And why had she choked?
Esme's lips pressed into a thin line at the memory. Because these so-called responsible adults had been huddled in the corner like cartoon villains, loudly plotting how to lace their grandfather's tea with a laxative.
"It's just a harmless prank," Jay had insisted with a mischievous grin.
"Yeah, he'll never notice," Ryan had added, nodding sagely.
"It'll be hilarious," the youngest chimed in, barely holding back his laughter.
Naturally, they'd decided she was the perfect candidate to deliver the tampered tea.
And she had done it. Oh, she'd done it, alright. With a polite smile plastered on her face and a teacup in hand, she'd carried out their ridiculous scheme. But their grandfather wasn't a fool. One sip in, and his piercing gaze had landed squarely on her, his sharp eyes practically cutting through her soul.
