Chapter 748
Chapter 748
Chapter 748 She Still Got Poisoned
Seemingly aware of the silent gaze, Avery turned her head to look at the woman and was slightly taken aback for a moment. Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
It had been a long time since she last saw Evangeline. Unexpectedly, she ran into her at this banquet.
Wrapped in an air of serene luxury and opulence, Evangeline's gown was intricately crafted to highlight her waist. The gown's train was adorned with an array of glistening diamonds, unmistakably a bespoke creation from a renowned high-end designer.
With the current financial capability, it was simply impossible for her to afford such high-end couture.
Her scrutinizing gaze fell upon Evangeline as if she were examining something distasteful, making Evangeline's face burn with embarrassment.
Even when dressed in fine clothes, Evangeline still felt like an insecure ugly duckling. In front of Avery, who exuded such elegant grace like a white swan, she could not help but feel a sense of self-contempt.
Avery let go of Cayden's arm, whispered a few words to him, and then walked to Evangeline.
Approaching Evangeline, Avery flashed her a radiant smile. “Evangeline, it's been a while. Are you also here for the Fuller family's banquet?”
Avery had consistently shown generosity and grace toward the woman who had once extended a helping hand to her. Whether in terms of material support or assistance with tasks, she always went above and beyond to offer her utmost help.
However, for reasons unknown, Evangeline had begun to keep her distance from Avery.
Evangeline intentionally adjusted her posture, her tone tinged with a sense of pride. “Oh, yes. Wilson extended a personal invitation for me to join the Fuller family's annual event. How could I decline such an offer? He even went out of his way to have this gown made for me. Honestly, I hadn't initially intended to attend...”
Whenever Wilson's name was brought up, Evangeline would intentionally adopt a bashful demeanor. Her blend of delicate and more overt self-promotion left Avery's eye twitching.
Avery wished for a means to break free from Wilson's influence. If Evangeline and Wilson had chosen to be together, it might actually end up being a blessing in disguise for Avery.
She responded to Evangeline with a warm smile. “Congratulations then. Cherish your relationship with him. I give you my blessings.”
Observing Avery's seemingly nonchalant attitude, Evangeline experienced an unexplainable pang in her heart, yet she maintained a genuine façade. “Thank you.”
Evangeline could not shake the feeling that Avery had somehow taken away her identity and status as the Lambert family's daughter, even though Avery was the biological daughter of the family.
Evangeline's thoughts seemed to encapsulate the essence of human nature. Before experiencing a life of luxury, the very idea had been beyond her wildest dreams, but once she had genuinely savored that privileged existence and allowed herself to be completely engrossed in it, only to see it suddenly
wrested away by another, it was only natural for a profound sense of resentment to bloom toward the one who had deprived her of it—even if the person was merely reclaiming their rightful privileges.
That was the kind of complex emotion Evangeline had with Avery, even though she clearly knew that Avery was the biological daughter of the Lambert family.
Nonetheless, a persistent feeling lingered within her that, had it not been for Avery, she could have effortlessly spent her life as the affluent Lambert family's daughter without anyone unveiling her true status. Regrettably, life had a way of defying expectations. If it weren't for Avery...
A flicker of resentment flashed through Evangeline's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
Given Avery's current standing, she could not risk provoking her.
Evangeline's heart was a swirl of emotions. She headed to the banquet table and poured two glasses of red wine.
As Avery's attention was elsewhere, she discreetly slipped a tiny, nearly imperceptible white pill into the red wine.
Sporting a beaming smile, Evangeline presented Avery with a glass of red wine that was free of the drug. “Avery, these past couple of years at the company, I owe so much to your guidance and support. It's because of you that my career has flourished. I truly appreciate all you've done for me, and it means a lot to me. Today, I want to raise a toast to you!”
After speaking, Evangeline handed one of the glasses of red wine to Avery, looking at her with a radiant smile.
“Thank you. If you hadn't given your testimony back then, I might have been implicated in the cheating incident during the exam. It's actually me who should be thanking you.” Avery accepted the red wine but refrained from taking a sip.
Even after over two years of being deeply involved in the business world, Avery remained cautious and watchful in every situation, even when dealing with Evangeline, who had once been her benefactor.
Evangeline could clearly see Avery's hesitation and inner conflict.
She chuckled, swapping her wine glass with Avery's, and then boldly downed her drink in one gulp.
The wine, as crimson as blood, was drained to the last drop.
Avery observed as Evangeline effortlessly finished a full glass of red wine without any apparent problem. Her attention then shifted to Cayden, who was standing nearby. In the end, Avery picked up the glass of red wine, and without a hint of hesitation, she downed it in a single gulp.
Aside from a slight bitterness in the taste of the wine, there were no other adverse reactions.
As Avery discreetly finished her red wine, a brief smirk flitted across Evangeline's face, disappearing almost instantly.
She stole a glance at Cayden, who had been consistently glancing in Avery's direction, and let out a soft chuckle, her hand covering her mouth. “Avery, it looks like Mr. Moore can't keep his eyes off you. He seems a bit restless with you being away from his side. Well then, I won't intrude on you two any longer.”
“What are you talking about? You must have seen it wrong, he's just chatting with his friends.” Avery could not help but look toward Cayden.
Observing him actively conversing with others while his gaze repeatedly wandered back to her, she could not help but feel a blush warm her cheeks.
Avery returned to Cayden's side.
Assertively, Cayden enveloped Avery in his embrace, his gaze tracking the figure moving away. His eyes narrowed with a hint of annoyance. “Why does it seem like that woman is always brewing trouble?”
He held an uncanny intuition that Evangeline's innocence was a façade. Right from their initial encounter, he had this nagging feeling about her.
Avery could not help but give him a disgruntled look. “What are you talking about? She's my benefactor. Why would she harbor ill intentions toward me?”
“You must always be on guard. I don't want you to drink anymore. If you insist, I'll drink with you when we get home,” Cayden uttered.
Avery responded, “I know. I just felt awkward to decline her offer.”
Cayden furrowed his brow. “She did something so minor, yet you remember it so well. Besides, you've already done more than enough to repay her over the last two years. But now, it seems she's leveraging that favor for something in return. How innocent can she be?”
“All right, all right. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. If there was something wrong with that wine, do you think I'd still be standing here, talking to you?” Avery retorted.
Avery continued to accompany Cayden in social engagements.
Looking at the triumphant faces of the Fuller brothers at the banquet hall, Cayden gently whispered into Avery's ear, his arm around her waist. “There's going to be a major change to the Fuller family.”
“Why? What have you done?” As soon as she posed the question, Avery suddenly felt an urgent need to use the restroom.
She then told Cayden that she needed to use the restroom, looking quite anxious.
Cayden originally planned to accompany her, but considering his upcoming secret plan, he called for a female attendant to accompany Avery.
As soon as Avery was finished in the restroom, a wave of instant relief swept over her body, though this comfort was short-lived, lasting no more than a couple of seconds.
Suddenly, she felt an intense heat coursing through her body, a surge of warmth rising rapidly within her that she could not control.
A tumultuous uproar surged within her, to the extent that her rationality had been clouded. All she desired was to find a man to vent her frustrations.