Chapter 117 Karma Is A Bitch

Chapter 117 Karma Is A Bitch
Ginnie

The champagne flute felt cold against my fingers as I stood near the edge of the ballroom, surrounded by soft music, and the quiet laughter of women who had never needed to worry about where their next meal would come from.

I slowly lifted the glass to my mouth. Just as the rim was about to touch my lips, something caught my eye. 

Across the garden, Kenna was watching me. 

There was something almost expectant in her expression as she stood there, pretending to be engaged in a conversation with another woman.

I had learned a long time ago that the most dangerous people weren't always the ones who shouted.

Sometimes, they were the ones who smiled.

My gaze dropped briefly to the champagne flute before returning to Kenna. Then a thought suddenly struck me.

What if Kenna wants me to drink this?

And judging by the way she was watching me, she wanted to make sure I did.

Interesting.

I didn’t let my expression change.

Instead, I slowly raised the glass again, pretending I was about to take a sip.

Kenna’s eyes remained fixed on me. As though sensing my eyes on her, Kenna quickly shifted her gaze.

A faint smile curved across my lips.

So that was her game.

Fine.

Let’s play.

I turned toward a passing servant.

“Excuse me.”

The servant stopped.

“Could you take this away?” I spoke quietly, handing her the glass. “I don't want champagne.”

The movement was so ordinary that even I almost believed it meant nothing. Without another word, the servant took the glass and walked away.

I immediately picked up another flute from the tray she was carrying and raised it to my lips, taking a tiny sip.

From across the room, Kenna’s eyes met mine again. I quickly turned away before she could study my face. 

A few minutes passed.

I continued nodding, smiling, and pretending to listen whenever someone spoke to me. But part of my attention remained on Kenna.

Then I noticed her moving toward the drinks table. She spoke to one of the women beside her, laughed at something she said, and casually reached for a champagne flute.

She lifted it to her mouth.

For one brief second, her gaze moved toward me. 

I immediately looked away, pretending to be listening to another woman discussing some charity foundation.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Kenna take a long drink. She gulped the champagne, in one go.

For a few seconds, nothing happened.

Then Kenna's expression changed instantly. A tiny crease appeared between her brows as her fingers tightened around the glass.

She looked around the garden, panic flashing across her face. I excused myself from the conversation and slipped through the crowd.

I followed at a distance until Kenna hurried away from the gathering. By the time I reached the hallway, Kenna was nowhere to be seen. 

My gaze swept across the garden until it sighted her again. She was moving quickly, one hand pressed against her stomach.

I quietly followed the hurried footsteps until they disappeared behind a door. My hand hovered over it before I gently pushed the door open.

And then I saw her.

Kenna stood inside, one hand pressed against the wall while the other clutched her stomach. The moment she heard the door open she turned sharply. 

Her eyes widened when she saw me.

“What…” The word barely left her lips. “What are you doing here?”

I closed the door behind me.

“Hello, Kenna.”

For the briefest moment, she stared at me. Then understanding slowly crept across her face. 

Her eyes widened even further.

“No.”

A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

“Yes.”

“You…” She tried to straighten herself, but her knees weakened. “You poisoned my drink.”

“You’re the one who poisoned your own drink, Kenna.” I shot back. “You thought I was stupid enough to drink something after watching you stare at me like that?”

Her breathing became ragged.

“I didn't…”

“You didn't do what?” I stepped closer. “You were so focused on making sure I drank it that you never realized the person who actually drank it would be you.”

Kenna staggered back, shock etched across her face as she looked at me. Almost as though I had suddenly become someone she didn't recognize.

Perhaps I had.

The woman who would have stood there helplessly while she carried out her evil plan was gone.

“Help me.” Her voice cracked. “…please help me.”

I crouched in front of her.

For the first time since I’d known Kenna, I could see genuine fear in her eyes. The same fear she had once put into mine.

“You wanted me dead.”

She shook her head weakly.

“You don't understand.”

“Oh, I understand perfectly.” I stared into her eyes. “You wanted me to drink that champagne.”

Her lips trembled.

“I didn’t know…”

“That’s the problem with people who think they are smarter than everyone else.”

I reached into my purse and pulled out the small bottle. The moment Kenna’s gaze locked onto it, something flickered across her face.

“Is that—?”

“An antidote.”

Her hand immediately reached toward me.

“Give it to me.”

I held it between two fingers, keeping it just out of her reach.

“Why should I?”

“You can't…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “You can’t let me die.”

A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. 

“That's interesting.” I leaned closer until there was barely any distance between us. “You were perfectly comfortable doing exactly that to me.”

“I wanted to get revenge on you for slapping me.” She coughed violently, her body shaking. 

For one terrible second, something inside me wanted to turn around and walk away.

She deserved to understand what it felt like to be helpless. But watching someone die right in front of me was different.

Especially when I had the power to stop it.

My gaze dropped to the bottle in my hand. Then back at her.

“I am not as heartless as you.” I opened the bottle and tossed it onto the floor beside her. “Always remember that.”

Kenna weakly clawed toward it. She dragged herself across the floor and grabbed it, struggling to open it with trembling hands.

Finally, she managed to open it and took the antidote. Then she closed her eyes. 

For several seconds, nothing happened. Slowly, her breathing began to settle and the trembling in her fingers eased. She remained on the floor, staring at the bottle in her hand.

I crouched beside her one last time.

“Listen carefully.” My voice hardened. “The only reason I saved you is that I refuse to become the kind of person you are.”

Kenna slowly lifted her eyes toward me.

“But if you ever try this again…” A quiet laugh escaped me, but there was no humor in it. “…I won’t be so kind.”

Before she could respond, I stood and turned toward the door. A few steps later, I stopped, glancing back over my shoulder.

“And next time you decide to play with my life, Kenna…” A faint smile touched my lips. “Make sure you can live with the consequences.”

I opened the door and walked away.

I didn’t look back.

Not even once.

Behind me, Kenna remained on the floor, clutching the empty bottle.

For the first time, Kenna knew exactly what it felt like to be powerless.

And this time, she had no one to blame but herself.