Wendy couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off, though she couldn''t quite put her finger on what it was.
Maybe Rowena just didn''t want anyone to see her in such a humble, apologetic state.
Inside the private dining room.
Isadora nced down at the menu.
It was filled with spicy Southern dishes.
Isadora had never been a fan of spicy food.
After sharing a few meals with Wendy, Rowena would''ve known that. So why...?
It suddenly hit Isadora-when she''d first walked in, the restaurant had been nearly empty and a bit run-down. The way the server looked at her had felt odd, too.
Now, she took in the oversized round table, set for ten people-far toorge for just the two of them.
She dropped the menu, intending to leave.
But just then-
A faint, sweet fragrance drifted in through the window.
Isadora had only taken a couple steps before she inhaled the scent. A wave of dizziness crashed over her...
Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around her stomach, but the drug worked fast. Her consciousness slipped away.
The door to the private room opened.
Rowena stepped inside, waving a hand in front of her nose as if to clear the air. She stared down at Isadora, now unconscious on the floor. The look in Rowena''s eyes was cold and venomous, like a snake''s, her lips curling into a twisted smile.
"Isadora, after tonight, you''ll be in hell with me."
She quickly dialed a number.
"Mr. Dunbar, it''s done. I''ll bring her to you right away."
Outside the restaurant.
Wendy stood on the curb, anxiously awaiting a cab, her nerves on edge.
Rowena''s earlier demeanor hadn''t seemed remorseful at all-more like she was plotting something.
A taxi pulled up.
"Miss, hurry up and get in—there''s someoneing behind you," the driver called.
The urgency in his voice jolted Wendy.
No, she decided. She had to go back and see what was going on.
She turned and ran back toward the restaurant, moving faster and faster, until she
burst through the door and flung open the private dining room.
The room was empty. The only thing lingering was a strange, smoky scent in the
air.
Wendy grabbed the nearest
the people from this room
Fation in her voice."
The server''s face remained nk. "They left."
"Where did they go?"
"I don''t know."
Wendy bit her lip, her anxiety mounting. "Was it two women or just one?"
"I don''t know."
"Were they awake or unconscious when they left?"
"I don''t know."
Wendy''s face turned pale, tears threatening to fall.
Had she made a terrible mistake?
Isadora, please please be okay.
Underground parking garage, five-star hotel.
Rowena wore a ck dress, half her
face by a matching silke
eyes darted nervously
side to side.
Beside her stood the server she''d bribed from the restaurant.
He crane unconscious
Isadora
in his arms, wrapping her tightly in a
long
t belongs to sw
Contercoat from head t
Just then, Terrell stepped out of the elevator, having just finished a business
dinner.
The elevator chimed.
The doors slid open.
Rowena and her aplice hurried inside, nearly bumping into Terrell as he exited.
The coat covering Isadora almost slipped off.
Rowena reacted instantly, grabbing it and pulling it tightly back into ce.
Terrell nced over, catching a glimpse of a woman''s hair underneath the coat.
But Rowena quickly fixed the cover, hiding Isadora from view once more.
It''s him! Rowena recognized Terrell as the man who''d had dinner with Isadora that night.
Guilt and fear made her keep her head down, not daring to look up.
Terrell walked out of the elevator, but after a few steps, he paused, frowning.
Why did he catch a hint of familiar gardenia perfume here?
He turned, ncing back.
As the elevator doors slid shut, he caught the furtive, nervous look in Rowena''s
eyes.