Chapter 5 - Sleight of Hand"Oh! I’m so clumsy," Clara gasped, deliberately tipping her napkin off the table. It fluttered down near Julian’s polished leather shoes.
The moment Julian instinctively bent down to pick it up, Clara’s hand moved with lightning speed. She slid the poisoned glass into the wide side pocket of her maternity trench coat draped over her chair, replacing it with an identical glass of plain water she had hidden under her napkin seconds earlier.
Julian stood up, handing her the napkin with a charming smile. "Here you go, babe."
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"Thank you, darling," Clara said softly. She raised the fresh glass to her lips and took a slow, deliberate sip.
Julian’s eyes glinted with subtle triumph. He watched her swallow, believing he had just administered her death sentence. Clara lowered the glass, wiping her mouth, hiding the cold, sharp fury burning in her chest.
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Chapter 6 - An Unexpected AllyAn hour later, under the pretext of an urgent prenatal check-up, Clara drove her SUV into the underground parking structure of downtown’s medical center. She didn't head to her obstetrician. Instead, she took a private elevator down to a secluded subterranean level.
Chapter 7 - Venom in the NestFour hours later, inside Ethan’s unmarked sedan parked in a quiet alley, the lab results arrived on Ethan's encrypted tablet.
Chapter 8 - Playing the FoolClara returned home that evening acting weak. She limped into the living room, clinging to the doorframes, exaggerating a tremble in her fingers.
Chapter 9 - The Ghost in the SafeAt midnight, the mansion was silent save for the low hum of the air conditioning. Julian was sound asleep beside her, lulled into a sense of total victory by Clara’s convincing performance.
Chapter 10 - The Serpent's GalaThe following night was the annual Sterling Enterprises Charity Gala—a glittering event where Julian planned to make his official play for sole control of the board. He had assumed Clara would be bedridden, too ill to attend.
Chapter 11 - Whispers in the DarkDuring the cocktail hour, Clara maneuvered Victoria into the soundproof private VIP lounge near the back of the venue.
