Chapter 12
Victor took a small sip from his glass of wine, his expression unreadable. “Mr. Watson, I heard you’re developing a new project. Any chance we might collaborate?”
“If I could partner with Powell Group, I’m sure it’d be a win–win,” Marco answered, though his sleazy gaze slid toward Serena with a look that made his intentions all too clear.
Just then, Victor’s phone buzzed. Marco’s stare made Serena deeply uncomfortable. She shifted uncomfortably, taking a small step to the side, trying to escape that disgusting gaze. But her eyes couldn’t help drifting to Victor’s phone screen.
“Hello?” Victor answered the call.
Serena knew it was Eliza on the other end. Whatever Eliza said, Victor’s expression changed instantly.
“I’ll be right there.” He hung up and turned to leave.
Serena grabbed Victor’s arm, her face tense. “Victor, this partnership with Mr. Watson is important.”
“Ellie’s not feeling well. I need to check on her. And you’re still here, aren’t you?” Victor didn’t spare Serena a glance as he turned and walked out of the party venue without looking back.
Marco stood awkwardly to the side and cleared his throat. “Mrs. Powell, Mr. Powell just-”
Serena looked away, forcing her emotions down. “I’m sorry, Mr. Watson. My husband got an urgent matter to attend to.”
The stares around her felt like needles against her skin. Whispered voices buzzed from every corner.
Someone said, “Is that Mrs. Powell? I heard Mr. Powell doesn’t even care about her. He only brought her to please his father.”
Another chimed in, “No kidding. Did you see how gentle he was with Eliza? I heard they grew up together.”
Someone else sighed, “Being a rich man’s wife isn’t as glamorous as it looks. What’s the point of being beautiful if it gets her nowhere?”
The venue was full of luxury and laughter, but Serena felt like the air was thinning, and it was getting harder to breathe.
She instinctively clasped her hands in front of her, her fingertips gently rubbing against each other, trying to calm her nerves.
Serena thought, ‘To them, I’m probably nothing more than a pathetic woman abandoned by her husband.
She figured that since Victor had left, there was no way the collaboration could go on. Swallowing the frustration, Serena turned and left the party venue.
She had meant to get some air in the garden, but Marco followed close behind, refusing to let it go. “Mr. Powell’s not around. Mrs. Powell, how about having a drink with me instead?” he offered.
As Marco spoke, he picked up the wine bottle, reaching to pour Serena a glass.
Serena subtly shifted away. “Mr. Watson, I can’t really hold my liquor, so I’ll have to pass.”
“Come on, Mrs. Powell, don’t turn me down like that. Just one glass,” Marco insisted.
Serena’s brows drew together. If she refused, Marco clearly wouldn’t let it go easily.
Pushing down her disgust, she forced herself to reach for the glass, her slender fingers trembling slightly. The clear liquid swirled gently in the glass, catching the strained smile on her face in its reflection.
For the sake of this deal, Serena had no choice but to endure all this. She thought, ‘Just this once. I’ll count it as paying back the Powell family.
1/2
35%
Chapter 12
Tilting her head, she took a small sip. The liquor burned going down. She fought to keep her expression steady, but her pale fingertips gave away her pain.
“That’s more like it, Mrs. Powell. You’ve got quite the tolerance,” Marco chuckled.
The people around them burst into laughter, their eyes flickering with something off
Before long, Serena’s vision began to blur. She felt like the noise around her faded behind a thick haze.
Her heart sank as she thought, ‘Something’s wrong with this drink. He drugged it.
“Mrs. Powell, are you okay? Not feeling well? Want me to take you to a room to rest?” Marco asked.
At some point, he had already moved in close. His breath, thick with the smell of alcohol, hit her from the side, making her stomach turn..
Serena shoved him hard, but he caught her wrist. “Don’t be scared, Mrs. Powell. I’ll take good care of you, better than Mr. Powell ever did,” he said with a sleazy grin.
“Piss off. Don’t touch me.” Serena struggled hard, stomping down on Marco’s foot with all her strength.
“Ow!” Marco yelped in pain and instinctively let go.
‘Victor. Victor,‘ Serena screamed that name over and over in her mind.
She staggered to her feet, took a few shaky steps forward, and used the last of her strength to call Victor. The call was cut off. All she heard was the busy
tone.
Marco sneered, “Mrs. Powell, Mr. Powell doesn’t want you anymore. You might as well come with me. Let me take good care of you.”
In that moment, Serena felt completely numb, as if all hope had drained from her. Before she could react, Marco lunged at her.
AD
