"You should ask Mrs. Ouyang about this! I think she can give you a more appropriate answer than me." Edward lifted his eyes in a resolute manner. His face suddenly became as cold as ice. He was no more the idle dandy in ordinary days.
"Mom, what is going on here? What happened?" If Mary was even half as smart as her mother, she would not ask such a stupid question at this critical moment. Mary was dumb. She did't realize the subtext behind the conversation going on between Edward and her mother.
"How would I know? Drink your wine and do not cut in, Mary!" Yakira rolled her eyes at her daughter. What a foolish daughter she had given birth to! 'Stupid girl! Do you want me to admit my guilt in front of Edward! How I wish that Edward could listen to my explanation and believe every word I say. But that might only happen when the sun starts rising from the west. It is impossible!' Yakira could not help but sneer at her daughter in her heart.
Mom, why did you get angry? I'm just curious." Mary was irritated by Yakira scolding her in front of Edward. She felt embarrassed for her impaired dignity, and her face darkened. Edward furrowed his brows. He somehow felt helpless at Yakira's obstinateness, which was far beyond his imagination. She carefully designed every word she said, and was clever enough to avoid every bait he prepared for her. It was difficult to convict her. Without her own testimony, there would never be a chance to bring her to justice. He knew she was the culprit, but he was unable to prove her guilty because of lack of evidences. It was unfair to Daisy. His beloved wife must have been sad to see his incompetence.
The atmosphere became serious all of a sudden. The former tepid attitude of the three people in the room now led to an embarrassing silence. Both Edward and Yakira were racking their brains to find a means to their ends. To be frank, Yakira had consulted several legal documents to solve this problem. She was certain that no one would be able to convict her without evidences, provided that she refused to admit her crime. As for Paul's accusation against her, she could perfectly escape it, by charging him of defaming. It happened long back, after all! Even if some evidences were left then, they must have turned into ashes with the passage of time!
"There is nothing interesting happening here. Control your curiosity. Don't pry into anything that is not your business. It won't do you any good." Yakira could not scream at her daughter in Edward's presence, although she had already grown desperately mad at Mary. She had to lower her voice and suppress the fury in her tone. But she was really enraged by her daughter's stupidity.
"Excuse me, I have to answer this phone." Edward's cellphone rang at this moment. He picked up his cellphone and stepped into the restroom in the compartment. Edward never imagined that this phone call could offer a good opportunity to his foes. Mary picked up Edward's glass as soon as he left, and handed it over to Yakira sitting next to her. Yakira hesitated for a short while before dripping several drops of the drug that she had prepared in advance into Edward's glass. The transparent liquid, which was colorless and odorless, immediately dissolved into the wine. The limpid liquor in the glass glistened like crystal under the light. Everything was perfect as if nothing had happened. Mary and Yakira were only one step away from their final end. How could they persuade Edward into drinking that glass of wine?
Just in a couple of minutes, the Lady Luck seemed to have sided with the vile mother and daughter. Yakira and Mary were still fighting in a low voice, when Edward stepped out of the restroom. The scene was same as he had left for the phone call earlier. Nothing abnormal. So, there was no reason for Edward to become suspicious.
"Why did you stop drinking? Do not spoil your spirit for my sake." Edward said while walking toward the table. He intended to change the seat and get far away from Mary as much as possible. But he gave up on such an idea at last. He would not spend too much time here. It was Daisy who had called him just now. She was driving toward downtown, and would be here in less than thirty minutes. He would leave soon. If no valuable evidence or testimony could be attained from Yakira, how about letting her pay her debt in a different manner? Maybe it would be better than bringing her to justice and putting her into jail. Her life might be more miserable.
Edward, don't mind my mother. She must be suffering from some kind of menopausal syndrome. She gets irritated easily these days. Let's drink and have a toast!" Mary spoke to Edward and took the glass that had been poisoned. With sheer calmness, she poured wine into the glass before Edward's eyes. In view of Edward's stomach illness, Mary didn't add too much wine into the glass lest Edward would refuse to drink. If that happened, all her efforts would be in vain.
Yakira still displayed an aloof attitude toward Mary. She kept her head down and silently sipped her wine. But she peeped at Edward and Mary from the corner of her eyes from time to time, wishing to know whether Edward would drink the poisoned wine or not. Her heart was in her throat, beating violently in fluster. Suddenly, Yakira thought of Luke, who seemed to follow Edward wherever he went. How could she and Mary move Edward to the room upstairs secretly once Edward became dizzy with the effect of the drug? It was impossible to move Edward upstairs in front of Luke. That was too risky! Luke would certainly discover their vicious plan!
"Okay! I can only have a sip of the wine. Actually, I wish to take none of it. But you will see me as a conceited man in that case." Edward was unwilling to drink the wine. But Mary had spoken up for him just now. He had to consider Mary's feeling and save her face. She had already upset her mother and quarrelled with her for his sake. So, he had to accept her toast. It's just a small glass of wine. No more than half a glass. A cool wind was enough to dispel the smell of the wine. There was no need to be afraid that Daisy would know about him drinking the wine. Besides, he had seen Mary pour the wine with his own eyes. There was nothing peculiar, and nothing to be afraid of! Just a small amount of the wine, and he could leave.
"Thank you, Edward! You really are doing me an honor! Let me finish my drink first." Mary gulped down her wine while speaking to Edward. Regardless of the fact that wine was usually tasted by sipping, she swallowed the wine in one big gulp, as she was so eager for Edward to finish his drink as soon as possible. She got excited and was elated and was elated now. She settled her eyes on Edward and watched him raised the glass to his mouth. Edward looked elegant and charming while doing all this. Mary would be fascinated to him even if she wasn't under the influence of alcohol. She felt a desire for Edward in her body. Edward would be hers after he gulp down his wine. Soon, they would have a happy moment on bed. Their bodies would belong to each other. In spite of her wantonness, Mary still felt flushed when she thought of the fantastic moment with the man she dream of.