Chapter 358: Hangover Tea
At the dining table, Bella Foster still acted affectionately toward Purple Summers, occasionally chit-chatting with her.
One moment she asked Purple about the dishes, next she brought up the final exams. She pursued conversation relentlessly, leading outsiders to mistakenly think they were close friends.
Purple maintained a gentle smile throughout, responding perfunctorily in a neither warm nor cold manner, spending most of her time eating in silence.
This made it look as if Bella was currying favor with Purple.
Bella was fuming!
—Such arrogance! Who was she putting on this superior act for? She would see how superior she acted later!
Thinking of Purple’s forthcoming predicament, Bella’s rage finally began to subsede.
Towards the end of the meal, the newlyweds-to-be came over to their table to offer a toast. As this table was filled with the younger guests, they were the last to be toasted.
With the departure of the groom and bride-to-be, the meal was nearing its end.
Bella suddenly said to Purple, “Does Young Master Forrester know you? I saw him smile at you when he was toasting just now.”
Purple hadn’t responded yet when Jane McCain, seated next to her, clenched her fist in anger.
What a spiteful thing to say!
Young Master Forrester was the groom-to-be at today’s engagement party.
If anyone overheard Bella’s words, they might mistakenly believe there was some intimate relationship between Purple and the groom-to-be. Salacious rumors spread like wildfire. By the time everyone knew, Purple would lose not only her reputation but also offend both families involved in the engagement.
Purple, maintaining her nonchalant demeanor, wiped the corners of her mouth and replied, “Young Master Forrester is too happy today and smiles at everyone.”
Bella masked her face with a smile, “Is that so, perhaps I was mistaken.”
The dinner was followed by a Western-style dance.
Many young men and women entered the dance floor, dancing to their heart’s content.
The newlyweds were absent. After toasting, the groom-to-be and bride-to-be each retreated to their respective rooms in the hotel for rest, outfit change, and makeup touch-ups – they would take part in a waltz under everyone’s blessings later.
Purple and Zara Jameson and Jane McCain took a seat in a quiet spot to chat.
“This Bella Foster absolutely has a hidden agenda!” Jane McCain was furious, upset about Bella’s veiled accusation against Purple earlier. “For no reason, she wouldn’t just blurt that out. She must be up to something! Purple was right in suspecting the wine; I believe she’s on the money.”
“But we all drank that bottle of wine, and so did she,” Zara Jameson said, puzzled.
“The drug must have been in the cup,” Purple said. “She fetched me a new cup and deliberately poured the wine in front of me, not wanting anyone to suspect the wine, only she overdid it, lending itself to suspicion.”
“She wants to humiliate you in public?” The thought frightened Zara Jameson.
Was Bella planning to make Purple vomit? Or faint? …Or was it some even more unsightly drug?
Jane McCain was livid, cussing “She’s truly disgusting!”
“There should be more to come,” Purple chuckled, her eyes calm as still water. “If she only wanted to humiliate me, there was no need for her to say what she did earlier. Watch, Bella Foster’s tricks are far from over.”
Around this time, Jane McCain’s visage of indignation faded away as she shot a look at Purple and Zara Jameson.
Purple and Zara Jameson almost simultaneously turned around, only to see Bella Foster rushing towards them, a cup of tea in hand.
“Ms. Summers! Can you help me deliver this to Young Master Graves’s room?”
Bella Foster looked rather anxious, not allowing any room for negotiation as she stuffed the teacup into Purple’s hand.
“This is hangover tea. Young Master Graves drank a bit too much earlier, and I’ve been told to deliver it to him. But I’ve just received a call about some urgent matter at home and they’re rushing me to come back, Miss Summers, please…”