Chapter 5 - The Switched Glass
The cinematic tension in the grand ballroom spiked to an absolute, suffocating peak.
Ethan didn't wait for her permission. He smoothly, flawlessly reached out and took Vanessa’s champagne flute from her hand, simultaneously pressing his own poisoned glass directly into her fingers.
The glass exchange was so fluid, the cheering guests thought it was incredibly romantic.
But Vanessa completely froze.
Her perfectly contoured face turned the color of wet ash. Her flawless party smile evaporated into pure, unadulterated terror. She stared down at the bubbling champagne glass Ethan had just forced into her hand.
"Drink up, darling," Ethan commanded softly, leaning in close so only she could hear the dark, freezing threat in his voice. "We wouldn't want to ruin the toast in front of all these important people."
Vanessa began to hyperventilate. Her silver gown shook violently.
"I... I can't," Vanessa stammered, her voice shrill and breathless. She tried to hand the glass back to him. "It's bad luck, Ethan. I want my own glass."
"Drink it," Ethan repeated, his dark eyes pitch black, completely devoid of any human mercy.
The wealthy guests slowly began to lower their glasses, noticing the incredibly awkward, terrifying tension radiating from the center of the room. The music faded out.
"Ethan, you're hurting my wrist!" Vanessa shrieked, desperately trying to pull away from his grip. "Someone help me! He's confused! The illness is making him paranoid!"
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Before anyone could step forward to intervene, a small, brave figure marched directly into the center of the ballroom.
👉 Lily stepped into the spotlight, holding a piece of undeniable evidence that would shatter Vanessa’s lies.
