The Unshackled Queen: Never Say Never by Gilbert Soysal

In the bathroom, Hannah hurried into a stall and retched, expelling the wine she’d hastily swallowed.

Staring at her reflection, she saw that her face had drained of color, her eyes reddened.

Tears welled up and trickled down her cheeks.

After washing her hands, Hannah dabbed at her cheeks, her throat raw from the alcohol’s burn.

Though it wasn’t healthy, it was the only way to outsmart Melina.

When Hannah returned from the bathroom, Bryson immediately tell what she had done.

Without a word, he produced a blue silk handkerchief from his pocket, stepping forward to shield her with his tall frame.

Hannah met Bryson’s gaze as he approached with the handkerchief.

Its touch against her skin felt cool and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Seems like there was something in that wine,” Bryson remarked, more statement than question.

Accepting his gesture, Hannah allowed him to dab at her face with the cloth.

“Possibly.

I can’t say for sure what was in it,” she replied honestly.

Bryson’s demeanor didn’t fault Hannah for her impulsive actions; instead, his expression grew colder as he pocketed the handkerchief.

His gaze bore into Hannah, growing increasingly frosty.

“I don’t see the point in partnering with the Glyn family.

”

unspoken concern, Hannah shook

“I’ll handle it.

wouldn’t want anyone to mistake me for an easy

”

Lydia approached, her

and I kept

he discreetly signaled a waitress and

and I split

an eye on Tyshawn while Brayden

me that after talking to Tyshawn, the waitress took the

”

worry grew more

convinced there’s something wrong with the

Did you drink it?”

at Bryson, their

wine was

to Lydia, Hannah

“Yes, I drank it”

need

Lydia’s eyes widened as she grabbed Hannah’s

to get you to the hospital

what they slipped into your drink? It might

”

said, gently pulling Lydia

“It can’t be poison.

Melina drank it too.