Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 163 You're Losing Your Mind

Richard finally let go of me once the waiters carrying drinks walked away.

I almost suffocated. I gasped for air like I'd been underwater for too long.

Richard, the jerk, stood there with his arms crossed, looking all smug like his plan had worked.

"What did you put in those drinks?" I demanded.

Richard shrugged. "It's not deadly. Why are you freaking out?"

I glared at him for a few seconds before turning to leave.

I thought maybe I could still stop it.

But Richard grabbed me. With a creepy smile, he stepped in front of me and lazily threatened, "Thinking of warning them? Afraid I'll shut you up for good?"

I figured he wouldn't dare kill me. Richard had done time in prison and probably didn't want to go back.

He laughed casually. "Actually, I only messed with two drinks. By now, they should've been handed out. Who gets them is just a matter of luck."

Ten minutes later, he finally let me go.

But it was already too late.

People were sitting around the bonfire in small groups, grilling barbecue and chatting. Everyone's drinks had been refilled several times.

"Emily, what's taking you so long with the pepper? Hurry up and pass it to me," Bella said.

With empty hands, I stammered, "I, I forgot to bring it."

"You're not even in menopause yet. How come your memory is already so bad?" Bella teased. "I'll go get it," I said, turning around. But Bella stopped me again.

"Forget it, let the waiter fetch it."

She called a waiter to get it.

I plopped back down. Richard sauntered out, looking like he was waiting for a show to start.

A lot of people showed up at the bonfire party. Some folks chose other activities like playing cards or soaking in the hot springs. The few employees who did come left after a while. So in the end, it was just a small group of us. Ethan, Zachary, Faye, and I were at our table.

Jason was sitting on a long bench right beside us.

Richard perched on a chair a bit farther off, while Bella and Lacey were firing up the barbecue grill.

Richard was the most out of place since he wasn't chatting with us.

But he sat there with his legs crossed, looking extremely content.

I knew he was waiting to see how things turned out.

I had no clue who drank those two spiked drinks. But it looked like Ethan's drink was untouched.

"Don't worry, I followed my wife's advice and didn't drink," he said with a smile, probably noticing me eyeing his glass.

Faye had been sitting quietly, wearing a hat and keeping her head down, almost like she wasn't even there.

then she suddenly lifted her head and softly said, "Ethan, I'm feeling a bit chilly. I want

haven't eaten anything," Ethan

you bring me some food later, Emily? I'm not feeling well and want to lie down for a

no,

the grilled skewers on a

pro. If it doesn't taste

the first to grab a skewer and take a bite. Smiling, he praised it. "It's delicious, even

help but laugh, "Isn't that a bit

me, let everyone else try,"

a new skill. If

selling barbecue,

seems to be really into bread," Ethan suddenly chimed

this, I noticed

of bread on the table, which Zachary had ordered, and he was

first time I had dinner at Zachary's house, when he peeled shrimp for Bella, there was also a loaf

home, he either has bread and coffee or

coughing, I

hand and pressing a fist to his lips with the other, the wine in his

have a cold?" Lacey

"It's fine, I haven't taken any antibiotics. Alcohol can ward off the

Zachary started talking about

of food to bring

but she wasn't inside. A cleaning

I carried the food towards

with the natural landscape, featuring large pools that could fit a crowd and

along the hot springs. By chance, I looked up and saw someone

stopped about three feet behind

Why are you

around, having taken off her hat

much more haggard, likely tormented mentally over these

such an ordeal at a young age, I

hardships in life. Forget those unhappy pasts. We

with a cold, impassive gaze. "Was it all your

I was stunned.

thought she might see me as insincere, but I didn't expect her

This was utterly

as if I were a heinous

to lose everything? Let me tell you, I may be dirty, but Ethan won't mind. Do you

you kidding me? You wish I

explain, "Think whatever you want. It seems you don't want to eat, so I'm

previously cold face now showing a

whether Ethan cares more about

I felt a shiver

her off, but she

slowly, her hold

if you pushed me off the cliff? Would Ethan forgive you?

her back. "Don't be crazy; your

shook me off, laughing maniacally, and stepped closer

there dumbfounded, completely at a

that moment, someone suddenly rushed over, grabbing her just in time and