Chapter 240

Victoria Roscente and Bianca Semona stood side by side on the second-floor balcony.

Their gazes pierced through the crowd, locking onto Vivian Laurent with venomous intensity.

Bianca took a delicate sip of champagne, her lips curling into a cold smile. "Victoria, she actually dared to humiliate you. The woman has no sense of self-preservation."

Victoria's nails dug deep into her palms.

The memory of her public disgrace at the piano flashed through her mind, igniting a vicious glint in her eyes.

"Bianca, I need your help."

She retrieved a small blue pill from her clutch, its surface glinting ominously under the chandelier lights.

Bianca's pupils contracted. "Is that—"

"A little something to turn the virtuous maiden into a wanton slut." Victoria's smile turned predatory. "Later, make sure everyone gathers in the first room on the left."

Bianca hesitated. "What if—"

"There are no what-ifs." Victoria cut her off. "I've already arranged for five men to be waiting inside."

Her gaze trailed down Vivian's slender neck.

"I want her begging for it like a common whore in front of everyone."

Bianca swallowed hard before nodding in agreement.

Smoothing her expression into one of practiced elegance, Victoria descended the staircase.

She plucked two glasses of red wine from a passing waiter's tray.

With practiced subtlety, she dropped the pill into one of the glasses.

The wine dissolved the pill without a trace.

"Vivian."

Victoria approached the center of the room, offering the tainted glass with a gracious smile.

Vivian arched an eyebrow. "More lessons to impart, Miss Roscente?"

"My behavior earlier was unbecoming." Victoria extended the spiked wine. "Consider this my peace offering."

She deliberately raised her voice for the surrounding guests to hear.

"Let's put our differences behind us."

Vivian accepted the glass but didn't drink immediately.

She swirled the crimson liquid with an enigmatic smile. "How remarkably your tune has changed."

Victoria's pulse quickened, but she maintained her composure. "I genuinely wish to be friends."

She drained her own glass in one dramatic swallow.

"Your turn."

All eyes turned to Vivian.

Vivian studied the dark red wine for a long moment before finally smiling.

"Since it's a toast to reconciliation..."

She slowly raised the glass to her lips.