Chapter6
He was the first to react, shouting frantically, “Turn it off! Stop the video! Shut it down, now!”
The footage cut abruptly–but the damage was already done.
The party hall was dead silent.
Everyone’s eyes shifted between Micah and Addie, their expressions a mixture of shock, disgust, and barely concealed glee.
And Liza–still standing center stage–was frozen, humiliated, a joke in a designer dress.
The proposal she’d waited so lo Purchase completed vaporated before her eyes.
She trembled with rage, tears spilling down her cheeks.
But Eldon didn’t so much as glance her way.
His eyes were still fixed on someone in the crowd.
Following his gaze, Liza turned–and saw Mona. Dressed plainly, standing quietly, looking completely unbothered.
‘Why is he looking at her? Could it be… he still has feelings for Mona?” she thought.
Just the thought sent a chill through Liza’s spine–and then a flash of murderous rage.
Getting Mona kicked out of the Morse family wasn’t enough.
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As long as she was alive, she’d be a threat.
Only when Mona was dead would Eldon truly belong to her.
After several long, painful seconds of silence, it was Addie who finally broke.
She exploded with rage, storming toward Micah and screaming at the top of her lungs, “How dare you cheat on me! You disgusting, filthy bastard!”
She slapped him across the face, again and again, her hands shaking with fury.
At first, he let her hit him.
Then, fed up, he snapped–and shoved her hard, sending her sprawling across the floor.
“You crazy witch,” he growled. “If I wanted to cheat, it’s only because I was sick of seeing your face.”
Addie sprang to her feet like a madwoman. “You shameless old bastard! I’ll kill you!”
The once–graceful Addie–who had spent her entire life upholding
appearances–was now reduced to a furious mess, clawing and shrieking as she lunged at Micah.
Her voice cracked from screaming, her sobs raw and uncontrolled. She cried out everything she had endured over the years–raising his children, keeping the household together, sacrificing her youth, her pride. all for this betrayal.
The guests, who had been standing around watching the spectacle like at soap opera, finally snapped out of it. A few rushed forward to break up the fight, quickly pulling the couple apart.
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The show was over. No more chaos, no more drama worth watching.
Mona turned and quietly left the party hall.
She didn’t know why, but her whole body felt like it was overheating. Even out in the hallway, the oppressive heat didn’t let up. Her forehead and back were drenched in sweat.
She headed straight to the restroom and splashed cold water on her face, hoping it would help.
But when she looked in the mirror, she froze.
Her cheeks were burning red, her skin flushed as if she had a high fever. Her breathing was shallow, her heart racing. A strange warmth pulsed through her limbs, and a gnawing restlessness stirred under her skin.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Then the realization hit her like a slap.
The sugar water.
The one Natalie had handed her so sweetly, so casually.
She’d been drugged.
Mona let out a bitter laugh, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Natalie had looked so warm, so harmless. And she’d let her guard down, just like
that.
Three years in prison, and she still hadn’t learned–trust came at a price.
But now wasn’t the time for guilt or reflection. She had to get out. Fast.
She staggered into the hallway, heading toward the elevators.
10:44
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At first, she tried to stay calm, walking quickly–but as her blood. circulated faster, the drug took hold even harder. Her legs began to tremble, her skin itched with heat, her vision blurred.
Her mind screamed one thing. Don’t collapse. Don’t give in. Don’t let them win.”
She gritted her teeth and made it to the elevator, slamming the button
over and over.
Ding.
The doors slid open.
Inside stood a man–tall, lean, and vaguely familiar. She couldn’t quite place him, but something in her gut said he wasn’t part of Liza’s crowd. He felt… safe.
She stumbled forward, struggling to speak. “Sir… I’ve been drugged… please help me.”
Her voice was soft, shaky–like silk soaked in desperation. It slipped past her lips without meaning to, laced with something unintentionally seductive, like a cry that burrowed its way straight under the skin.
The man didn’t say a word. His entire body radiated an icy, untouchable. aura. Cold. Distant. Unapproachable.
Mona panicked. She stepped forward again–only for her knees to give out.
She collapsed straight into his chest.
His body was cool to the touch, like a breeze in midsummer. It was the first bit of relief from the burning heat ravaging her body.
Her thoughts were spinning, but one instinct remained: stay close to him.
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She wrapped herself around him, arms and legs clinging tight. Her lips. brushed against his throat–then pressed in a kiss.
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