I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

If the dishes on the table made Joy Chaucer uneasy, Meredith's words were a direct blow to her soul. Did Meredith know about her using food incompatibilities to harm Bianca's body? It must be; otherwise, it wouldn't be such a coincidence that all four dishes on the table were incompatible. Meredith was deliberately testing her.

Joy Chaucer pretended to be calm and ate the food in her bowl. Eating a little wouldn't kill her. Meredith wasn't surprised; she knew Joy Chaucer would eat. But what difference did it make if she ate once? Only frequent consumption could truly harm one's health.

Because Joy Chaucer ate, Meredith was even more convinced that Joy Chaucer understood food incompatibilities and that her mother's illness was connected to Joy Chaucer. However, Joy Chaucer had been too discreet. Her mother had already been cremated and buried, making it very difficult to accuse Joy Chaucer without evidence. Without proof and with Joy Chaucer's denial, there was no way to make her confess.

Meredith looked at Joy Chaucer, her mind filled with images of her mother's tragic death. She gripped her wine glass tightly, with a thousand thoughts of killing Joy Chaucer to avenge her mother. Just as Meredith could no longer bear it, Terrence Sterling walked over and quietly took her hand. "Meredith, you're tired. Go rest for a while; let me entertain."

It was cruel to make Meredith face her mother's killer. Meredith snapped out of it and looked at Terrence Sterling, who had quietly taken the wine glass from her hand. If he hadn't taken it away, she might have shattered it and used the shards to end Joy Chaucer.

Terrence Sterling signaled to Linda behind him, who then came over and supported Meredith as she left. Facing Terrence Sterling made Joy Chaucer feel intimidated. She wanted to get up and leave but was pressed back down by Terrence Sterling. "The meal isn't finished yet; why leave so early? Otherwise, people might say our Sterling family didn't treat you well."

Terrence Sterling placed the turtle and amaranth dishes in front of Joy Chaucer and commanded, "Eat." Upon learning that Joy Chaucer had gone to the lounge to find Little Lucky, Terrence Sterling had felt an urge to strangle her. How dare she target his daughter?

Joy Chaucer's heart raced with fear as Terrence Sterling whispered something in her ear. He said, "There are thousands of guests today, and the food is provided by the hotel. Even if something goes wrong, like food poisoning, it has nothing to do with our Sterling family."

These words terrified Joy Chaucer. Yes, there were so many guests, and the Sterling family was hosting an open banquet. If she got sick from eating, it would be the hotel's responsibility since the dishes weren't prepared by the Sterling family. Turtle and amaranth were incompatible foods that could cause poisoning-something most people didn't know. The Sterling family had a perfect excuse.

"I'm full," Joy Chaucer stood up. "I'm not feeling well; I'll head back first."

Terrence Sterling commanded sternly, "Joy Chaucer, you've only taken one bite; why leave now? Finish these two dishes first. Popo hasn't eaten for days; last time, he tasted your finger and has been craving more."

The implication was clear: if Joy Chaucer didn't eat the food, she'd have to feed Popo instead.

Terrence Sterling wanted Joy Chaucer to eat all the food despite knowing it would poison her.

Joy Chaucer looked at Terrence Sterling as memories from that day flooded back, making her shiver all over.

She sat down obediently and began eating. Her hands trembled as she took the first bite.

To outsiders, it seemed like Terrence Sterling was being very hospitable without any hint of threat.

After finishing the turtle and amaranth dishes, Joy Chaucer felt utterly drained from fear.

Only then did Terrence Sterling allow her to leave.

Once out of the hotel, Joy Chaucer quickly found Ferris Bright. "Take me to the hospital for a stomach pump," she said urgently while clutching his hand for support. Ferris Bright asked, "What's wrong?"

"They poisoned me," she urged again. "Hurry, take me to the hospital."

Joy Chaucer already felt terrible; her lips were pale, and her face was ghostly white.

Ferris Bright took her to the hospital where it was confirmed she had food poisoning.

The stomach pumping process was excruciating for Joy Chaucer; she felt nauseated and went through significant suffering.