Chapter 1428:
Karen nearly jumped with excitement.
“Of course, Mom! I’ll talk to Elena and make sure you meet her. Everything will be cleared up.”
For a long time, Karen had been troubled by the fact that her parents and Theo stood at odds with Wesley. That was because she saw the truth plain as day—the future of the family rested squarely with Wesley—and even Gerald acknowledged him. If they kept pushing back against Wesley, they were only setting themselves up for ruin.
Karen felt a wave of relief wash over her now that her mother was ready to make peace with Wesley and Elena.
Karen reached for her phone, but Zoie caught her arm.
“When you ask Elena to lunch, leave out the part about me coming along.”
Confused, Karen frowned.
“Why would I keep that from her?” After all, wasn’t her mother planning to apologize face-to-face?
Zoie shook her head.
“Think carefully. If you mention me, will she really come? Just tell her it’s a casual meeting with you. Once she shows up, I’ll join in and apologize. Much simpler, isn’t it?”
The reasoning struck Karen as sound, so she merely told Elena she wanted to talk, inviting her to lunch at Peak Hotel’s restaurant.
Elena agreed immediately. Excited, Karen left with Zoie, but by the time they reached the hotel, Elena still hadn’t arrived. Zoie saw an opportunity and slipped a small packet of powder into Elena’s glass of water, stirring it until the liquid looked clear. Once she finished, Zoie excused herself, claiming she needed to use the restroom—and slipped out of the restaurant altogether.
When Elena finally arrived, only Karen was waiting.
Karen waved her over.
Ⱡ𝗮𝗍𝙚𝕤𝖙 ς𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝗲𝖗𝗌 ɢ𝗮𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀․𝚌𝗈𝗆
“Elena, over here.”
After Elena settled in, Karen nudged the glass closer.
“Have a drink first. We’ll decide what to order in a bit.”
Thirsty, Elena raised the glass and drank nearly half in one go. She looked over and asked, “Is there any reason we shouldn’t go ahead and order now?”
Karen shot a glance toward the restroom, wondering what was taking her mother so long to return.
“Give me a moment, Elena. I’ll be right back,” she said, hurrying away.
No sooner had Karen left than Elena’s vision began to swim. Darkness swallowed her completely.
Joseph stepped out from his hiding place and signaled to his men, instructing them to take Elena up to the suite on the top floor.
Looking down at her limp figure, Joseph’s mouth curved with satisfaction. He pulled out his phone.
“Mr. Duncan, your present is waiting in the suite. Enjoy yourself.”
At that very moment, Torin’s plane had just touched down. Fifteen minutes later, he strode into the Peak Hotel, where someone handed him the room key. He unlocked the suite and slipped inside. A woman lay on the bed, her back turned. With a quiet click, the door shut behind him. His steps were deliberate as he crossed the room until her face came into view.
.
.
.