George's Point of View


I stood near the stage, and held a clipboard in my hand. Everything was going perfectly and the fake youth conference looked real. The hall was full with Important people sitting in the front row. Cameras were ready and lights were on.

I smiled. 'This is it," I whispered to myself.

Nathan was not here. He didn't want to show his face, but I, George, his co-founder, was here to make sure the plan works.


People walked around wearing tags and they thought this was a real conference to help young people grow their businesses. But it was not. It was a sweet, clean trap for Jane Grande.

Nathan's idea was perfect. If we make the conference look real and invite big guests, call media houses, decorate the place with banners and pictures, then Jane would believe it and she did, she was coming and we got her.


I looked over at the main table and It was the 'high table," where the most important guests would sit. Jane's name was printed in gold letters in the middle seat.

'Perfect," I said.

I walked over to the bar counter, where a young lady was standing and her name was Nessa. She was the receptionist Nathan paid.

I nodded at her and she looked nervous.

'Everything ready?" I asked.

She nodded slowly. 'Yes. I have mixed the drink just like you said. It will not kill her… but it will make her very sick and destroy the pregnancy."

'Good," I said. 'Make sure you serve it only to her. No mistake."

She bit her lip. 'Are you sure this is safe?"

I leaned in close and whispered, 'Do your job and keep quiet. Or you will be the one to pay."

She nodded quickly and walked away.

People were clapping now and the MC was speaking, he talked about 'building the future," and 'supporting youth talent." I almost laughed. This was all a show.

Then I saw them.

Jane walks in. She was wearing a black suit with gold buttons and her hair was tied back neatly. Next to her was Rita, her top analyst. They smiled and waved as people cheered. Flashing lights from cameras follow them.

Jane looked proud, confident and like she owned the world, but not for long.

I watched her closely as she was led to the high table. She sat in the middle, nodding politely to the other dignitaries, she didn't know what was coming.

The waiter brought drinks to the high table.

My heart raised

Nessa was watching from the corner and she was shaking slightly and Jane took her glass, lifted it and drank.

A slow smile formed on my lips.

'Now," I whispered, 'let's see how strong you really are, Jane Grande."

___

Jane's Point of View

The hall was full and every seat was taken. I could see young people with bright eyes and eager faces. Cameras flashed and I felt proud to be here.

I stepped up to the stage as my name was called.

'Please welcome our special guest speaker, Jane Grande!"

The crowd clapped and I smiled and waved. My heels tapped gently on the wooden floor as I walked to the podium. The mic was ready and my speech was folded neatly in my hand.

I felt strong and felt hopeful.

I started speaking.

'Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I am honored to be here today to speak about something close to my heart, how young people can build their dreams"

The crowd listened closely.

But suddenly, something changed.

A strange feeling crept into my stomach. It was not normal and my body felt weak. I felt like my voice was far away.

I paused and took a breath and placed a hand on the podium, and tried to hide the pain.

'Sometimes, the journey to success is not straight," I said but my voice shook a little.

My stomach tightened again, and with a sharp this time. It was like something was biting me from the inside.

I kept talking, but my speech slowed down and I felt sweat on my forehead and my vision blurred slightly.

What was happening to me?

I looked around the hall, faces blurred for a second, and then it was cleared again. I tried to smile through the pain and I thought maybe the pregnancy was causing it. Probably the baby was just active, I told myself.

But deep down, something felt wrong.

'I… I will just take a moment to sip some water," I said into the mic, forcing a small laugh.

I stepped back from the podium.

Rita ran up to me with a bottle of water. 'Are you okay?" she whispered.

I nodded weakly. 'Just the baby, maybe…"

I took a sip and then everything goes dark.

___

I woke up to the sound of beeping machines, white ceiling and clean sheets.

Hospital?

My eyes blinked slowly, adjusting to the light and my hand touched my belly first.

Is the baby okay?

The door opened and a doctor walked in. His face was calm but serious.

'You are awake," he said softly.

'What happened to me?" I asked, my voice shaking.

'You were poisoned," he said 'But we were able to flush it out quickly. That saved both you and the baby."

My eyes widened. 'My baby… is the baby okay?"

He nodded. 'Yes. The baby was fine. But you need medication and rest. Your system was weak. Don't miss your treatment."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath of relief. 'Thank God…"

But then, anger rose inside me.

Who did this?

Who would tried to poison a pregnant woman in public?

I reached for my phone. My hands were still shaking, but I managed to call Tom. His voice picked up quickly.

'Jane?"

'Tom. I need you and the team, now! Dig up everything about that youth conference. I want to know who really created it. I want the names behind it. I want evidence."

'Right away," he said.

'And Tom…" 'Yes?"

'Whoever was behind this," I paused, my voice calm but cold. 'I want them behind bars. I want them ruined."

I hung up.

Then I stared at the ceiling, thinking.

Why?

Why would someone go this far?

Was it business? Revenge? Hades?

No. This felt personal.

Too personal.

I remember Nathan's face.

That soft voice, that fake apology, that fake concern.

Could it be…?

I didn't know yet. But I will.

One thing was sure.

Whoever did this, messed with the wrong woman.