Chapter 2

Serena arrived quickly, thoughtfully bringing a bottle of her favorite expensive red wine.

The moment she stepped in, she threw her arms around me in a tight hug, though her eyes couldn't stop darting toward my bedroom.

"Did you get the ring? Show me, show me!"

I pretended to blush, walking into my room to fetch the jewelry box and opening it in front of her.

Seeing the heavy diamond ring, Serena’s eyes lit up instantly. Pure, raw envy flashed through her gaze before she could mask it.

"Wow, Chloe, this must have cost a fortune! Ethan really went all out!"

I smiled softly. "He didn't buy it. I saved up for months to get this. I wanted to surprise him."

Serena’s expression instantly shifted from envy to utter contempt. But she covered it quickly with a fake, sweet smile.

"Aw, you’re just too good to him. But it’s fine, once you guys are married, he’ll definitely treat you like a queen."

As she spoke, she eagerly poured the wine into two glasses.

"Come on, let’s have a toast. To your successful proposal!"

I stared at the swirling red liquid in the glass, a dark glint in my eyes.

Loki’s voice cut in right on cue: [Don't drink that! She slipped sleeping pills in your glass!]

[That toxic bitch wants to knock you out so the scumbag can come over, steal the ring, and kidnap you!]

My heart went cold, but my face remained perfectly calm. I took the glass, smiling warmly. "Thank you, Serena. Honestly, having a friend like you is the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Cheers!"

I raised my glass. Just as our glasses clinked, my wrist "accidentally" slipped, spilling the red wine all over her white designer dress.

"Oh my god!" Serena shrieked, jumping up. "My dress! This is brand new!"

I grabbed some tissues, looking incredibly guilty as I tried to dab at the stain. "I am so, so sorry! I got too excited! Quick, go to the bathroom and rinse it before it sets!"

Though furious, Serena could only glare at me before rushing down the hallway to the bathroom.

The second she shut the door, I dumped my spiked wine into the potted plant next to the couch, pulled out an identical bottle of red wine from my cabinet, and refilled my glass.

Just as I finished, Serena walked out of the bathroom.

She had changed into one of my spare silk robes. Seeing my full glass, her eyes flickered.

"Chloe, you haven't drunk yours yet?"

I raised my glass, blinking innocently. "I was waiting for you."

With that, I downed it in one go.

Seeing me swallow the wine, Serena finally let out a sigh of relief. A smug, victorious smile crept onto her face as she took a small, polite sip of her own glass.

For the next ten minutes, she kept talking, babbling about random things, clearly waiting for the drug to kick in.

I pretended to listen intently, mentally counting down the seconds.

Loki yawned at my feet: [So boring. This chick talks too much.]

[Wait, oh my god, is she slurring her words already?]

I looked up. Serena’s eyelids were drooping, and her voice was growing thick and mumbled.

I asked with "deep concern," "Serena? Are you okay? You look really tired."

"I... I’m fine..." she muttered, trying to shake her head. "Just... suddenly so sleepy..."

Before she could finish the sentence, her head slumped forward, face-planting onto the table as she passed out cold.

I cold-smiled, walking over to shake her shoulder. No response.

Perfect. The dosage was heavy enough.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Ethan’s number.

It rang for a long time before he finally picked up, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Yeah? What do you want?"

In the background, I could hear the faint, muffled giggle of a woman.

Suppressing my disgust, I let out a trembling sob. "Ethan... please come quick... Serena... I think she’s dying!"