Chapter 6 - The Lethal Espresso
The cinematic tension in the grand dining room spiked to a paralyzing, breathless peak.
Victoria physically froze. Her perfectly manicured hand hovered over the white linen tablecloth. All the color violently drained from her flawless face, leaving her looking like a ghost in a silk gown.
"What?" Victoria laughed nervously, her voice shrill and echoing off the crystal chandeliers. "Don't be silly, Adrian. I don't drink dark espresso. It gives me terrible heartburn."
Adrian didn't blink. He didn't raise his voice. He simply pushed the small porcelain cup back across the mahogany table until it rested directly in front of her.
"Drink it, Victoria," Adrian commanded. The absolute, undeniable authority of an executioner vibrated in every single syllable.
Marcus uncrossed his arms in the corner of the room, his hand subtly drifting toward his holstered weapon.
"Adrian, you're scaring me," Victoria whimpered, completely abandoning her elegant, confident persona. She pressed her back against her chair, refusing to touch the porcelain cup. "Why are you acting like this? Did I do something wrong?"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Adrian stated coldly, pulling the tiny glass vial from his suit pocket and placing it heavily onto the table. "Except drop your spare cardiac paralytic on the study floor."
Victoria let out a high-pitched, horrified gasp. Her eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated terror as she stared at the glass vial.
She immediately looked toward Marcus for help, entirely confirming her catastrophic guilt.
"It's a setup!" Victoria shrieked like a feral animal, pushing her chair back violently. "The maid planted it! Claire is trying to frame me because she wants your money!"
May you like
Before she could even finish her pathetic lie, Marcus made his move.
👉 Marcus drew his weapon to assassinate the billionaire, completely unaware that he was stepping into a bloodbath.
