Chapter 121
He was someone who had weathered many storms, and he understood immediately—there was something wrong with this drink! It had been drugged! And it was most likely a powerful aphrodisiac!
His eyes instantly turned cold, a chilling glint flashing in his gray pupils.
He looked at Vivian, taking in that face full of scheming and greed, then glanced at Elizabeth standing nearby, seemingly calm but with a trace of mockery and coldness in her eyes.
Was it Vivian trying to harm Elizabeth, but he had drunk it by mistake? Or had Elizabeth turned the tables, deliberately letting him drink it?
Either way, he had become a pawn in someone else's plan, and drugged with such a dirty trick at that!
Anger and a sense of violated disgust surged up inside him.
But he forcibly suppressed it, maintaining a thread of clarity. The drug was taking effect quickly—he had to leave immediately, find an antidote, or use cold water to forcibly suppress it!
"No need." Sawyer's voice was cold and hard as he rejected Vivian's approach. He even subtly took half a step back, putting distance between himself and Vivian. "I just remembered I have urgent business. Excuse me."
With that, he turned to leave.
However, how could Vivian possibly let this rare opportunity slip away!
The drug should kick in soon! She had to seize this chance!
She hurried forward to block Sawyer, her body almost pressing against him, her tone urgent: "Mr. Scott! Don't rush off! Look, your face is all red—are you feeling unwell? Let me help you rest!"
As she spoke, she tried to forcibly grab Sawyer.
Sawyer's eyes flashed sharply, and he violently shook off her hand! The force was so strong that Vivian stumbled.
"Get away!" Sawyer growled, his voice already carrying suppressed fury and the hoarseness brought on by the drug.
He felt his body getting hotter and hotter, his vision blurring—he had to leave immediately!
He ignored Vivian and tried to walk out, barely holding himself together.
Vivian, pushed away, was both shocked and angry. Even more unwilling to give up, she lunged forward again, this time directly grabbing Sawyer's arm and shrieking: "Mr. Scott! You can't leave! You drank my wine, you have to take responsibility!"
The scene instantly became chaotic and ugly.
The surrounding ladies all stared at this scene in shock, pointing and whispering.
Elizabeth stood to the side, watching coldly. Sawyer's reaction was within her expectations. With his pride and cunning, how could he possibly tolerate being schemed against with such underhanded methods? Vivian was digging her own grave.
Sawyer was entangled by Vivian, the drug effect getting more and more intense, almost breaking through his rational defenses. A trace of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes! He absolutely could not lose control here! And he definitely couldn't let this disgusting woman succeed!
He violently broke free from Vivian, using his last bit of clarity and strength, and leaped toward the artificial lake in the corner of the garden—not too deep!
Water splashed everywhere!
Sawyer's entire body plunged into the icy lake water!
The bone-chilling cold instantly enveloped him, temporarily suppressing the burning heat and desire churning inside him, and clearing his confused mind somewhat.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events! Vivian was so frightened that she stood frozen in place, her face deathly pale.
Elizabeth also raised her eyebrows slightly. Jumping into the lake? Sawyer, you're quite ruthless with yourself, and quite concerned about your reputation.
Soon, the bodyguards Sawyer had brought and the Windsor Family servants reacted, hurriedly jumping into the water to rescue him.
Sawyer was pulled out, soaking wet, shivering all over—half from cold, half from the lingering drug effects and rage. His face was ashen, his lips purple, but his eyes were frighteningly cold and sharp, like a beast about to strike.
He stared hard at Vivian, the murderous intent and disgust in that look making Vivian feel like she'd fallen into an ice cave, scared into collapsing on the ground.
Then his gaze swept over Elizabeth, standing not far away with a calm expression. Deep in his gray eyes churned even more complex emotions—scrutiny, suspicion, and a trace of anger at being dragged into trouble.
He didn't say a word. Supported by his bodyguards, wrapped in a blanket, disheveled yet carrying an inviolable dignity, he quickly left the Windsor Family villa.
The party was completely ruined.
The ladies whispered among themselves, looking at Vivian with eyes full of contempt and gossip.
Vivian sat collapsed on the ground, her whole body ice-cold. She knew she was finished.
Not only had her plan completely failed, but she'd also offended someone as terrifying as Sawyer!
Elizabeth sighed softly and said to Charles and Sophie, who had rushed over with equally grim faces: "Dad, Ms. Green, it seems Sophie was too enthusiastic today and frightened our distinguished guest. I'm also a bit tired, so I'll go back to my room to rest. I hope tomorrow's engagement party won't be affected."
She looked meaningfully at the devastated Vivian, then turned and elegantly left the scene of chaos.
Back in her room, Elizabeth locked the door, a cold smile appearing on her face.
Vivian got what she deserved, and Sawyer had unexpectedly stirred things up and taken a big hit himself.
Tomorrow's engagement party looked like it would be even more interesting than expected.
Sawyer was quite sinister—she really disliked him. It was good for him to suffer a bit.
Late at night, after an afternoon of drama, the Windsor Family villa finally fell into an exhausted and eerie quiet.
The servants were silent as cicadas in winter. Charles and Sophie were locked in the study with ashen faces, apparently plotting something. Vivian was locked in her room, crying and making a scene, cursing continuously.
Elizabeth was in her guest room, not yet asleep.
She sat at the vanity, listening to Lynx's real-time report through an encrypted communicator.
"Noel, surveillance shows Charles and Sophie have been in the study for almost two hours. Their voices are very low—can't make out the specific content, but they seem very agitated. A servant just brought food to Vivian's room, but she knocked it over. No movement now. Also, several suspicious figures were spotted outside the villa perimeter, seemingly casing the place. Based on their build and movements, they don't look like ordinary thugs—more like professionals." Lynx's voice was calm and clear.
"Looks like they still won't give up." Elizabeth's fingertips lightly tapped the table. "Vivian made such a fool of herself today and got on Sawyer's bad side—they must be desperate now. The original substitution plan probably won't work anymore. They might use more direct methods—like making me accidentally disappear before the engagement party, or fall seriously ill."
She paused and asked, "Any movement from Jacob?"
"Mr. Smith has tripled the number of people secretly protecting you. The villa is surrounded by a tight net. He himself seems somewhat irritable. After handling some business at the estate, he's been in his study and hasn't come out." Lynx answered.
Elizabeth could imagine Jacob's mood right now. His fiancée was staying at the Windsor Family home before the wedding, yet incidents kept happening one after another. With his temper, the fact that he'd held back until now without directly storming in with his people already showed he was giving her plenty of room to operate freely.
"Tell Mr. Smith's people that tonight, no matter what happens in the villa, as long as my life isn't in danger, hold position and don't alert them." Elizabeth instructed. "Also, Lynx, take two people and find a way to infiltrate the villa. Help me with something..."
She gave instructions in a low voice.