June wore a tense smile as she stood beside Liam, awaiting the toast.
Wine glasses were served to people for the exercise. They were served last. June felt her tension peak as she saw a blond lady carrying two glasses of wine towards them.
The woman seemed all too familiar. The lady, dressed in a server’s uniform headed towards them with her eyes to the floor and presented the drink by hand.
“Happy birthday sir.” She handed a glass to Liam.
Just then, June felt a bolt hit her when she suddenly remembered where she’d seen the blonde lady. “You…” She muttered, stifled by shock at the woman before her.
“Please have a good night.” The lady spoke with urgency in her tone.
When June delayed to take the drink, Arnold spoke up. “People are waiting.” Liam wore a clear countenance as he observed their interactions.
June looked at Liam and back at the lady. She shook her head and said, “This drink is poisoned.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed at his drink. “What?”
June spoke more firmly. “This drink is poisoned.” She pointed towards Arnold with an accusing finger. “They are trying to kill you!”
Liam watched his stepbrother who reacted to the accusations with an angered disposition. “Watch your mouth, woman!”
June remained steadfast. “They want to kill you! They poisoned your drink, Liam!”
By now, the people’s attention was caught by the drama and three buff men stood beside the young lady, hindering her from taking a step out.
“How do you know this, Miss Rivera?” Liam asked with a formal expression, his gaze flickered between his Step Brother and June.
“I heard them. They want to kill you. Don’t drink it!”
June tried to take the drink out of his hand but he stepped away just in time. June was frustrated. “I know this woman! She once tried to kill me! She is supposed to be in jail but somehow she managed to get here.”
“What do you mean?”
“This woman was once hired to kill me. I merely escaped death at her hands and she was sentenced to prison in South City for her crimes.” June explained and gasps filled the place.
Carson came forward, to the shock of June. “She is right. This woman has been sentenced to prison for attempted murder.”
“C-Carson?”
He took a good look at the server who was suddenly sweaty and sought ways to get out of the hall to no avail. “How did you escape?”
“It’s a lie! They are all liars!” The young lady defended with shaky lips. “I have no criminal record. I have never been to South City before! They are lying!”
Arnold stepped forward. “I recruited this woman amongst others to serve at this event.” He vouched. “All the servers are North City’s citizens who are trained in this profession.”
He threw a dirty look at June. “I believe she is mistaken. Perhaps she’s had a bit to drink?”
June’s eyes widened. “He is the perpetrator! Your brother wants you killed! He gave her something to sprinkle in your drink, Liam. You have to believe me.”
Liam’s gaze hardened.
“How dare you throw such baseless accusations?!” Arnold roared. “I will not condone such slander to my name and reputation!”
June turned to Liam. “I am not lying! I saw it happen a few minutes ago,” She finally took the drink out of his hands. “Here you go,” She handed it over to the lady. “If there is nothing inside this drink, you should have no problem drinking it.”
The lady swallowed as they all waited for her to take the glass. She didn’t. Arnold was furious. “This woman was once an addict and cannot take a single sip of alcohol.” He glowered, jaws clenched.
The young woman nodded and one could see the faint signs of relief on her face. June looked between the woman and Liam, she couldn’t tell what he thought but she couldn’t let this woman walk away either.
“I will drink it.” She said after a moment of silence.
“Never,” Liam said.
“Are you out of your mind?” Carson bellowed.
June turned to Liam. “Mr Carson is a doctor. I believe in his abilities.” She said with firm faith. “This woman is the assassin.” She maintained her stance.
One of the security officers rushed into the event and whispered something into Liam’s ears. He blinked in uncertainty and turned to June who now held the glass cup in hand.
“I just received news that a lookalike of this lady is currently at the South City Prison,” Liam announced. “A nurse convicted for numerous orchestrated murders requested by Late Mr. Ethan Lontoc.”
June blinked, unable to believe it. “What?”
Arnold wore a triumphal smile. “This is not a place to spew nonsense! You have abused the rights of this woman and she deserves an apology. We all do for your act of disrupting this event!”
Liam watched June as she looked around, gauging the reactions of people who seemed to be in sync with the recent development. Unknown to her, Rafael stood in the crowd, watching her with a thundering heart.
He left the party to meet with some men he hired to ease his search for June in North City earlier on. Who knew he would be seeing her for the first time in months on his first night out in North City?
Rafael walked towards her with a one-track mind. When June saw him, it was a bit too late. “Rafe?” She muttered and he dragged her into himself, watching her with reverence in his eyes.
“There you are.” He muttered and traced a finger across her face.
June was caught in the moment for a second until Liam cleared his throat. She stepped back like she was burnt by fire. June felt the intense pressure of the people who watched her with strange looks and reflexively threw back the drink.
“No!” Carson was a second too late in his attempts to stop her.
He ended up throwing the glass to the ground. The glass shattered to chards, making a mess of the floor.
June realised what she had done after the deed. She nervously held her throat and fear gripped her. She didn’t know how deadly the poison was and feared for her life.
Rafael who didn’t follow through with the events which led to the situation stared at Carson in question. Liam dragged June towards him and studied her appearance.
It seemed everything was fine.
Arnold hadn’t expected this turn of events, however, he couldn’t weep over spilt milk. In a few minutes, the poison would kick in and she would be experiencing signs of her body shutting down shortly.
“What are you doing?!” Carson looked mad. “We need to take her to the hospital!”
Rafael was caught in jealousy at the hand wrapped around his beloved wrist. He stepped forward and held her by the free wrist. “We need to talk.”
June felt beads of sweat cumulate in her back and she felt her chest tighten and her vision blurred. “We have nothing to talk about.” Using the last strength in her, she pulled her hand away from his and faced Liam.
“Don’t let them escape.” She muttered, then collapsed.
Liam held her from falling and a shocked noise erupted across the room. June was not breathing. Carson rushed towards her and rigorously applied CPR while the security men held Arnold and the server.
Rafael couldn’t believe his eyes. His heart froze and he turned to Liam. The atmosphere turned gloomy as he asked with a darkened expression. “What is going on here?”