Chapter 5
When I reappeared at the gala, every eye in the room turned to me.
“Damn, Claire looks… incredible.”
That body is insane!”
Is the dress supposed to look like that? It’s like some badass action hero vibe…
Ethan had been chatting with guests, but when he heard the whispers, he looked over and his expression darkened immediately.
Victoria’s smile froze on her face as her hands clenched into fists.
She hurried over. “Claire, why did you alter the dress like
“I couldn’t wear it any other way.” I said calmly. I work for Markond Corporation. I have to think about the company’s image.”
Victoria’s face went ugly, but she couldn’t make a scene. She just wragged her arm around Ethan’s ‘Reby, let’s go make our rounds.”
Ethan frowned: “You can’t drink”
“That’s what Claire’s here for, right? the can drink for me *
Ethan hesitated.
I froze too.
Everyone in our circle knew I was allergic to arabol with tham gronecting me, even though I was just an assistant, nobody had
dared make me drink for years
But now, with Victoria’s casual suggestion, Dan andy paused at or arcond before agreeing
He glanced at me with that cool look “Keep up”
After that, Victoria seemed to do it on purpose, dr
“Claire, you’ll take this one for me, right?”
ng Ethan from table to table. With every toast, she’d smile sweetly at me.
I drank glass after glass as my throat burned so badly I couldn’t taste anything anymore-pat the metallic taste of blood creeping up.
My stomach was churning violently. I finally couldn’t take it anymore and rushed to the bathroom, throwing up until I was seeing
stars. By the end, I was coughing up blood.
I gripped the sink, looking at my pale reflection in the mirror. Before I could even catch my breath, Victoria’s call came through
Claire, where are you? Ethan’s uncles are waiting to toast us.”
I just swallowed some allergy pills and forced myself back to the party.
By the time the gala ended, I could barely stand. And Victoria was dramatically leaning against Ethan’s shoulder. “Baby, I’m so tired…”
Ethan stroked her hair, his voice indulgent. “Go wait in the car. I’ll wrap up with the guests and be right there.”
I silently held onto the wall, watching their shameless display of affection as another wave of nausea hit me.
Chapter 3
Victoria put her arm around my shoulders with a bright smile: “Claire, let’s head out together.”
I had no choice but to let her lead me to the elevator.
But the moment we got inside and she saw we were alone, her whole demeanor changed
SLAP!
She backhanded me across the face, her eyes vicious “Bitch, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?! Trying to upstage me with that slutty outfit!”
I raised my hand and slapped her right back without hesitation
“Wasn’t it your idea to switch?
Victoria clutched her cheek in disbelief. Tou hit me? Do you know who you are? You’re nothing but than’s kept woman!”
“I’m off the clock right now,” I said coldly. “Girlfriend or not you don’t get to assault me
Victoria was shaking with rage and about to say more when the elewano denly CRASHED and the lights went out!
“AHHH!” Victoria screamed, frantically grabbing my arm in the darkness “What’s happening”
I fought down my claustrophobia and quickly hit the emergency Sun, but only static came through the intercom.
Victoria immediately pulled out her phone and called Ethan, her entice instantly uning panicked and helpless. “Ethan…. the elevator broke down… please save me…
I pressed myself into the corner, my breathing getting more labored. The enclosed space and thin air were making me dizzy.
After what felt like forever, I finally heard footsteps and Dan’s scare from oude “Victoria Claire! Can you hear me?”
Victoria immediately started crying ‘Dhan’ Save me
A maintenance worker’s voice came through the elevator door “Mr. Blackwood, the cables are damaged and could snap at any moment. We can only rescue one person at a time. Who do you want to save fir
I heard Ethan’s answer without a moment’s hesitation “Get Victoria our first
C
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.
