Third person pov
Ashley, clearly enjoying everything happening around her, forced a smile and deliberately added pressure to an already uncomfortable Lena.
"Just celebrate with Evans today," she said sweetly. "He'll definitely drive you home. After all, you'll be husband and wife in just a few days. He won't let anything happen to you, even if you drink too much."
Freya echoed her words with a grin. "Yes, Lena. Drink a little with Evans so he doesn't feel sad. I'm sure he'll take you home himself. He loves you so much we're sometimes jealous." She winked at Lena.
The statement made Lena blush furiously as she turned to look at Evans.
Evans swallowed the urge to gag and forced a convincing smile before facing her.
"Yes, beautiful. You don't need to worry about anything," he said warmly. "I'll take you home myself. I'll be your husband soon enough, so what better time to start my duties?"
With practiced ease, he uncorked the bottle and gently took Lena's glass from her hand, pouring more wine into it.
Mesmerized by his smile, Lena didn't protest. They would be married soon, there was no reason to keep her guard up anymore.
She nodded and drank the wine in one gulp, unaware of the subtle shift in the atmosphere.
She felt happy, relieved even. Soon, she and Evans would finally fulfill the promises they had made to each other.
Evans kept refilling her glass, and Lena kept drinking, encouraged by his soft words and the cheers around her. Before long, a strange heat spread through her body, and her head began to spin.
Clutching her purse, she tried to steady herself. "Evans," she murmured, "I feel dizzy. I think we should go home. I don't feel well."
She looked up, but Evans was no longer beside her.
Instead, she saw him a short distance away, holding Ashley far too closely. Even through her haze, Lena could hear fragments of their conversation.
"She got what she deserved," Ashley said quietly. "If she'd just given you what we needed, we wouldn't have had to do this."
"She disgusts me," Evans replied coldly. "I can't pretend anymore. I just want the company finalized and to be done with her—so I can finally be with you."
He pulled Ashley into his arms, smiling flirtatiously. "You're the only woman I've ever loved."
Lena's heart shattered.
Ashley pulled away with a sly smile and walked toward Lena, who was too weak to move. Somewhere in her foggy mind, Lena heard herself whisper, "Why? When did this start?"
Ashley bent closer, her smile widening. "I've hated you for years. You always looked at me like I needed saving, as if I were beneath you."
That wasn't true. Lena had loved her like a sister.
"I decided to take everything from you," Ashley continued softly. "Rest now. When you wake up, your life will never be the same."
She straightened and walked back to Evans.
"Evans… don't you think this is too much?" Ashley asked suddenly, tears shimmering in her eyes.
Evans studied her expression, utterly taken in. "You're too kind," he said. "After everything she did to you, you still want mercy?"
His voice hardened. "Don't worry. I promised you justice, and I'll deliver it."
With a sharp gesture, he summoned a group of men and gave them quiet instructions before turning away.
To the others, Freya and James he promised them promotions, favors, and opportunities, if they seal their mouth and forget everything they saw and heard that night.
each agreed to seal their mouth.
Smiles were exchanged. Heads nodded.
Ashley and Evans left together, they both decided to celebrate their victory by spending a night together elsewhere.