Seeing Hazel refuse to play along, Caroline lifted the glass as if to drink and then, theatrically, poured the whole thing into her own lap.
“Oh, Hazel, I know you hate me, but you don’t have to treat me like this,” she said, feigning hurt. “This dress was a birthday present from Dominic. I hardly ever wear it. I put it on today just to patch things up with you.”
Before Hazel could answer, Dominic’s displeased voice cut in beside her ear. “Hazel! Didn’t I tell you on the way here to behave and not upset Caroline? Did you just ignore me?”
Hazel shot back, “I didn’t do it. Check the cameras if you don’t believe me.”
Dominic’s eyes turned cold. “Do you think being righteous clears you of suspicion?” he snapped. “Apologize to Caroline. Now!”
“I won’t. I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?” Hazel shot back.
Dominic’s patience vanished. He sneered, “If you won’t apologize, then drink everything on that table.”
The bottles on the table were high-proof liquors that would make a non-drinker sick and could tear a stomach lining apart. Hazel was someone who never touched alcohol. A single bottle would likely make her vomit blood.
“You know I don’t drink,” she protested, certain he knew this.
But Dominic, caught in anger, didn’t notice the tremor in her voice. He barked orders, and two men held her down while another forced a bottle to her lips and poured.
“Hazel,” he warned, voice flat and merciless, “I told you my patience has a limit. Don’t push my limits.”
Third Person's POV
The liquor burned down Hazel’s throat like fire, searing her stomach until it felt as if her insides were being torn apart. The liquid even spilled out through her nose as she choked and gasped for air.
She grabbed Dominic’s wrist, her voice raw and hoarse, like sand scraping against stone. “It hurts… please—let go of me… I can’t drink anymore…”
Even under the dim lights, her face was turning a deep, alarming red. She looked seconds away from collapsing.
For a moment, something flickered in Dominic’s eyes—hesitation, maybe even pity. His grip also loosened slightly.
But Caroline quickly stepped in, her tone soft and falsely concerned.
“Forget it, Dominic,” she said sweetly. “As a woman, I can’t bear to see another woman suffer. Just let her go. I’ve already endured so much in my life; a little more doesn’t matter. I only feel guilty that I didn’t take better care of the dress you gave me.”