Violet’s smile deepened.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
Sophia, on the other hand, started to feel dizzy.
The room twisted violently, as if she were trapped on a spinning carousel. Her vision blurred, lights stretching into streaks as her body swayed uncontrollably.
Something felt wrong.
She tried to steady herself, shifting her weight, but her legs buckled beneath her. Strength drained from her limbs as if someone had pulled the plug on her body.
Across the room, Violet noticed immediately.
The moment Sophia finally set her glass down on the table, Violet rushed toward her. Just as Sophia began to fall, Violet grabbed her and pulled her against herself.
Sophia could barely keep her eyes open. Feeling some support, her body gave in, allowing Violet to guide her out of the party hall. Violet led her through a side corridor, upstairs, and intothe first room on the floor. She unlocked the door and pushed Sophia inside.
Sophia stumbled into the room and shook her head hard, trying to regain her senses, but it was useless.
‘Something is wrong with me,’ she thought in panic.
Her heart slammed painfully against her ribs.
She quickly pulled out her phone. With trembling fingers, she scrolled through her recent calls and tapped the screen. She meant to call Emma but her thumb slipped. She didn’t realize the name on the screen wasn’t Emma.
It was Magnus.
The phone rang once… twice… then connected.
“E—Emma…” Sophia mumbled, her voice slurred and shaking. “Come… come pick me up. I’m at the party… Hotel du Lac…”
Her grip loosened.
The phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a dull thud.
Her head spun violently. She couldn’t even bend down to pick it up.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed movement—a shadow where there shouldn’t have been one. Her heart skipped a beat as her gaze swept the room.
On the bed, a man sat watching her. Sleazy, heavyset. Every instinct screamed at her to run, but her body betrayed her. A sick smile spread across his face the moment their eyes met, and her stomach twisted with dread.
Sophia tried to step back, but her body failed her. She staggered, flailing, and he was on her in an instant. His grip on her wrist was iron. Before she could scream, he yanked her down onto the bed. The impact knocked the air from her lungs.
She thrashed, clawed at him, tried to push, but it was no use. He was stronger, and every attempt only left her more exhausted, more helpless. Panic screamed through her mind as he pressed over her. Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps.
Near the door, Violet stood with Curtis and Joseph, watching from outside. She held up her phone, recording every moment, their eyes locked on Sophia, watching her terror unfold.
“Look how easy it was,” Violet murmured happily. “All it took was making her helpless, and everything fell into place.”
She glanced at both men, eyes shining with greed.
Joseph nodded. “The moment she gets kicked out, make sure you get close to Magnus. Once you’re part of the Empire Group, no one will ever dare cross me again.”
“Of course, Dad,” Violet said quickly, smiling happily. “Don’t worry, I know exactly what I’m doing. Everything will be over today.”
She turned her eyes back to the phone, continuing to record the video.
Inside the room, the man was already on Sophia. She fought with all her strength, trying to push him off, but he was too physically strong. The harder she struggled, the more leverage he gained, tearing at her clothes.
