Chapter 7 - THE POISONED TOAST
Daniel held the champagne glass beneath the chandelier.
The residue was barely visible.
A careless guest would never have noticed it.
Olivia’s eyes remained fixed on him.
“Drink,” she whispered.
Daniel smiled.
Then he deliberately bumped into a passing waiter.
The glass fell.
It shattered against the marble floor.
Champagne spread across the white stone.
Olivia’s jaw tightened.
“My mistake,” Daniel said.
A second waiter immediately appeared with another glass.
Daniel accepted it but did not drink.
Senator Mercer began his toast.
He spoke about loyalty, legacy, and the union of two powerful families.
Every word sounded carefully chosen.
Daniel watched Noah move through the ballroom.
His friend quietly collected several champagne flutes from the head table.
When Noah reached Emma’s place, he removed her glass before she could touch it.
Olivia noticed.
She placed one hand against Daniel’s chest.
“You’re embarrassing me.”
“Your wedding will survive.”
“Our wedding.”
Daniel looked at the guests.
“Is that what this is?”
Applause rose as Senator Mercer finished speaking.
The band began to play.
Olivia pulled Daniel onto the dance floor.
They moved beneath the lights while photographers circled them.
Her smile never changed.
“You should stop fighting.”
“You should stop poisoning people.”
“You have no proof.”
“I don’t need proof to refuse a drink.”
“You’ll need proof when everyone sees how unstable you’ve become.”
She rested her head against his shoulder for the cameras.
“By tomorrow morning, you’ll be confused.”
Daniel’s blood ran cold.
“About what?”
“About what happened tonight.”
He moved his hand lower against her back.
“You drugged something else.”
Olivia said nothing.
“The food?”
She smiled against his shoulder.
“Not the food.”
Daniel’s mind raced.
He had eaten breakfast at the estate.
He had used the private bathroom.
He had taken the vitamin packet Olivia had left beside his coffee.
His pulse suddenly felt too fast.
The room seemed warmer.
The lights above him stretched into bright lines.
Olivia lifted her face.
“There it is.”
Daniel forced himself to keep moving.
“What did you give me?”
“Something that will make you frightened, aggressive, and confused.”
His vision shifted.
Guests at the edge of the dance floor became distorted shapes.
He saw Noah trying to reach him.
The private guards blocked the way.
Olivia suddenly screamed.
Daniel felt her pull away.
She threw herself backward and crashed onto the floor.
The music stopped.
Every guest turned.
Olivia clutched her wrist.
“Daniel, stop!”
He had not touched her.
But from across the ballroom, it looked as though he had thrown his bride to the ground.
Senator Mercer rushed forward.
Cameras continued recording.
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Olivia looked up with tears in her eyes.
“My husband needs help.”
