Chapter 19 The Drug and Ploy
Noelle’s POV
The dress was placed gently in my arms. I stared at the beautiful silk fabric for a second before turning around slowly. Jocelyn’s jaw hung open. “What…? How did you-?” She looked at the salesgirl, then at me. “That dress was mine. I paid double.” I smiled faintly. “It’s not always about money.”
She blinked. “What do you mean it’s not about money? I literally paid double for that dress!”
“And yet, here it is,” I said, lifting the hem slightly. “Wrapped up with my name on it.”
Jocelyn scoffed, clearly trying to process it. Her pride couldn’t handle the fact that her
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card hadn’t bought her a win this time.
Then, just like that, her demeanor shifted. Her voice grew soft. Sweet. Dangerous.
“Noelle, come on. Let’s not fight over a dress. We’ve always had our moments, but we’re sisters, right?” She gave a sheepish smile, trying to look innocent.
I raised a brow. “Sisters?” The word burned
on my tongue.
“I mean it,” she insisted, walking closer. “Let me make it up to you. Old times‘ sake? Let’s go for drinks. Just us. No drama.”
I stared at her for a moment. There was a time I would have jumped at that offer, desperate for her affection. That time had died with my brother.
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Still, I smiled. “Sure. Let’s go.”
Jocelyn clapped her hands. “Perfect! My car’s outside. I know just the place.”
As we walked out, I discreetly texted Vernon: Going for drinks with Jocelyn. I don’t trust her. Sharing my location.
****
The bar was high–end, dimly lit, and reeked of old money and desperation.
Jocelyn ordered us two glasses of wine while chatting about the upcoming fashion show.
“You’ve heard about the Royal Fashion Gala, right?” she asked, swirling her glass. “Only the best of the best were invited. And guess what? I got an invite.”
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“Congratulations,” I said flatly.
“Thanks! Actually… I wanted you to come with me. We could go together. As sisters. Just like before.”
I stared at her over the rim of my glass. “There is no ‘before.
“Noelle…” she sighed dramatically. “Why are you always so defensive? I just want us to be close again. You look so different these days, by the way. Did you get work done? You look like a million bucks.”
“You’re full of compliments today.”
“Because I mean it. I missed you.” Jocelyn clinked her glass against mine. “To new beginnings.”
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I took a cautious sip. It tasted fine. But a few minutes later, the room began to blur around the edges.
My hands grew cold. My legs shaky. My stomach churned.
“Jocelyn… what did you-”
I tried to stand, but my knees buckled. My vision swam.
Two men appeared. Big, bulky. Strangers.
Jocelyn stood, brushing invisible lint off her designer dress. “You never learn, do you? Always trusting the wrong people.” “W–What are you…?”
“These fine gentlemen will keep you
company. Don’t worry, they’re professionals. Very thorough.”
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My heart pounded. I tried to scream, but my voice caught in my throat.
“They’ll record it too,” Jocelyn added cruelly, “I want the world to see what a cheap little thing you are.”
The men grabbed my arms. I thrashed, but I was too weak.
Jocelyn leaned down, her breath cold against my ear. “Goodbye, Noelle. Again.”
She left.
Just as the first man reached for my blouse
BANG!
The door burst open.
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“Get your filthy hands off my wife!”
It was Vernon.
Before they could blink, he launched forward. His fist connected with the closest man’s jaw, sending him flying into the wall.
The other man lunged, but Vernon ducked and threw him over his shoulder, slamming him onto the floor.
He kicked the hidden camera, shattering it to pieces.
I slumped back against the couch, still dazed.
Vernon turned to me, breath heavy, fury still radiating off him. “Did she do this to you?”
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nodded slowly.
“That evil-”
“Vernon…” I whispered. “Let her go. I need… I need you here.”
He scooped me into his arms, holding me tightly. I buried my face in his chest.
“You’re burning up,” he said.
“I think she drugged me,” I whispered.
“I’m taking you home. Now.”
Back in his car, I leaned on him as he held a bottle of water to my lips. My entire body was trembling.
“Why did you agree to meet her?” he asked softly.
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“Because I needed proof, I murmured. “I needed her to show her true self. And she did.”
“You could’ve died.”
“But I didn’t. Because you came. Again.”
Vernon cupped my cheek. “You can’t keep putting yourself at risk like this. I won’t survive losing you.”
“I needed this. She tried to destroy me. I needed to let her think she succeeded.”
His arms tightened around me.
“Let’s go home. Please.”
Later that night, Vernon tucked me into bed. He didn’t say a word about what happened,
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but I could see the storm raging in his eyes. He lay beside me, letting me curl into his warmth.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Sleep, my love. I’m not going anywhere.”
And for the first time in a long time, I drifted off to sleep feeling safe.
But in the morning, I would burn everything she ever touched.
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