Chapter 101

The Dead, Cold, and Lifeless Body in the Pool of Blood

Charles' POV

The atmosphere was lively after Axel's brief speech, but something felt off when he abruptly left the room. I scanned the area for anything suspicious, but everything seemed normal. Was I overthinking this? The waiter offered wine to Bianca and me, and for a moment, the thought of him being dangerous crossed my mind. I mean, it happens in the movies.

After minutes of hesitation, I finally accepted the drinks. The waiter didn’t look suspicious, but the possibility of the drink being poisoned loomed large. I sniffed the wine discreetly, checking for any signs of tampering. When I was certain there was nothing wrong, I took a sip and did the same with Bianca’s drink.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Was I wrong? Was I just being paranoid? Zac and Kumiko joined us, diverting my attention. I held Bianca close, watching her smile and laugh at Kumiko’s jokes—she was indeed a funny lady.