Chapter 6
809words
A woman sat perched on the living room sofa, draped in what was clearly this season's Chanel, her makeup flawless, her posture runway-perfect.
When she saw me, a flicker of contempt crossed her eyes before she masked it with a practiced smile.
"So you're the Sullivan girl they sent for the substitute marriage? I'm Vivian Woods, a close friend of Ethan's."
She emphasized "close friend" with a possessiveness that couldn't be missed.
I nodded curtly. "Miss Woods, Mr. Holt isn't feeling well and needs rest. He's not receiving visitors. Please leave."
The smile on her face froze mid-wattage.
"Not receiving visitors? I came specifically to see him. Since when am I considered a visitor? I've never needed permission to see Ethan before."
As she spoke, she grabbed the thermos beside her and made for the stairs.
I stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Miss Woods, have some dignity. This is the Holt residence, and I am Mr. Holt's lawfully wedded wife. When I say he's unavailable, he's unavailable."
I straightened my spine, channeling Ethan's icy demeanor as best I could.
Vivian Woods gaped at me, her face draining of color before flushing with rage.
She clearly hadn't expected me—a mere replacement bride—to stand up to her.
"You!" She jabbed a manicured finger at me, sputtering for several seconds. "Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a pawn the Sullivans used for their social climbing! Do you honestly think Ethan could ever look twice at someone like you?"
"Whether my husband is interested in me is our business, not yours," I replied coolly. "As for you, Miss Woods—Ethan has made it clear he doesn't want to see you. Yet here you are, forcing your presence on him. Isn't that a bit desperate?"
"You're lying!" she hissed, trembling with fury. "Ethan would never dismiss me like that!"
"Don't believe me? Call him yourself." I gestured toward the house phone with mock politeness.
Vivian's face cycled between ghostly pale and furious red. In the end, she didn't dare make the call.
She glared at me with pure hatred and slammed the thermos onto the coffee table.
"Fine. This isn't over!"
With that, she stormed out, her designer heels stabbing the floor with each step.
I watched her go, exhaling a shaky breath of relief.
[Ding! Side quest completed! Reward: Target's Affection Points +5! Current Affection Points: -85.]
Me: "…"
So it was -90 before?
Just how much did this man hate me?!
I picked up the abandoned thermos and headed back upstairs.
Ethan Holt was propped against the headboard reviewing documents. He didn't even look up when I entered.
"Is she gone?"
"Yes." I placed the thermos on the bedside table. "She left this soup for you. Would you like some?"
Only then did he look up, eyeing the thermos with cold disdain.
"Throw it out."
"What? But it looks—"
"I said throw it out." His tone left no room for argument.
I didn't dare argue. I took the thermos to the bathroom.
When I opened the lid, the rich aroma of chicken soup wafted up.
The golden broth had red goji berries floating on top—clearly simmered for hours.
Pouring it down the drain seemed like such a waste.
As I hesitated, the system suddenly blared an alert.
[URGENT WARNING! Soup contains traces of aconitine—a neurotoxin that paralyzes the nervous system. Long-term consumption leads to heart failure! Destroy immediately!]
I nearly dropped the thermos, my hands suddenly shaking.
Aconitine?
Was Vivian Woods trying to poison Ethan?
I sucked in a sharp breath, ice crawling down my spine.
This woman with her perfect smile and designer clothes was actually trying to murder him!
I didn't waste another second. I dumped the entire contents into the toilet and flushed repeatedly, making sure not a drop remained.
I walked out with the empty thermos to find Ethan watching me, his documents set aside.
"What took you so long?"
"I… I didn't want to waste it, so I drank it myself," I lied.
The truth—that someone was slowly poisoning him—was too terrifying to blurt out.
If he thought I was lying or trying to cause drama between him and Vivian, I'd be finished.
Ethan Holt stared at me, momentarily stunned by my words.
Something complex and unreadable flashed in his eyes.
"You're certainly… not picky about food," he finally said after a long pause.
[Ding! Affection Points with target +10! Current Affection Points: -75.]
[Ding! Target's Villain Meter decreased by 3%! Current Villain Meter: 91%!]
I was taken aback.
Just because I supposedly drank that soup?
Did he already know something was wrong with the soup? Was that why he told me to throw it away?
Had he been testing me?
My mind raced with questions I couldn't answer.
