Lina stood at the edge of the Grand Hall, the sounds of laughter and music filling the air around her. Her eyes glinted with satisfaction as her plan began to take shape in her mind. The small bottle of pills was tucked safely in her pocket, and her confidence grew with every passing second.
“This is it,” she whispered to herself, a small smile playing on her lips.
She turned and walked out of the room, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. As she reached the hallway, she spotted one of the younger maids carrying a tray of empty glasses.
“You,” Lina called, her tone sharp but calm.
The maid froze, turning quickly to face her. “Yes, Mrs. Wolfe?” she asked, her voice polite but nervous.
Lina stepped closer, pulling the bottle of pills from her pocket. She opened it carefully, shaking one small pill into her palm. Without hesitation, she dropped it into the glass of wine she was holding. The liquid fizzed slightly before settling.
“I need you to deliver this to Mr. Wolfe,” Lina said, holding out the glass. Her smile was sweet, but her eyes were cold.
The maid blinked, hesitating for a moment. “For Mr. Wolfe?”
“Yes,” Lina said, her tone firm. “He’s been sitting for too long. This will help him relax.”
The maid nodded quickly, taking the glass from Lina’s hand. “Of course, Mrs. Wolfe. I’ll take it to him right away.”
“Good,” Lina said, her smile widening. “Make sure he drinks it all.”
The maid hurried off, clutching the glass carefully as she entered the Grand Hall. She weaved through the crowd, her eyes fixed on Damian, who was still seated at the head of the room. His sharp gaze flicked to her as she approached, but his expression remained neutral.
“Mr. Wolfe,” the maid said softly, bowing slightly as she held out the glass. “Your wine, sir.”
Damian glanced at her, then at the glass. He didn’t question it; he assumed it was just another drink brought to him as part of the evening’s service.
“Thank you,” he said simply, taking the glass from her hand.
The maid stepped back, bowing again before hurrying off. Damian swirled the wine in the glass for a moment before lifting it to his lips. He took a small sip, letting the taste settle on his tongue. It was good-rich and smooth, just as he liked it.
Without thinking, he tilted the glass back and drank the rest in one go.
Lina, watching from the doorway, smirked to herself. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she waited for the effects to kick in.
Back in the hall, Damian began to feel… strange. A warmth spread through his body, starting in his chest and radiating outward. His skin felt hot, almost as if he were standing too close to a fire.
He shifted in his seat, loosening the collar of his shirt. His breathing grew heavier, and his mind felt foggy.
“What the hell?” he muttered under his breath, rubbing a hand over his face.
The noise around him felt louder, more overwhelming. He tried to focus, but his thoughts were jumbled. A strange restlessness took over him, making it impossible to sit still.
“I need to leave,” Damian said to himself, pushing his chair back.
He stood up abruptly, catching the attention of a few nearby guests. Raphael raised an eyebrow, watching as his brother swayed slightly before steadying himself.
“Are you all right, Damian?” Raphael called out, his tone laced with amusement.
Damian didn’t answer. He muttered something under his breath, brushing past the guests as he headed for the door.
Lina watched from the shadows, her smile widening as she saw him stagger down the hallway. “Perfect,” she whispered to herself.
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Lina found Luna arranging a fresh tray of glasses.
“Luna,” Lina said, her voice calm and sweet.
Luna turned quickly, bowing her head slightly. “Yes, Mrs. Wolfe?”
“I need you to go upstairs and prepare Mr. Wolfe’s bedroom,” Lina said, her tone kind but firm. “Make sure everything is in order.”
Luna frowned slightly, unsure of why she was being asked to do this in the middle of the party. But she didn’t dare question Lina. “Of course, ma’am,” she said, setting the tray down.
“Good girl,” Lina said with a small smile. “Hurry along now. He’ll be up shortly.”
Luna nodded and quickly made her way upstairs. Her steps were light as she entered Damian’s bedroom, her hands moving to tidy the already spotless space. She adjusted the pillows, straightened the blanket, and placed a glass of water on the nightstand.
She didn’t think much of the request. To her, it was just another task in a long list of duties she performed every day.
Downstairs, Damian’s condition worsened. His body felt hotter with every passing second, his skin prickling with sweat. His breathing was heavy, and his heart raced in his chest.
“What the hell is happening to me?” he growled, stumbling slightly as he reached the stairs.
He gripped the railing tightly, his knuckles turning white as he fought to keep himself steady. His vision blurred for a moment, and he shook his head, trying to clear it.
Lina stood in her doorway, watching him with a look of satisfaction. She leaned casually against the frame, her arms crossed as she took in the sight of Damian struggling to climb the stairs.
“Enjoy the night, darling,” she murmured to herself, her smile wicked.
Damian didn’t notice her. His mind was too foggy, his body too restless to register her presence. He focused only on reaching his bedroom, desperate to cool the fire burning inside him.