The door handle twisted, and in the next moment, Jessica stepped inside, her expression neutral yet piercing. Slowly, she shut the door behind her with a quiet click, trapping Vera within the small space.
"What... do you.... want?" Vera asked with cold face. She hates It is no surprise she has come here to mock her.
~In the dinning room~
It has been quite some time since Vera left the table without returning and Jessica followed suit yet isn't returning. A strange silence fell over the remaining family members.
Though the meal continued, there was an undeniable shift in the atmosphere as everyone had the feeling of something going amiss which is never an unusual encounter but the problem is the parties involved -one is Davis legal wife and the other his ex.
The second branch of the family exchanged suspicious glances, Aaron lost interest in the meal and began fiddling with his phone. Davis, who had watched Jessica leave in search of Vera, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his expression cold and tense.
Ethan noted the subtle tension and restlessness in his composure which he had masked well before the family members. "Something is wrong." He mused.
A few minutes passed, and still, neither Jessica nor Vera returned.
Desmond leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine. "Aaron, shouldn't you be checking on your wife and sister-in-law? They're taking an awfully long time." His voice was casual, but his eyes gleamed with sheer curiosity. The feeling of something cooking in the pot kept him standing on his toes.
Aaron chuckled, forcing a nonchalant tone. "Perhaps, they are catching up on some memories. Don't you think so, Davis?" He glance at him with a smirk.
Davis raised his brow at his challenge. He might not have known Jessica for a long time but she isn't one to back down easily. "I think you are right, they are catching up but I wonder what is they are talking about", he smirked.
Aaron wants to ravel him, he needs to think again, however, he wasn't in the mood for games. So, he slowly set down his cutlery and turned his sharp gaze toward Ethan. "Go check on them."
Before Ethan could move, Elder Allen's fork clattered against his plate, his voice laced with concern. "Let's not waste time speculating. We should all go."
Chairs scraped against the polished floor as the family members rose to their feet, their faces filled with varying degrees of curiosity, irritation, or indifference.
The family members moved toward the hallway, guided by faint but unmistakable sounds coming from the other end of the restroom —a strained voice, a sharp, frantic whisper....
~Back in the rest room~
Jessica knelt before Vera, Ignoring her cold glare. She tilted her head slightly as she took in Vera's disheveled state - her beautiful appearance earlier in the evening is no where to be found.
Her evening gown that hugged her perfectly testifying to her elegant figure now clung to her damp sweaty skin, her styled hair now has several lose strands of hair sticking to her forehead with her makeup smudged beyond retouch as her mascara was smeared beneath her eyes due to the tears earlier, her lipstick smudged over some parts of her face while uneven on her lips.
It was indeed a sorry state for the proud daughter of the Louis family.
"Sister-in-law, You don't look too good" she murmured, brushing an imaginary speck off her sleeve.
She placed her hand on her forehead and felt her temperature "Strange? You were fine just a moment ago." She smirked, her eyes glinting with a mischievous smile. Since Vera wants to play, she don't mind accompanying her till the end. Besides, she is just a naïve nanny taking care of Allen Davis or so they think.
"Where are you feeling uncomfortable?" She sneered.
Vera clenched her teeth, trying to steady her erratic breathing. "Don't play pretense here?" she rasped.
Jessica chuckled softly. "Me? Pretense?" She placed a hand over her chest, feigning innocence.
Vera glared at her furiously and sneered "Jessica, nobody is here. You know why I am this way."
Jessica stared at her incredulously as though it is the first time she is seeing her. "How do I know why you are in this way?"
Vera felt bitter seeing Jessica standing tall without any hurt while she is writhing here in pain. Yet, she is playing the innocent card. "Jessica do you want to tell me you don't know anything?" She sneered.
"I don't know anything, may be you have to tell me. You were the one who prepared the toast to welcome me. You even prepared the drink yourself. Isn't it touching?"
Jessica leaned in, her voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Tell me, Vera… what exactly did you put in that drink?"
A cold shiver ran down Vera's spine. "So, she really know and yet -" She muttered.
Panic flared in her chest, but the drug was dulling her ability to think clearly. Her mind was in shambles, her body betraying her. The effects were worse than expected, and her usual sharp wit had abandoned her.
Vera's breathing quickened, her anger palpable. "You—You knew. That's why you insisted on switching the drinks with mine? Jessica you are wicked."
Jessica's expression turned slightly colder. "I'm wicked you say? Vera did I offend you in anyway? That you have to go this length of drugging my drink yet I am the wicked one. Sister-in-law, aren't you been bias?"
Vera's lips parted, but no words came out.
She tilted her head. "Tell me, sister-in-law, was this meant to just make me look weak, to humiliate me in front of everyone or did you have something more sinister in mind?"
Vera flinched at the accusation but then been in this state there is nothing more for her to worry about. She met Jessica's gaze head on "Do you care to know?"
Jessica stared at her coldly. She didn't expect her opponent this time to be Vera. She had no feud with her yet- "Yes, I care because I didn't offend you in anyway".
Vera smiled lightly "I drugged your drink, so what? You might have turned the table against me but my kind advice to you...be careful".
Jessica's gaze darkened, and a slow smile curled her lips. A sudden shift in the air made Vera's skin prickle. It was then that she noticed it—the door had never fully closed.
A soft creak sounded, followed by a familiar voice that she will recognize even in her grave, It was Davis. His voice cold, his eyes blazing with fury "Repeat what you just said."
Vera's heart stopped. More footsteps approached. Slowly, Jessica straightened, turning slightly toward the open door. And there, standing just outside, were Davis, Aaron, Ethan, and—Elder Allen.
Vera felt the world around her collapse, her stomach churned with dismay as she glared at Jessica. She had walked straight into a trap.
Vera felt a surge of rage, but her weakened state rendered her powerless. She had been played, and worse—Jessica was enjoying it.