner Revealed

When new lab results arrived, Dante discovered a shocking twist — the poison used on Ned was identical to a compound once handled by Valentin Cassadine’s pharmaceutical division, ELQ’s most controversial business partner. Dante traced the delivery of rare ingredients to a single person: Tracy Quartermaine herself.

Tracy’s motives were darker than anyone could have imagined. Determined to regain control over ELQ and furious with Ned for allying with Drew, she had orchestrated a plan to “scare” him into compliance — but the dosage she arranged through a corrupt associate turned deadly.

When confronted, Tracy’s mask cracked. “It wasn’t supposed to go this far,” she whispered, trembling. “He wasn’t supposed to die. I just wanted him to step down.”

Her confession stunned the entire Quartermaine clan. The matriarch who once held the family together had nearly destroyed it.

Port Charles in Shock

As news of Tracy’s betrayal spread, the town erupted. Olivia’s heartbreak turned to fury, while Brook Lynn refused to believe her grandmother could be capable of such cruelty. Drew, cleared of suspicion, was left shaken by how close he came to being wrongly imprisoned.

At General Hospital, Ned’s condition slowly improved. When he finally opened his eyes, Olivia was there — tears streaming down her face. “You’re safe now,” she whispered. “It’s over.” But as Ned blinked weakly, one question lingered on his lips: “Who did this to me?”

Olivia hesitated, knowing the answer would break him all over again.

What’s Next for the Quartermaines?

With Tracy’s fate uncertain — facing possible prison time and public disgrace — the Quartermaines stand at a crossroads. Can Ned ever forgive his mother for nearly killing him? Can Olivia rebuild the shattered family? And what new alliances will form in the aftermath of this betrayal?

Meanwhile, Port Charles isn’t getting any calmer. Dante’s discovery of the poison’s Cassadine origins hints at a larger conspiracy — one that could tie into a network of revenge plots stretching far beyond the Quartermaine mansion.

As secrets unravel, General Hospital promises more twists, heartbreaks, and shocking revelations ahead. For now, one thing is clear: no one in Port Charles is truly safe, and the Quartermaines’ legacy will never be the same again.