"My... my name is Poppy Castano."
Poppy Castano?! Christan's eyes flickered. The name sounded familiar.
But he couldn't place it immediately, so he stayed quiet and let her continue.
"Miss Carter and I planned to teach that bitch Serena a lesson for always stealing other people's men. So, we secretly found a homeless man, got him drunk, and even drugged the alcohol with an aphrodisiac."
"We told him there was a top-class escort staying on the 36th floor who only accepted high-status clients. If he could sleep with her, he'd have a story to brag about for life. And because of her special identity, she wouldn't dare make a fuss-he wouldn't have to worry about legal consequences!"
Christan frowned and couldn't help interrupting. "Miss Carter? Who's that?"
"Karina Carter, the heiress of the Carters. She said she's Xavier's fiancée!" Poppy sneered. "She's no saint either! The plan was for her to block the surveillance in advance. I would arrive at the scheduled time to catch Serena and the drunk man in the act, and take some scandalous photos. Then, once I sent her the signal, she would bring people upstairs to blow it all up and ruin Serena's reputation for good!"
"But when I got here, the door was open and the drunk man was lying on the floor. I went over to check, and he suddenly grabbed me. I realized the drug was kicking in and immediately called Karina for help."
"The call had just connected when the drunk guy smacked my phone away. I didn't get a chance to explain, but I'm sure she heard my screams. She definitely heard them. But she never came to save me!"
Christan leaned forward, staring into her eyes. "Can you take responsibility for everything you've just said?"
"Of course I can!"
Poppy sneered coldly. "I've got nothing left to lose! I was violated-there's no way Clint will want me now. If I can't have him, then there's no point in living!"
Her eyes darkened with hatred. "Now, the only reason I'm still alive is to drag down everyone who used me and lied to me! If I've suffered, then they'll suffer too!"
Clint?!
Like a flash of lightning, Christan suddenly remembered-
Poppy was the woman who seduced Serena's ex-husband, the homewrecker who tried to take her place!
And the 'Clint' she spoke of-must be Clint Beckett, Serena's ex-husband!
Good thing he had previously investigated Serena for the sake of his sister, Celia, and learned that Serena had been divorced due to a cheating third party.
Curling his lips in a mocking smile, one thought flashed across his mind:
"In the end, good and evil are always repaid in kind."
Poppy had already destroyed someone else's family once. And now, working with Karina, she had tried to hurt Serena again.
But fate had other plans. She fell into the very trap she had set-forced to swallow the bitter fruit she had prepared for someone else.
Just then, Brody knocked on the door from outside. "Mr. Ryder, something urgent-can you step out for a moment?!"
Christan signaled to Poppy to wait, then stood up and headed toward the door.
"What's going on?"
Brody looked grim and raised his phone. "Mr. Blaze got my message-he's already on his way here!"
"Don't worry." Christan smiled calmly. "The whole story has been uncovered. He's arriving at just the right time to help deliver justice!"
"Huh?!" Brody was visibly shocked. "You already got her to talk?!"
Christan gave a faint smile. "With girls like her, intimidation doesn't work. You have to be smart. Say the right things to strike a nerve, and she'll spill everything on her own."
"So what did she say? Why was she on the 36th floor?!"
"No rush-we'll wait for Xavier to arrive. You'll find out everything then. Right now, I need you to do something for me."
"What is it? Just say the word!"
"Help me bring a few people here."
"Alright, who?"
"Karina Carter, Clint Beckett, Serena Knowles, and Vega."
"Miss Carter?!" At the mention of Karina's name, Brody looked troubled. "Why do you need her?!"
"I have my reasons," Christan replied, then turned and went back inside without saying more.
Not long after, Xavier stormed onto the 36th floor.
As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he shouted furiously, "Who's the bastard that dared to mess with Serena?! Get out here! I'll peel your skin off today!"
Brody quickly stepped forward to calm him. "Sir, please don't be angry. Miss Knowles is fine. The drunk guy attacked another woman."
"What?!" Xavier froze in his tracks. "Another woman?! She's here?!"
"Yes."
"What the hell is going on?!" Narrowing his eyes, he scrutinized Brody.
Hearing the commotion, Christan also stepped out of the room.
Xavier turned his head and was even more confused. "Christan? You're here too?!"
"There," Christan gestured behind him. "The woman who was assaulted is inside-you should recognize her."
"Who?! Someone I know?" Xavier walked into the room, completely puzzled.
From a distance, he saw a woman sitting on the sofa with her head bowed.
Her face was obscured by her hair, which draped over her shoulders, making it hard to see clearly.
But judging by her figure and bearing, it was clear she wasn't Serena.
Xavier finally let out a breath of relief. As he walked over, he asked, "Who are you?"
Poppy turned her head toward him. "Mr... Mr. Blaze!"
"Miss Castano?! It's you?!" He stopped in his tracks and didn't walk any closer. "Why are you in the presidential suite?! I thought Mr. Beckett's room was on the 30th floor!"
"I..."
Christan followed behind and whispered, "It's a long story. When Karina gets here, you're in for quite a show."
"What the hell are you guys up to?! Karina is involved too?!"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Just then, the sound of messy footsteps came from outside the door.
Brody, standing by the entrance, called out, "Mr. Ryder, everyone you asked for is here!"
"Perfect! Please invite them in!"
"Right away!"
Xavier raised an eyebrow and glanced at Christan, full of questions.
Christan just smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Don't worry. You'll be thanking me soon enough."
***