The mansion was quiet, but tension hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.
Amara had spent the afternoon carefully reviewing every detail she could remember from the gala. She knew Claire wouldn't waste time—tonight, the next move would come.
Dinner was served in the grand dining hall. Amara sat across from Alexander, trying to keep her composure. The staff moved silently around the table, serving dishes with polite smiles. But Amara's instincts were screaming: someone was planning something.
She scanned the table. Nothing seemed out of place… until her eyes fell on a glass of red wine in front of her.
Something was off.
Amara's heart skipped. She reached subtly, pretending to adjust her napkin, and carefully lifted the glass to examine it.
A faint odor—bitter, metallic—hit her nose.
Poison.
Her pulse raced. She looked up at Alexander, but he was focused on his plate, unaware of the danger.
Amara's mind worked quickly. If she didn't act, she could die tonight. But revealing it too soon could alert the attacker. She needed a plan.
She set the glass down and waited, pretending to sip from another. Then, with calculated calm, she swapped the poisoned glass with Alexander's empty one. Her hands were steady, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.
She didn't have to wait long.
Victor appeared near the sideboard, pretending to adjust a silver tray. Amara's eyes narrowed. He was the one who had been warned to plant the cameras, but now… he was delivering Claire's first deadly move.
Alexander finally looked up, catching her gaze. His eyes darkened instantly.
"She's trying to test you," he said quietly, voice low. "And you passed."
Amara felt a shiver of relief—and fear. The mansion was alive with hidden threats, and she was learning that surviving meant thinking two steps ahead of everyone, even Alexander's enemies.
Victor glanced at her briefly, suspicion flickering across his face, but he said nothing. Claire's plan had failed… this time.
Amara realized something chilling. Claire wouldn't stop. Every move would be deadlier than the last. Every ally could be an enemy.
And tonight had taught her one undeniable lesson: in Alexander Knight's world, even a single sip of wine could be a death sentence.