Chapter 99: The Gala III

Chapter 99: The Gala III Did someone just try to poison me? Athena wondered, instinctively lifting the cup to her nostrils for a closer inspection. The earthy aroma that wafted from the drink was unsettling—an unusual scent that twisted her stomach into knots. As the confusion crept in, she mentally cataloged everything she recalled from her medical studies about poisons. Her eyes widened in shock when her brain finally picked out the brand of poison in her drink. The poison was a bio-weapon gotten from a rare plant extract, infamous for its incapacitating and killing properties. The realization sent a cold shiver down her spine. How had this gotten into her drink? The poison itself was a rare one, so how had her attacker gotten it? Was it the gang? Have they come for her? Athena instantly raised her head, scanning the room for the waiter who had served her. Yet, she couldn’t find him. Instead, her gaze locked onto Fiona, who was standing a few feet away, alone, accessing her. As soon as their eyes met, Fiona looked away, her body language instantly telling Athena what was going on. First, the gang. And now this? Athena couldn’t believe her eyes. How is Fiona getting access to all these? Her father? Then anger surged within Athena. She turned toward Ewan, who stood talking with Zane—Sandro was inconspicuously absent—and waited to see if he was on the same page with Fiona, but he seemed oblivious. Yet, she thought about confronting him. However, on a second thought, she changed her mind. Because what would she say? "Hey Ewan, I think your fiancée might be trying to poison me?" She had no proof, only a storm of suspicions swirling in her mind. Feeling the weight of the moment, she pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message to Aiden. ’Aiden, I need you to check the CCTV footage from tonight’s event. I think someone might have slipped poison into my drink.’ As she pressed send, her eyes drifted back to Fiona, who was now watching her once again. This time, Athena could see the sly smirk creeping onto the latter’s lips. A bold dare to do her worst? Athena chuckled incredulously. Fiona was bent on sabotaging her then. This wasn’t just a passing feud; it was war. But she had to figure out a way to respond without dragging Ewan into the chaos, especially since he was completely oblivious to this brewing storm. Just then, an abrupt shove from behind knocked her off balance. Athena spun around to find one of Fiona’s friends—a woman whose name escaped her in the heat of the moment. The woman glanced at her in shock and then bolted away, leaving Athena feeling increasingly on edge. Panic prickled at her skin, but before she could process what had just happened, a loud alarm echoed throughout the hall. The voice of the host of the event rose above the murmurs, fraught with rage. "My father’s jewelry is missing! Guards, close the doors! We have a thief in our midst!" An instant wave of murmurs swept through the crowd, confusion and alarm feeding on one another as guests turned to one another, curiosity digging in. Athena furrowed her eyebrows, forgetting her own plight for a second. What was going on? Who would dare to steal from leading family in the city? Who would dare enter their home unbidden? Was the person asking for a quick death? Shrugging her shoulders at the impending chaos, she gracefully walked around the cluster of bodies, stopped by a sink next to the passageway, and emptied the glass of poisoned drink down the drain. "Everyone, stay calm!" A security guard called out, getting her attention. "We’ll figure this out." Within moments, the doors were locked, and the crowd began to be searched. It was surreal—people rifled through their belongings, expressions of anxiety painted across their faces. Athena wondered where her friends were; if they were still outside. She hoped so. Chelsea had a hot temper. She watched now as a guard approached her with a blank look. "Doctor Athena, I apologize, but I need to check your belongings too," The guard said curtly, his expression serious. Athena nodded, and gave him her clutch purse. He found nothing in the silvery material, but he didn’t give her back the purse, or move away. Athena piqued an eyebrow, exuding confidence, while battling with the uneasy feeling again. What’s going on? Why am I feeling this way? "What’s the matter?" The guard said nothing. Instead he brought out a tracking device that was beeping loudly. "The master’s jewels are all trackable. According to the device, I’m at the right spot." "What?" Athena echoed, noting that she was now the center of attention. "What would I gain from stealing the jewelry? I haven’t even left the hall since the gala began?" The guard ignored her question. "Can you empty your pocket, ma’am?" "I don’t have..." Athena paused, when her eyes collided with Fiona again. The latter was smirking. Inhaling deeply to calm herself, she looked down at her gown, biting her lips when she saw the slit by the side—a small side pocket, biting it harder when she remembered Fiona’s friend bumping into her. That must be when they had slipped the jewelry into her pocket! She thought, fighting to stay calm. But why hadn’t she felt the weight on her skin? When she dipped her hand into her pocket, she understood why. The jewelry was only a simple ring made with a light red clothing material. Most likely a keepsake. Murmurs and hisses broke out in the crowd, when she handed the ring over to the guard. "I didn’t do it. It wouldn’t even make sense if I had done it." "Then, how did it get into your pocket, Doctor?" Athena shrugged her shoulders, feigning nonchalance. "Beats me. What would I do with that?" She asked, pointing at the ring in the guard’s hand. Before the guard could give her a reply though, the hostess of the event abruptly stepped forward and gave her a dirty slap. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Doctor Athena! How dare you?"