Adelyn’s fingers clenched slightly on the chair, and her breathing turned uneven —subtle, but wrong.
Freya watched closely as a faint flush began creeping across Adelyn’s skin, spreading.
"Adelyn —" Freya called softly.
"M... mushroom," Adelyn breathed out.
Freya’s brows furrowed. Her gaze dropped imdiately to Adelyn’s plate.
"Mushroom?" she repeated, scanning the dishes. But there were no obvious mushrooms in everything.
"Oh — mushroom is in that creamy sauce," Alia said from the side, having only caught part of the conversation. "Do you want to get so for you, Freya —"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Sothing in Freya’s expression made her realize that she wasn’t actually looking for a mushroom dish, rather —
Her gaze drifted to Adelyn, and it was then that she noticed.
Alia leaned closer, lowering her voice. "What’s wrong? Is she okay?"
Freya subtly shook her head. Her eyes stayed on Adelyn, assessing every subtle change.
"She is allergic to mushrooms ... it seems."
Alia’s face tensed. "What should we do?"
The reaction wasn’t dramatic —not yet, at least. There was no visible symptom like swelling. No frantic struggle in breathing.
But the slow deepening flush ... the warmth radiating from her skin ... the way her composure was beginning to strain — it wasn’t normal.
Alia feared soon other symptoms would also be visible.
What will happen then?
The investors had clearly tried to make things difficult for them earlier. What if they get another chance to show their disagreent?
Adelyn tried to steady herself. She rubbed the bridge of her nose lightly and forced a small smile.
"I ... I am allergic to mushrooms," she said, her voice slightly unsteady. "But it’s not ... the usual kind."
Alia leaned closer to her. "What do you an by not the usual kind?"
Even Freya looked at her, concerned.
Adelyn hesitated —clearly a little uncomfortable explaining.
Her breathing hitched faintly before she tried again, her words coming out fragnted. "It doesn’t cause ... breathing problems ... or itching ... nothing like the typical allergies."
Her fingers clenched around her coat.
"It just ... raised my body temperature ... uncomfortably, and ..." She swallowed, visibly embarrassed. "It affects my nerves ... makes everything feel ... too sensitive."
"Sensitive?" Alia blinked, her brows drawing together. "Like aphrodisiacs?"
Adelyn shook her head weakly, clearly struggling to explain sothing she wished she didn’t have to.
"Not exactly like the ... aphrodisiacs. It’s ... similar to ... how certain stimulants affect the body."
Freya understood instantly.
Her expression sharpened —more into protective and decisive. "Alright. That’s enough explanation for now, as it won’t be of much help."
She then scanned the people around. They were all too busy talking to notice them now. But she wasn’t sure if the next second they wouldn’t turn their way and notice the change.
"You need to leave. Now." Freya said.
Adelyn hesitated. "But the dinner —" Her eyes went to the particular investor who had been targeting her before.
"I will handle it," Freya said firmly. "But you need to leave first. You can’t be here ... not like this."
Her gaze then turned to Alia.
"Go with her."
Alia imdiately nodded. No hesitation. No question.
Freya leaned closer to Adelyn, her voice soft but unarguable.
"Stand slowly," she said. "Don’t draw attention. We will say you are unwell from the alcohol, if anyone asks later."
Adelyn wanted to protest —but she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer.
Freya was right.
She gave a faint nod. Her movents had already grown sluggish from the rising warmth flooding her system.
Freya rose first —naturally, casually —lifting her glass and engaging the nearest investor in the conversation, so that he didn’t notice anything.
In that brief deliberate distraction —
Alia gently supported Adelyn’s arms.
"Careful," she whispered.
Adelyn nodded, standing quietly, trying not to make any movent that might draw attention.
With Alia’s support, they stepped away from the table without any disturbance.
It looked like they were simply heading for a brief breath of air.
No one stopped them.
No one questioned.
And no one noticed.
Freya continued speaking calmly behind them, her composure flawless —ensuring every gaze remained exactly where she wanted it.
By the ti anyone might have thought to look —
Adelyn was already gone.
Outside —
As they stepped out of the private room, Adelyn leaned against the nearest wall. Her hand rose slowly to the nape of her neck, pressing lightly as if trying to ease the burning heat spreading through her body.
Alia watched her, concern tightening her expression.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.
Adelyn didn’t respond.
But everything about her —the flush, the shallow breaths, the tension in her shoulders —told Alia the situation was worsening.
"Okay, I will take you to the hospital," Alia decided, not knowing any better option. Getting her the dical help seed like the safest choice.
"Give a mont. I will check for a cab."
She silently regretted not bringing Freya’s car.
But could she really be blad?
They knew they would be drinking. If they drank, they couldn’t drive. Calling a cab had been the responsible choice.
How would she have known that a situation like this could also arise?
Her fingers moved quickly over her phone. She opened the ride app and waited for available cabs to appear.
But there was none.
She refreshed.
Still nothing.
Frustration rose sharply in her chest.
She looked at Adelyn again —and her worry only deepened further. Reaching out, she held Adelyn’s arm ... then flinched.
"You are literally burning."
"Did ... you get the cab?" Adelyn asked weakly. She was barely holding herself together.
"Not yet," Alia shook her head, checking her phone again. "I don’t think we will get one from her. I will have to go outside and check. Can you stay here on your own for a bit?"
Adelyn nodded slowly. "Go ... check. I will be ... fine."
"Are you sure?" Alia hesitated. Sothing about leaving her didn’t feel right.
But if she wanted a cab, she had to go further out.
"... I am sure. Go ..." Adelyn nodded again, gently patting Alia’s hand on her arm.
"Okay. Stay here. And don’t go with anyone. Alright?"
Adelyn nodded sluggishly, watching her leave.
—————
anwhile, on the other side —
Karl looked at the server standing before him.
"You understood what you have to do, didn’t you?" he asked quietly.
The server kept his gaze lowered and nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good," Karl said approvingly.
He pulled a small vial from his pocket and handed it over.
"This bottle is really precious. Be careful." His voice was low —carrying a small threat. "If anything goes wrong ... it won’t end well for you."
"What won’t end well?" a voice interrupted from the door.
Then another.
"And for whom?"
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