Chapter 301
The second day of the competition buzzed with even more energy than the first.
Evelyn Roland arrived two hours early, triple-checking every detail. Only when satisfied did she allow herself a brief moment of relief.
Before the second round began, contestants drew lots to reseat themselves.
Fate played a cruel joke—Evelyn found herself seated beside Dominic Laurent.
As Dominic took his seat, their eyes met briefly. A dark glint flashed in his gaze, his lips curling into a sneer.
Nearly losing to this woman yesterday had been an unbearable humiliation.
Today, he would reclaim his pride.
"Present the wines!"
At the host's command, servers filed in with silver trays.
Evelyn accepted her glass, her peripheral vision catching movement next to her. Her breath hitched.
The server attending Dominic let a fine white powder slip from his fingers into the wineglass.
Someone was drugging the drink!
She opened her mouth to cry out, but the server had already vanished into the crowd.
"Begin tasting!"
Dominic raised his glass, smirking as he tilted it toward his lips.
Evelyn's hand shot out.
Crash!
Crystal shattered against the floor, wine splattering everywhere.
Gasps rippled through the room.
Dominic surged to his feet, his grip like a vise around her wrist. "You coward! Can't handle losing fair and square?"
"Let me explain—"
"Explain?" he snarled. "You just sabotaged me in front of everyone! Host! Disqualify her!"
Judges rushed over.
The host surveyed the mess, his expression stormy. "Miss Roland, this is a blatant violation of competition rules."
"Wait." Evelyn wrenched free.
She snatched a glass shard from the floor—its edge dusted with suspicious white residue.
"This wine was spiked." She held it up to the light. "I saw the server tamper with it."
Dominic's face drained of color.
An elderly judge with silver hair examined the fragment, then barked, "Seal all exits! Find that server!"
Chaos erupted.
Evelyn watched as Dominic's temple gleamed with sweat, his gaze darting nervously.
A chilling realization took root in her mind.