Chapter 1036 Jolie watched Selena's retreating figure and shook her head in frustration.
What could she do? Selena's emotional wounds ran deep, and no matter what Jolie tried, it seemed impossible to bridge the gap between them.
Returning to the party, she glanced around at the crowd of men and women mingling with champagne flutes in hand, but her mind wasn't on the event. She casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and sipped it slowly. What she didn't notice was a man standing across the room, watching her. As she drank, his eyes darkened, and he licked his lips suggestively.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter finishing about half the glass, Jolie started feeling strange. Her body was growing weak, her skin hot and feverish, and a strange itchiness spread through her veins.
Her brows furrowed in confusion. What was happening? She headed toward the restroom, but as she rounded a corner, her legs gave out, and she had to grab the wall for support to keep from collapsing.
"Did someone drug me?" she murmured, her face paling.
This was the Cooper family's event-how could someone dare to pull such a stunt here? Who would do this to her? Biting down on her tongue to stay alert, Jolie tried to think clearly. Her purse, with her phone, was back in the lounge. She needed to get it and leave immediately, but in her current state, she wasn't sure she could make it that far. Stumbling into the restroom, she turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on her face. The icy water helped sharpen her focus for a moment, but the heat inside her body didn't subside.
"You're in the wrong restroom," a deep, steady voice said from behind her, calm but utterly devoid of warmth. Jolie gripped the sink tightly, her head bowed as she struggled to steady herself against the overwhelming heat coursing through her body.
"I-I'll leave in a second," she managed to say, doing her best to ignore the rich, soothing voice behind her. Gavin stood there, watching the disheveled woman before him. Her face was wet, her expression strained, clearly from splashing herself with cold water moments ago.
"Miss, are you alright?" Gavin asked, his tone neutral but with a hint of concern. After all, this was the Cooper family's event, and any trouble here would reflect poorthem. Despite not wanting to get involved, he couldn't ignore the situation.
on "I told you, I'm leaving in a minute. Can you just stop bothering me?" Jolie snapped, feeling the man's voice was, both irritating and distractingly pleasant. She had already spoken so harshly-why wouldn't he just leave her alone? If he kept talking, she might lose control.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmGavin's brow furrowed, but he decided not to interfere further. Without another word, he turned and left the restroom.
Jolie exhaled sharply, feeling a wave of relief. She splashed more cold water on her face, managing to regain a bit of clarity before stepping out.
But to her dismay, a man was waiting not far from the restroom, like a predator lying in wait.
"Jolie, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? How about I take you to see a doctor?" the man said as he V approached, wrapping an arm around waist His hand wandered, clearly not respectful. "Get off me!" Jolie shouted, recognizing him immediately. He was one of her persistent admirers, someone she had repeatedly turned down, yet he never took no for an answer.
The fact that he had conveniently appeared at this moment made her suspicious had he been the one to drug her?
Instead of backing off, the man tightened his hold, gazing at her Xta om flushed, angry face. him, she' & angry looked both alluring and vulnerable, her resistance only making him more eager. "Jolie, you're not yourself right now.
I'll take you to a doctor. Don't worry, I won't leave you like this," he said, ignoring her protests as he tried to lead her out, holding her against her will