?Chapter 1561:


    That couldn’t be right. She had watched Christina drink the drugged water herself. So why had everything spunpletely out of her grasp?


    Fuming, Vickie turned on her heel and stormed back toward the ballroom. After scanning the crowd, her gaze finallynded on Christina.


    Vickie swallowed the anger wing up her throat, forcing a sweet smile onto her face as she approached.


    “Christina, why haven’t you changed into your gown?” she asked lightly, pretending nothing at all was wrong.


    Christina’s eyes flicked over Vickie—and stopped at the telltale mark on her neck. There was no mistaking it. That hickey was Brendon’s.


    So Ynda must have caught them together—but hadn’t caused a scene. That meant they’d already struck some sort of deal.


    Ynda really did have impressive self-control, staying by Brendon’s side as if nothing had happened, smiling and greeting guests like a perfect hostess.


    “Oh—did you forget?” Christina’s tone was mild, her expression politely nk. “You fainted before you could bring me the dress.”


    Then, with a touch of feigned concern, she added, “I didn’t know where you kept it, so when you passed out, I carried you to a room and left. You’re fine now, right? Any dizziness? Nausea? Do you need to see a doctor?”


    Vickie’s teeth ground together. The ache in her jaw mirrored the humiliation burning in her chest.


    Her first time was supposed to belong to the man she adored—not a twice-divorced loser. Brendon wasn’t even worthy of shining Dn’s shoes—yet she had ended up in his bed. The disgrace was unbearable.


    “Vickie?” Christina tilted her head slightly, concern softening her voice. “You look pale. Are you sure you’re alright?”


    With visible effort, Vickie managed a tight smile. “I’m fine. Just tired. A little rest will fix it. But thank you.”


    “Not at all,” Christina replied sweetly, her smile radiant.


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    Inside, Vickie was screaming—but not a trace of it touched her face.


    “If it weren’t for you, Christina, I’d probably still be lying unconscious on the floor,” she said through clenched teeth, trying to sound grateful. “Thank you for your help.”


    None of this made sense. Why was Christina perfectly fine? Had the aphrodisiac been a dud? Expired?


    “Christina, excuse me—I need to check on something,” Vickie cut in quickly, afraid she’d lose herposure, and hurried off.


    She had to see the surveince footage. She needed answers.


    Why had Christina and Robin walked away unscathed while she’d fallen into her own trap?


    Thinking back, that fainting spell hadn’t felt normal. And after waking, she’d hallucinated—seeing Brendon as Dn.


    Without those illusions, she never would have let him touch her, let alone have sex with him.


    Never.


    The realization that she had actually slept with Brendon made her stomach twist violently.


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