Chapter 30

Ariana sat patiently, waiting for Anika at the party. Despite her discomfort with the smell of alcohol, she couldn't abandon her friend. When Anika finally descended the stairs, Ariana sensed that something was wrong.

"What's wrong?" Ariana asked.

"Nothing. Have you ordered anything?" Anika deflected.

"No."

"Hey, can I get two shots of vodka?" Anika ordered.

"Are you trying to get yourself drunk?" Ariana expressed concern.

"I can hold my liquor well, so don't worry," Anika reassured. She downed the two shots in one go.

"Two more, please," she ordered. Ariana sighed, realizing something was amiss, but Anika wasn't willing to share. Opting for a soda, Ariana decided that at least one of them should stay sober. She wanted to stop Anika from drinking, but sensing her friend's bad mood and hidden tears, she let it be. Unaware of Anika's conversation with Zach, Ariana pondered what could be bothering her.

"Anika?" A masculine voice interrupted. Anika gasped, recognizing the voice.

"Tyler?!" she exclaimed, turning to check if she was right. "Tyler!" She got up and hugged him.

"How have you been?" Tyler chuckled.

"I'm good. I haven't seen you in ages. Tyler, this is my friend Ariana. Ariana, meet Tyler, my childhood friend," Anika introduced.

"Nice to meet you," Tyler said, extending his hand for a handshake.

"You too," Ariana responded, shaking his hand. Anika and Tyler left to catch up, leaving Ariana feeling alone. She chatted with Annie through text, sharing her boredom. After a while, she noticed Anika was gone, feeling abandoned.

Ariana texted Annie:

Anika is having so much fun.

Annie replied:

Duh 🙄, so I saw a scandal about Casey on the internet. Girl, tell me everything.

Ariana took a sip from her drink, smiling at Annie's text. As she continued chatting with Annie, she began feeling hot and dizzy. Deciding to leave the party, she struggled through the crowd, eventually collapsing in the corridor. People called out to her, but everything turned black.

Ariana slowly opened her eyes, groaning from the headache. Realizing she was in Zach's villa, she wondered if the drink had been poisoned. Contemplating what had happened, she overheard a conversation between Jack and Zach.

"Zach, where were you at Alvin's party?" Jack asked, his tone chilling.

"With my girlfriend," Zach replied nonchalantly.

"Do you have any idea that your fiancée was poisoned?"

"No," Zach responded, shocked.

"Because of your behavior, we don't know where your sister is."

"What?"

"This is the last straw, Zach. I'm seizing all your properties."

"You can't do that, I worked hard for what I own."

"Yes, I can. Because of your negligence, Ariana almost died, and Anika is nowhere to be found. If you had stayed with them at the party, none of this would have happened."

"Because of that Casey, I don't know where my daughter is. If anything happens to my daughter..."

"Nothing will happen to Anika; I'll search for her. Dad, why don't you like Casey?"

"Because she's a wily coquette."

"She's not like that. Dad, this girl understands me, and she's perfect for me. Dad, just give her a chance, please," Zach begged.

Chairman Jack sighed, reluctant to reveal the truth but finally stating, "Casey has been having an affair with your best friend Alvin." He handed Zach a tablet, and Zach's eyes widened as he watched the video. Shocked and hurt, he left to find Anika, leaving Ariana alone, pondering the events that unfolded. She attempted to call Anika, but her phone was switched off, deciding not to worry as Zach was likely searching for her.