Third P.O.V
SMACK!
The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the entire room.
"Tara! How could you do this to us? To your family… to the people who love you?" a female voice cried in horror.
Tara slowly lifted her head, her eyes burning with anger and pain.
"Family? Loved ones?" she repeated bitterly. "Everyone in this house played me like a fool. Every single one of you betrayed me and used me. And now you all want my life… for what? Your materialistic greed and selfish ambitions?"
Her voice trembled with rage.
"I loved you all. I gave you everything I had. And what did I get in return? Lies. Deception. You treated me like I was nothing but a fool."
"It's not like that," a male voice tried to explain.
"Save your excuses for someone who still cares," Tara snapped coldly. "I'm done with all of you."
The people in the room froze in fear as her words hung heavily in the air.
THREE MONTHS AGO
"Wow, Tara, you look so beautiful in that gown!" Venessa said with excitement.
"Thanks, Nessa," Tara replied with a warm smile.
"Hey! What did I say?" Venessa said, pretending to be offended. "Between friends there's no 'thank you' or 'sorry'."
The two girls burst into laughter.
Just then, the door opened.
"Oh my, my little baby sister looks gorgeous today," Ananya said teasingly as she leaned against the doorway.
The girls laughed again.
"Okay, okay, enough compliments," Ananya continued. "We have to go to the fundraiser first, and then the charity ball afterward. Come on, girls."
The three of them left the room and walked downstairs to the sitting room where the rest of the family was waiting.
"Wow, my girls look gorgeous today," Mr. Logan said proudly.
"Thank you, Mom and Dad," Tara replied politely.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Logan," Venessa added with a smile.
"Thanks, Mom and Dad," Ananya said.
"Where's Frank?" Tara asked.
"Your brother said he'll meet us there," Mrs. Logan replied.
"Then let's go," Ananya said.
They all headed outside and got into the car before driving to the hotel where the fundraiser was being held.
When they arrived, the ballroom was already filled with influential guests. People of wealth and power mingled together, discussing business, making donations, and enjoying the elegant atmosphere.
The fundraiser was hosted by the Logan family themselves, and so far everything was going perfectly.
"Girl, you really prepared well for this fundraiser and the ball," Venessa said admiringly. "Everything looks so perfect and organized."
"Thanks," Tara replied. "But I couldn't have done it without your help. Besides, I'm already overwhelmed with work at the company. Being in charge hasn't been easy."
She sighed slightly.
"And now we're preparing to collaborate with the renowned ANOX Company from Capital City A. Honestly, the fact that this fundraiser is going smoothly already feels like a miracle."
Venessa looked at her with concern.
"You look exhausted. Let me go get you a drink."
"That would mean a lot, thanks," Tara said.
Venessa walked toward the refreshment table.
But while everything appeared peaceful, hidden dangers were already waiting in the shadows.
"Waiter," a woman's voice called softly.
The waiter approached.
The woman discreetly took out a tiny packet from her purse.
"Take this," she whispered, handing it to him. "Put it into one of the drinks and give it to that lady in the sleeveless red dress."
She nodded toward Tara across the room.
"Make sure she drinks it. No one else."
The waiter hesitated.
"You'll get five hundred thousand dollars."
He swallowed hard… then nodded.
A few minutes later, the waiter approached Tara.
"Ma'am, would you like a drink?"
"Oh, thank you," Tara said kindly as she accepted the glass.
Just then she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Ouch," she muttered.
She looked up and froze.
Standing before her was a tall man with piercing grey eyes and a broad chest. He stared down at her silently.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to bump into you," Tara said politely.
She raised the glass slightly.
"As an apology, I'll drink this."
She took a sip, gave him an apologetic nod, and walked away.
A few minutes later, Venessa returned with drinks in her hands.
"Here you go," she said.
"Sorry, Nessa," Tara replied. "I just had one a few minutes ago. I don't think I can drink another tonight."
"No problem," Venessa said.
As the night went on, Tara began to feel strange.
Her body felt hot. Weak.
"What's wrong with me?" she whispered under her breath.
A wave of dizziness hit her.
"Please don't tell me something was in that drink… maybe an aphrodisiac… or maybe the alcohol was too strong."
Trying to stay calm, she decided to leave the ballroom.
"Thank God I have the key card to my room. I just need to rest."
As she hurried toward the elevators, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Watch where you're going!" a woman snapped angrily.
But Tara was too dizzy to respond. She bent down, picked up her room key card from the floor, and continued walking.
After reaching her floor, she finally found her room.
She opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind her.
But before she could take another step—
Strong arms suddenly wrapped around her from behind.
Her body froze in shock.
The man turned her toward him, pulling her close.
Before she could fully react, their lips met in a sudden, intense kiss.
Tara's mind spun as confusion, heat, and dizziness overwhelmed her.
Something was terribly wrong.