Chapter 267: Victoria’s Blind Love for Charlotte
Seraphina's POV
The guest room’s dim light flickered as I slumped into Leander’s arms, my body trembling just enough to sell the act. I’d known something was off with that champagne the moment I sniffed it—Charlotte, that blonde viper, had slipped something in. For the sake of the drama, I’d taken the tiniest sip, barely a taste, and played up the rest with seven parts pure acting. The two security guards by the door stood like stone, giving us space while Leander’s grip steadied me. His warmth was the only damn thing keeping me from breaking character.
“Sera, talk to me. You good? We can bolt to the hospital right now,” he pressed, his voice low, edged with panic. Those green eyes of his raked over my face, hunting for any crack in my facade. I saw raw fear there—fear for me, and for the little life growing inside me.
I forced a weak smile, clutching his hand to ground myself. “I’m fine, seriously. That sip wasn’t enough to do real damage.” My breath caught as I added, “I checked with the doc on the down-low earlier. She said there’s no… lasting harm.” My free hand drifted to my belly, a reflex Leander clocked instantly. The thought of Charlotte endangering our unborn kid sent a cold, vicious rage ripping through me.
“That bitch Charlotte crossed a goddamn line tonight,” Leander growled, his jaw so tight I swore it’d crack. “I don’t give a shit if they fucked with the security footage. I’ll dig up proof, and she’ll pay for laying a finger on you.” His knuckles went white as he balled a fist, anger pouring off him like heat. “Especially now, with you pregnant. She’s done.”
I pressed my hand over his, feeling the tension coiled under his skin. “Charging at her like a bull won’t do jack for us,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the fake tremor in my limbs. “I saved a sample of that champagne. Once we test it and get hard evidence, we’ll drag Charlotte’s sorry ass through the dirt in front of every power player in Apex.”
Leander’s hard edges softened, though his eyes still burned with fury. He pulled me closer, fingers weaving gently through my hair. “I’ll play it smart, I swear. No dumbass moves.” His gaze dropped to my stomach. “Your health—and our baby’s—comes first. Always.”
I closed my eyes, letting his presence sink in, a brief calm before the shitstorm.
A soft knock shattered the silence. The door creaked open, and in strutted Victoria, her polished face a mask of bullshit concern. “Seraphina, are you alright, dear?” she cooed, her sharp eyes scanning my pale face and Leander’s protective stance like a damn hawk.
She glided to the sofa, leaning in just enough to fake compassion. “You look awful, darling. Maybe you’ve been pushing too hard?” Her syrupy tone dripped with poison. “Young folks these days really need to watch themselves.”
Yeah, like your psycho daughter who drugs innocent guests, you hag? I bit back the snark, keeping my expression blank as a slate.
Victoria straightened, smoothing her overpriced dress. “Let me drive you home. It’s late.”
Her touch felt like a goddamn intrusion as she “helped” me up, light but invasive. Leander’s arm stayed locked around my waist, his tension screaming as we trudged to the parking lot.
In the car, Victoria twisted from the front seat, her eyes pinning me like a predator. “Seraphina, I’m so sorry for Charlotte’s behavior tonight,” she said, “She’s… immature, you know. I hope you won’t hold it against her.”
Immature? Drugging someone ain’t a tantrum, it’s a crime, I thought, keeping my cool on lock.
Her stare dissected me, hunting for a reaction. “Leander and Charlotte grew up together,” she purred, her voice thick with implication. “Our families have always been tight. The elders even hoped they’d…” She trailed off, dangling the bait like a pro. “But Leander’s always been stubborn about his choices.”
Her gaze lingered on our joined hands. “Family ties like ours run deep. Hard for outsiders to get.”
The word ‘outsider’ hit like a cheap shot, sharp and icy.
I flashed a bland smile. “You’re right, Mrs. Whitmore. I’m an outsider,” I said evenly. “And I’d never dream of meddling in Leander’s choices. That’s all on him.”
Leander’s grip tightened, his voice rock-steady as he cut in. “Victoria, I’ve chosen Sera, and I’d appreciate you respecting that shit.”
Victoria’s smile didn’t budge, but her eyes turned to cold steel. She pivoted with grace, pulling an embossed invitation from her purse. “I have a vacation villa with the best hot springs. Next week, I’m hosting a small gathering there, and I’d love for you both to join us,” she said, her voice sickeningly sweet.
Leander opened his mouth to shut it down, but I jumped in, taking the card with a polite nod. “Thanks, Victoria. We’d be thrilled to come.”
His confused stare burned into me, but I shot him a look that screamed trust me.
When her Bentley finally dropped us at my apartment, Victoria’s farewell was pure polished charm. “Until next week, then. Rest up, Seraphina.”
As her taillights faded, Leander whipped around, bewilderment all over his face. “What the actual fuck, Sera? Why agree to go to the vacation villa? They’re clearly up to some shady-ass shit.”
I smirked, a cold, dangerous edge creeping into my grin. “Because I’m bored as hell, Leander. And it’s about damn time I taught Charlotte a lesson she won’t forget.” My eyes narrowed to slits. “If she wants to play dirty with people’s lives, she’d better be ready to lose every thing she’s got.”
A sudden wave of dizziness—real this time—slammed into me. I gripped the elevator rail, vision swimming. Leander’s face snapped to pure alarm. “Sera!”
He caught me as my knees buckled, scooping me up with raw strength. “No more badass talk tonight. You’re resting, now,” he barked, no room for argument.
He carried me into the apartment, laying me on the bed with tender care, tucking the covers around me. Exhaustion clawed at my bones, but his presence kept me anchored.
“Whatever crazy plan you’ve got, I’m in,” he murmured, sitting beside me, his hand swallowing mine. “But promise me—your safety and our baby’s come first. Always.”
His eyes blazed with fierce, unyielding resolve. “No one touches you or our kid and walks away. I’ll burn down every obstacle in your path.”
I squeezed his hand, a spark of fire flaring through me. “I promise,” I whispered, and I damn well meant every word.