Chapter 35 Schemes.
A soft breeze kissed Tessa’s skin as she walked through the garden. The scent of the fresh flowers was refreshing. She almost forgot why she went there and sat down to relax.
The dinner party was an outdoor event in the beautiful garden of the imperial hotel. There was an open white tent with fairy lights on the ceiling. Several round tables and chairs
were scattered around the place in a formal manner. The linen on the tables and chairs was pure white and silver centrepieces were placed on the table with assorted flowers.
There was no moon tonight, but the stars brightened up the sky as they twinkled every now and
then.
After talking to several businessmen and making appointments to meet them for project proposals, Tessa began to look for Jerry. He had disappeared after introducing her to some potential clients and she hadn’t seen him since.
She was about to enter the hotel and look for him when she spotted someone at a hidden spot in the garden.
For some reason, her stomach twisted when she saw who it was.
It was Serena Winston!
Tessa could only see her side profile but she could tell that she was talking to someone.
However, the person was standing behind a pillar and Tessa couldn’t see who it was.
She took out her phone and got a picture before sending it to Michelle. She then typed a message and sent it too.
[Look who I’ve found at the dinner party. Is she still being invited to these events despite her father going bankrupt? OMG, what if she’s stalking me and still wants to fight with me because of Aaron?]
Tessa’s phone immediately began to ring and she picked up without checking who it was, saying, ” No need to be alarmed. She probably doesn’t know I’m here. It’s just a coincidence.”
“What coincidence? Who’s there? Are you in danger?”
Tessa furrowed her eyebrows when she heard Aaron’s worried voice instead of Michelle’s.
She looked at her phone and saw that it was Aaron who had called
“Sorry, I thought I was talking to Michelle,” she explained. “Why are you calling? Is something wrong with the kids?”
“No, they are fine. I was checking up on you to see how you’re doing and if you’re having fun. I miss you. What were you talking about earlier? What is not a coincidence?”
Tessa sighed and found an empty seat. When she settled at a good spot, she replied, “I saw Serena a few minutes ago. But she didn’t see me I was just wondering if she’s still being invited to such events regardless of what happened to her family.
“Where’s Josh and Andrew?” Aaron asked, referring to the two top bodyguards who always stayed
close by Tessa’s side.
“I didn’t come in with them. They were in their own car and my client said uninvited guests were not allowed inside so they remained outside the hotel. The party is strictly for those with a card.”
On the other side of the phone, Aaron furrowed his eyebrows at Tessa’s words.
He squinted his eyes in suspicion and said, “No, that’s not true. If they knew they were for your safety, they wouldn’t have stopped them. It’s normal for business people to have bodyguards so why would they decline your security team entry? Something is fishy. Where are you right now?”
“I’m just seated on one of the chairs under the tent in the garden. Everyone is mingling and I’m kind of tired so I’m resting,” Tessa replied.
“Don’t go anywhere else. I’m coming,” Aaron’s anxious voice came, making Tessa frown deeply.
Was he just making an excuse to follow her to the dinner party?
“Stop overreacting. Nothing will happen. I’m seated in public. Everyone has seen me. No one can harm me like this,” Tessa said and cut the call.
A series of texts reached her phone thereafter. When she checked, she saw that they were all from Michelle.
Michelle: [That bitch is up to something! What is she doing there?]
Michelle: [Have you seen her face? She looks so vicious. She’s definitely planning something. Be careful. Better still, call your baby daddy so that he can protect you.]
Michelle: [Do you want me to come over? I got an invitation but I didn’t want to attend. Let’s settle
old scores with that bitch.]
Tessa chuckled and felt warm at her friend’s concern. However, she honestly didn’t think Serena was up to something. ‘I don’t think she would be stupid enough to try something when her
brother was trending as a fugitive a few weeks ago. 1
She smiled and typed a message to reply.
Tessa: [Don’t worry, hun. Nothing will happen tonight and even if it does, I’m no longer the same
Tessa I used to be. I know how to protect myself when in the lion’s den now.]
Michelle: [Ok, if you say so! Call me if you need anything. I’m ready to give someone a beating! But just to be safe, call your billionaire baby daddy and let him know.]
Meanwhile, in a hidden corner, a man and a woman were engaged in a serious conversation.
It would seem like they were discussing a very private business deal due to how they had isolated themselves from the crowd. However, they were plotting something evil.
“Have you arranged everything?” The woman asked and the man grinned from ear to ear.
“Of course. You should have told me she was such a beauty. I wouldn’t have hesitated. You don’t need to pay me for it. Just enjoying her body would be enough payment. I’ve even lost interest in you.”
“Shut up and focus! Nothing should go wrong with this plan, Jerry. This is my last shot at making
Aaron mine,” the woman’s voice came.
The woman was none other than Serena Winston, while the man was Jerry Carson, Tessa’s new client and plus one for the dinner party.
Serena had been planning this for a while. Her plan was to make Tessa betray Aaron by sleeping with another man. There were some drugs that she had purchased from a friend. Last time she used them on Aaron but he was able to resist. However, Tessa wouldn’t be so lucky.
The drugs were so strong that they would make someone lose their sense of reality immediately and make them feel sexually aroused.
Serena was careful this time. She was determined to win so she left no room for mistakes. Jerry was one of her friends from high school. He was a playboy and also from a rich family with a devil- may-care attitude. Jerry had always admired Serena so she told him they can finally be together if he slept with Tessa and humiliated her.
1
However, his interest in Serena went out the window when he laid his eyes on Tessa.
She was much more beautiful and reserved. A type that he’s never had before so he was looking forward to claiming her that night.
Jerry glanced at Serena and said, “You don’t need to worry about that. I’m determined to have her, so be rest assured. I will fuck your enemy and her man will find us having fun.”
Serena then left and called one of the waiters. She had taken all of her secret stash and decided to invest it in the operation. After that day, Tessa would be out of Aaron’s life and Serena would get back her money tenfold after marrying Aaron.
The waiter walked toward Serena and asked, “What can I do for you, ma’am?”
Serena dug her hand into her bag and partially removed a big chunk of money, showing it to the
waiter.
“I’ve got a job for you,” she said.
The waiter saw the bunch of money and his eyes lit up. He glanced around as if to check if anyone was watching and walked to a hidden corner. He asked, “What do you want me to do?”
“I need you to put this in someone’s drink,” Serena said, taking out a small plastic pack that had
some white powdery stuff in it.
The waiter’s eyes turned into saucers. “What is that? Is it something illegal?”
Serena shushed him and placed it in his hands. She turned and pointed at where Tessa was seated and said, “Have you seen that woman in an emerald green gown?”
The waiter nodded as he followed Tessa’s finger. “Yes, I can see her.”
“Good, put some of this powder in a glass of champagne and give it to her. Don’t go too far, when she starts to feel a little sick, direct her to the third floor and take her to room 3005. If you do that, all this money will be yours. I’ll give you half as a down payment. You will get the other half when the job is done.”
“Are you sure this won’t kill that lady?” The waiter asked, feeling sceptical.
“Of course not. It will just make her feel good. Don’t worry, she won’t die from it.”
Chapter As Schroen
When all was settled with the waiter, Serena through her eyes.
“After tonight, Aaron will be mine alone.”
wed her eyes at Tessa and a vicious glint flitted
Tessa was seated at her earlier seat when a waiter approached her with a tray of champagne.
“Would you like a drink, ma’am?” He offered.
Tessa glanced up at him and smiled. She noticed how her throat felt dry and picked up one glass from the tray.
“Thank you,” she said.
Tessa drank some mouthfuls of the drink and placed the glass on the table.
Unbeknownst to her, someone was watching her every move. Their eyes gleamed when they saw
her finish the drink.
A few minutes later, Tessa began to feel a little dizzy. She rubbed her temples and shook her head, wondering if she was already getting drunk.
Jerry walked up to her, inquiring, “Hey, you don’t look too good. Do you need my help?”
Tessa shook her head repeatedly and slurred, “I’m fine. I just need to use the ladies’ room.”
When she left, Jerry shared a look with Serena who then gave the waiter a signal and he followed
Tessa
A good twenty minutes later, the socialites had gathered in one place. There was a commotion. A young lady kept screaming and taking off her clothes because she felt extremely hot.
“It’s hot! I need a man to touch me! Please, I can’t take it anymore!”
The rich ladies giggled as they took videos of the woman who was making a fool out of herself. They were wondering how much alcohol she took to reach that state,
The lady had ripped her dress off and was now vidiously scratching her skin and bruising herself as she begged for a man’s soothing touch. It was a sorry sight.
This was the scene Aaron walked into when he arrived at the dinner party.
A naked woman was thrashing about on the ground while people took videos to post on social
