CHAPTER 79
The guests and onlookers were beginning to crowd around, and the housekeeper realized that polite requests were not enough to disperse them. She resorted to slamming the guest room door shut, using her body to block the entrance.
"Mrs. Schmidt, please, you must calm down! It's crucial right now!" she implored, her voice firm.
Violet, on the brink of losing control, bit her lower lip so hard that it began to bleed, giving her an even more ghastly appearance. Taking a few deep breaths, she steadied herself and then rushed over to Piper in just a few strides.
Violet seized Piper's shoulders, shaking her frantically.
"Where's Xander? Where did he go? He must be under the influence of the fragrance too. Where is he???”
The housekeeper had seen Xander inhale the fragrance with her own eyes. Even if he managed to escape from Piper, he wouldn't be able to leave the Schmidt residence easily. There might still be hope if they could find him quickly!
The fragrance's effect was overwhelming. Piper, now completely delirious, failed to recognize who was in front of her. She grinned sheepishly, hugging Violet and attempting to kiss her passionately.
"You're a naughty boy, Xander. I'm getting all restless now. Give it to me, baby. Give it to me!!"
Violet's clothes were tugged at several times, irritating her to the point where she raised her hand and slapped Piper.
"Get a hold of yourself, you useless girl! Tell me what's going on here!" she demanded, her voice shaking with fury.
Violet's slap was forceful, sending Piper crashing to the ground, her lips starting to bleed. Ignoring Piper's dazed state, Violet yanked her up, dragged her into the bathroom, and turned on the cold shower, dousing her head with icy water.
"Are you awake now?" she demanded.
"Ah—" Piper shrieked, cowering under the stream but regaining some clarity.
"Xander... Xander 's here. He's here!"
"Where?" Violet asked sharply. "Is he still in the room?"
Leaving Piper in the bathroom, Violet strode back into the bedroom, scanning the area intently.
********
Xander’s breathing grew increasingly labored. His eyes burned with intensity, and the confined space of the closet filled with the uniquely sweet scent emanating from Arianna. His gaze bore deeply into her, his lips parting as if to speak.
Arianna's heart raced with panic. There were too many people outside, and a single word from him would expose their hiding place. If anyone discovered her concealed there with him, it would lead to disaster.
She knew reasoning with Xander was futile under the influence of the aphrodisiac. Without hesitation, she reached out to cover his mouth.
To her surprise, she felt his tongue lick the palm of her hand.
A jolt of electricity shot through her, and she instinctively pulled her hand back, eyes wide with shock.
Xander's mouth opened again, poised to speak.
Arianna heard Violet’s footsteps nearing the closet and acted on instinct. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his, silencing him once more.
The kiss seemed to ignite something in Xander. His eyes lit up, and he wrapped his large hands around her slender waist, pulling her tightly against him.
Arianna eyes widened in surprise. She wanted to pull away, but his grip held her firmly in place, leaving her no choice but to respond to him.
Violet’s footsteps came to a halt just outside the closet door.
Arianna's heartbeat quickened. She discreetly pulled out a needle she always carried and concealed it in her palm. If Violet dared to open the closet door, Arianna was prepared to act.
She would never let Violet turn this situation into a scandal.
Suddenly, the housekeeper's voice rang out urgently,
“Mrs. Schmidt, I can't hold the guests back any longer. They're about to break in again. You need to get rid of them first!”
They had been humiliated enough that day, and Violet knew they couldn’t afford to let things escalate further.
Though she was furious and reluctant, Violet understood the housekeeper was right. If the guests took photos of Piper in her current state and spread them, no respectable family would ever consider an alliance with them, especially not the Kings.
Summoning every ounce of her self-control, Violet forced herself to calm down. She swiftly entered the bathroom, grabbed a towel, wrapped it around Piper’s exposed body, and then helped her out. Handing Piper over to the housekeeper, she instructed,
“Take care of her.”
The housekeeper nodded solemnly. "I'll take care of it."
Taking a brief moment to compose herself, Violet closed her eyes and gathered her composure. When she reopened them, her usual air of dignity and elegance had returned. With measured steps, she opened the door and stepped out.
Confronting the penetrating stares of the guests, Violet maintained a facade of composure, even managing a gentle smile.
"I apologize, everyone. There are some urgent matters at home that require my immediate attention, so we must conclude today's festivities here. Thank you all for joining us today."
Turning to her attendants, she issued a directive. "Please see our guests off."
Despite their reluctance to see the drama abruptly halted, the distinguished guests knew better than to linger once Violet had declared the end of the party.
Disappointed murmurs lingered in the air as they dispersed reluctantly.
Violet pivoted swiftly and made her way toward the master bedroom with purposeful strides.
