She picked up the call and moved to a quieter spot to answer.

Soon, came the deep voice of Bradley from the other end.

"Where are you?"

"Just out with Ella, sorting some stuff. Miss me already?" she teased.

"Yeah, I can't get you out of my mind," Bradley replied, his tone soft.

Feeling a flutter in her heart at his words, Freya pouted playfully. "Aren't you busy?"

"Just wrapped things up. Noticed you weren't home, so I thought I'd check," he explained.

"Then wait up for me. I'll be back to keep you company," she promised.

"I'll be waiting, baby."

After ending the call, Freya returned to the private room. "Feel free to keep the party going, everyone. The tab's on me. I've got to head off for something urgent."

"Freya, stick around a bit longer," Lily urged, sounding nervous.

"I really must go. Duty calls,"

Freya responded with a smile. "If it's about design, drop me a message. I'll get back to you,"

she added before grabbing her bag and making her exit.

Helplessly, Lily watched her go, her mind racing.

Why did she have to get a call at such a critical moment? Everything was set to lure Freya out and arrange for a man to meet her later.

That way, she could capture the photo and complete the task, securing her family's safety from Selena's threats.

Now that Freya had left, what was Lily to do?

Thankfully, the drug took effect slowly and was hard to detect.

Even if Freya felt its effects, it wouldn't trace back to Lily.

She, too, was forced into a corner.

Selena seized her family, threatening her to deal with Freya.

If she didn't comply, her family would be in danger.

She had no choice but to apologize to Freya.

Lily couldn't focus on staying any longer, so she made up an excuse to leave and followed Freya all the way

She drove herself and headed to the villa area along Main Street.

Lily followed from a distance and saw her stop at the entrance of a luxurious villa.

She didn't dare to approach because there were guards all around. If she got any closer, she would definitely be noticed

She was extremely anxious. If she couldn't succeed tonight, what would happen to her family?

Suddenly, her phone rang.

Lily picked it up and saw that it was a call from Selena.

Her heart raced nervously.

"How did it go?" Selena asked.

"I'm sorry, Selena, I... I messed up," Lily replied, her voice trembling.

"Did she notice that you were involved?" Selena inquired.

"No, no, she finished her drink, took a call, and left. I couldn't stop her,"

Lily answered, her voice choked with emotion. It was her first time doing something like this, and she was terrified.

"As long as she didn't notice, it's fine for now. Let's consider this a slip-up this time. I hope to hear good news from you next time," Selena reassured her.

"What about my family?" Lily asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, they're safe. Just listen to me obediently, and I'll take good care of them. But if you... dare to betray me, I can't guarantee how long they'll stay safe," Selena warned ominously.

The phone call was abruptly ended, leaving Lily squatting on the roadside, her sobs echoing into the night.

Meanwhile, Freya felt increasingly unwell in the car.

Her body engulfed in waves of heat.

Had she really become so intoxicated after just a few drinks?

She parked the car by the roadside and made her way into the villa.

In the living room, Bradley lounged on the sofa, his eyes half-closed.

His acute senses picked up the sound of approaching footsteps, causing his eyelashes to flutter.

Freya felt dizzy and her body was burning with heat.

Was she really that drunk?

Stumbling toward the man seated on the sofa, he suddenly stood up and pulled her into his arms.

The moment their bodies touched, she felt like she was engulfed in flames.

"It's so hot!"

She struggled in his embrace, desperately trying to remove her clothes.

"Freya, what's wrong with you?"

Bradley gazed deeply at her.

He noticed her flushed cheeks and the thin layer of sweat on her forehead.

"I don't know... I just had a few drinks, maybe I'm drunk." Her eyes were hazy as she coyly wrapped her arms around his neck. "Honey, I'm so hot. Can we go swimming?"

"You've been drugged."

Bradley sensed the heat emanating from her body, his deep eyes narrowing in concern.

While her condition resembled that of someone intoxicated, her feverish temperature was eerily reminiscent of something else.

"Hmm? I was with Ella and the others. Who would drug me?"

Freya pinched his cheek and planted a kiss on it. "Come on, I'm just feeling hot."

Bradley was amused by her behavior.

Scooping her up, he swiftly ascended the stairs.

"This kind of heat won't be relieved by swimming. Let me help you cool down,"

he said, kicking open the bedroom door and placing her on the bed.

As Freya attempted to rise, Bradley approached forcefully, pinning her against the headboard.

"Hey bad boy, I want to take a bath. Move away!"

Freya pushed against him, her mind muddled, and attempted to roll off the bed.

Seeing her intention to leave, Bradley stretched out his long legs, firmly restraining her.

This time, Freya's dissatisfaction surfaced, and she squinted at him with a mischievous glint, her intentions clear.

"Bradley, if you keep this up, I won't be nice to you."

Her cute yet threatening appearance melted Bradley's heart, and his blood boiled with excitement.

He had never seen her like this before.

Normally, even the slightest intimacy would make her blush.

But now, with her teasing and playful behavior, he found it hard to resist.

"Taking a bath is fine, but let's do it together," Bradley's eyes smoldered with desire.

The sight of Freya was simply too adorable, like a little wildcat with sharp claws, yet she could also act cute and spoiled, making his heart melt.

"No, you always bully me."

Freya pushed him away.

This time, Bradley didn't stop her, allowing her to enter the bathroom.

As Freya stood outside the door, she peeked in and warned in a stern voice, "No peeking."

"Okay, no peeking,"

Bradley agreed with a raised eyebrow, but a mischievous smile played on his lips.

Once she was inside, the smile vanished from Bradley's face, replaced by a sinister aura.

He picked up his phone and immediately called Ella.

"Where did Freya go tonight?"

"We've been together the whole time, went for karaoke, had some drinks. Why?"

"She's been drugged!"

"What?"

Ella on the other end was startled.

"Go investigate who did it."

"Understood."

After ending the call, Bradley dialed Xavier's number and briefed him on Freya's condition.

Her behavior was far from normal.

Typically, when drugged, people seek closeness urgently, but she seemed incredibly naive and innocent, like a helpless little girl.

"If my guess is correct, this drug has a slow onset and potent aftereffects. I suspect that later, Freya will turn into a fierce wolf."

"Bradley, you're in for an interesting night."

"Bring some antidote and leave it downstairs. And remember, don't let anyone upstairs."

With that, Bradley ended the call and sat back on the sofa.