“Ah!” Averil cried out, her hand turning bright red.
She opened her mouth to protest, but as she lifted her head, she saw Noman gently brushing back the curls from Victoria’s face.
“Alcohol allergy…“His voice carried a faint tremble.
No longer the composed gentleman, Noman scooped Victoria into his arms, holding her as if she weighed nothing, and turned to leave.
“Mr. Carter!” Julian stepped forward, blocking his path. “Where are you taking Victoria?”
Noman’s gaze was icy as if he were looking at a dead man. “She’s in anaphylactic shock. Can’t you see that?”
Julian glanced at the woman in his arms and let out a mocking laugh. “Mr. Carter, you may not know this, but that woman is a master manipulator. The glass she drank from was filled with plain water. How could she possibly be having an allergic reaction?”
Noman’s chest rose and fell, as though he were trying to hold back a wave of anger.
Julian’s eyes remained fixed on Victoria’s still form. “Stop pretending. If you don’t want to dance, no one’s forcing you. Don’t act like some victim and drag Mr. Carter into your mess. Now get up.”
As Julian’s sharp words rang out, someone from Noman’s entourage leaned in and whispered. something into his ear.
The icy chill radiating from Noman intensified.
“You’re saying she drank water?”
“That’s right,” Julian said, gesturing toward Averil. “Averil saw it herself.”
Noman gave a subtle nod, and one of the towering men in black strode toward the wealthy young man who had poured the drink earlier.
“Which bottle did you use?”
The young man paled visibly. “Th–that one…
