The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)
Chapter 764

Tristan had heard through the grapevine that Anastasia and Jarod would be meeting here tonight for some business discussions, so he made sure to arrive early and wait patiently for things to unfold.

Jarod was infamous for his wandering eye, and Tristan had a devious plan. A little something extra in the drink could lead to quite the scandalous evening.

The media had already been tipped off, just waiting for his signal. By tomorrow morning, the tabloids would be buzzing with headlines about Anastasia and Jarod's little escapade. Tristan was eager to see how Anastasia would manage to stay in the good graces of the Salstrom family after this mess.

A widow, with Herman barely cold in his grave, and she'd be caught in a scandal with another man. It was enough to tarnish Anastasia's reputation permanently.

Ever since Anastasia had kicked him out of Elysian Technologies, Tristan nursed a grudge, longing for the perfect opportunity to get back at her.

And tonight, that opportunity had finally arrived.

A waitress took the packet of powder from Tristan's hand, nodding confidently, "Don't worry, Mr. Tristan. It'll be handled. Just wait for my signal."

With the powder secured, she headed off to fetch the drinks.

Drugging Anastasia was only half the plan; Tristan also needed to distract Nelson, her vigilant bodyguard.

Nelson's presence made it nearly impossible to make a move.

But Tristan had a trick up his sleeve.

Shortly after the waitress delivered the drinks to the private room, a drunken man, flanked by two henchmen, stumbled aggressively toward Nelson.

The man, clearly looking for trouble, taunted Nelson. When Nelson ignored him, the drunk threw a punch, and suddenly the hallway descended into chaos. A bottle shattered against Nelson's head, sending blood streaming down and causing quite the commotion, frightening some nearby staff.

Inside the soundproof room, unaware of the ruckus outside, Anastasia was deep in conversation with Jarod about the South Bay Project over a few glasses of whiskey.

She had done her homework on the project, drawing from discussions she'd had with Herman. Her insights impressed Jarod, who seemed genuinely interested in a potential collaboration.

The chaos outside quickly subsided. Nelson was taken away by paramedics, and the PR team scrambled to follow him to the hospital.

Inside the room, after one too many drinks, Anastasia began feeling uneasy, a feverish warmth spreading through her body.

Jarod, too was feeling the effects of the alcohol. Already captivated by Anastasia, the combination of booze and whatever else was in his system made him lose his sense of restraint.

He reached for Anastasia's hand, eyes gleaming with desire. "Anastasia, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Stay with me, let me take care of you."

As Jarod leaned in closer, Anastasia

realized what was unfolding. She shoved him away, eyes darting to the drink, her voice rising in anger. "Did you drug me, Jarod? I thought you were better than this."

She called him by his first name, her voice a mix of fear and fury.

Her body felt on fire, the drug threatening to overpower her will.

Jarod, grasping the seriousness of the situation, tried to explain. "Anastasia, I swear, I didn't drug you. Whoever did, may they rot in hell Yet, struggling with his own control, he moved closer again, pulling her in It's fate, Anastasia, stay with me, let me care for you."

Her scent was intoxicating, and Jarod's true nature emerged, his actions becoming frenzied as he pushed Anastasia onto the couch.

Panic surged through Anastasia. She fought back with everything she had, but her limbs felt like jelly, and her mind was clouded by the drug's effects.

"Jarod, let me go, let me go..." she cried desperately, calling out for Nelson, "Nelson, Nelson..."

But no one came.

Despair set in, her throat dry, the dim lighting and Jarod's looming presence blurring her senses. Memories she had long buried began to surface, familiar yet distant.

It was a scene from years ago, eerily similar to now. The same dim light overhead, but the man was different.

She clung to those fragmented memories, finally focusing on the face of the man from her past. She could see him clearly now... it was him.