LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 3: Spiking Her Drink
Aurora paused for a moment as the sound of ripping fabric reached her ears.
At first, she didn't want to believe it was her dress, but the collective gasps and sharp inhale of air around her, plus the chill she felt under her thighs suggested otherwise. Immediately, she spun around.
"You!" Aurora accused, her voice, seething with rage.
"Oops!" Olivia clasped her mouth. "I'm so sorry," she said, eyeing her tentatively, but she wasn't sorry at all. "I think you should go fix your dress before you flash everyone your thighs," she pointed out.
Aurora's cheeks burned with humiliation as she awkwardly grasped the torn fabric and hurried to the bathroom.
She was breathing heavily by the time she got into one of the stalls and locked it.
"That fucking idiot!" Aurora cursed as she took off her dress and examined the extent of the damage. The tear was long. Thankfully, she could do something about it and go back to the party.
Aurora opened her purse and searched through the pile of random knick-knacks for a needle and thread.
Fortunately, the ruffles on her dress from the waist down would conceal any sloppy stitching. She only needed to mind her steps.
Ten minutes later, Aurora stepped back into the hall. She found Xander chatting with someone and noticed an empty chair to his right before making her way over with all the confidence she could muster.
"Mr. Scott," She called lightly and came into his view.
"Ms. Swift." Xander's face relaxed into a warm smile. Excusing himself from the other guest, he offered her the empty seat next to him. He had been scanning the room for her, and her presence at his table was a reassuring surprise.
"Thank you." Aurora's face lit up with a smile as she settled herself next to him. "I hope you don't mind my presence."
"I would never," Xander chuckled softly. "What do you want for dessert?" He asked, picking up the menu. He looked ready to order whatever she wanted.
Aurora shook her head. He cocked his head to the side, closing the menu. "You don't want anything?" She nodded.
Xander nudged his plate of dessert toward her, his eyes sparkling with persuasion. "Try this mini blueberry mousse cake." Meeting her curious gaze, he added, "If you don't mind, I've only had a bite, but I think you will enjoy it."
Aurora beamed, thinking that she shouldn't disappoint his kind gesture, she picked up the new fork and took a small bite of the dessert. Immediately, her eyes sparkled with delight.
"I knew you would like it." Xander looked satisfied.
Aurora had a few more bites. "Sweets really help with the stress."
Xander chuckled heartily. "That seems to be the case," he mused. He seemed to be enjoying her company.
"I must admit, I don't like sweets much, however," Xander confessed. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket before using it to dab clean the mousse clinging onto Aurora's lips. "But you're making it very tempting."
The way he smiled caused Aurora's eyes to widen before she quickly averted her gaze. For some strange reason, the way Xander looked at her caused her face to flush.
Olivia caught this scene and wrinkled the side of her dress out of jealousy. She couldn't sit still and left Owen's side to go find her mother to complain.
"Mum, I don't care how that loser got into the good books of Xander Scott, we have to do something about it!"
Stella's gaze darkened. "I will take care of her, but you have to help me with something first."
Aurora was still all smiles when Stella arrived at the table and flashed Xander an apologetic smile.
"Mr. Scott, I'm sorry to cut this conversation short, but Aurora's dad wants to speak to her now."
Hearing this, even if Xander thought it was a lie, there was no way he could prevent Aurora from leaving, so he just told her to come to him if she needed anything.
As soon as they were out of earshot and several tables away from Xander's, Stella stopped in her steps and eyed Aurora.
"Stay away from Xander Scott! He is way out of your league!" She warned.
Aurora scoffed. "You didn't invite me to this party, and neither did you let me in, therefore, you don't have any right to tell me who to and who not to speak to."
"How do you think you got the invitation for your first business LIVE interview?" Stella asked.
It took a moment before realization dawned on Aurora. It was a set-up to keep her away from the engagement party.
"Stay away from Xander Scott and you will still have legs to walk home with." As soon as Stella gave her final warning, she gestured to the security men and ordered them to keep a tight watch on Aurora. "…Do not let her get close to Xander Scott."
Aurora found herself in a dilemma as she couldn't go back to Xander's table and wondered the odds of him coming to find her.
Overshadowed by anger and frustration, she grabbed the only champagne glass left in the tray a waiter brought to her and drank from it.
At the other end, Olivia stopped in front of a man her age with ears and lips piercings. He was a popular playboy in Wing City, known for his promiscuous way.
"You see my beautiful sister, over there?" She asked, pointing towards the spot where Aurora stood, with Owen steadily approaching her. "What if I tell you that you can have her for tonight?"
Almost immediately, the playboy licked his lower lips as his eyes on Aurora narrowed with interest. "Are you sure?"
"You only need to listen to my instructions," Olivia smirked.
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The last person Aurora wanted to see was Owen, especially when she started to get uncomfortable.
"Looks like I was right about dumping you." Owen taunted with a smirk. "You can't even win against a fight with your sister. You are indeed a pretty face, too bad you don't have what it takes to keep a man."
"Who asked for your opinion?" Aurora rolled her eyes and immediately regretted it. Her vision began to blur, her head spinning.
Unsatisfied with her remarks, Owen continued, "I can give you a second chance if you finally agree to sleep with me…"
The rest of the words he was saying zoned out as Aurora felt the room tilt, and she stumbled.
She couldn't continue listening to Owen's gibberish and quickly turned to flee for the bathroom.
On the other hand, Xander finally caught sight of her fleeing and felt something was off with her. His brows furrowed.
At the same time, the playboy Olivia contracted downed the remaining content of his glass and quickly followed Aurora.
On getting to the bathroom, Aurora turned the faucet and quickly splashed some water on her face, but that did nothing to stabilize her vision.
"W-What i-is happening to me?" She stuttered, breathing heavily.
Just then, the playboy from earlier entered the women's washroom and caught sight of Aurora trying to steady herself in front of the sink and smiled to himself. He turned to lock the door before making his way to her side, and that was when she noticed him.
"W-What are you doing in the lady's room?" Aurora slurred, trying to move back but immediately, he grabbed her arm and pulled her into his embrace.
"I came for you," the playboy smirked, gazing into her hazy eyes. His alcoholic breath almost threw Aurora off balance.
"Get away from me!" She tried pushing him away but found his grip so strong on her arms. It was then she understood that she was in real danger.
"Help me!" She screamed, but he quickly palmed her mouth and laughed drunkenly.
"No one is coming for you," he said and leaned in to kiss her.
Suddenly, when Aurora thought all hope was lost and she was going to be taken advantage of, she heard someone call her name from outside and the next moment, the door burst open.