The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Jacob appeared outside Serena's company again. Having learned his lesson, he didn't barge in this time, but lurked around, furtively watching the entrance.
Ever since Serena rejected him last time, she had been going out of her way to avoid him.
Erika sashayed over, swaying her hips, and with a sly smile said, "Mr. Banks, what brings you here?"
Jacob jumped in surprise and spun around. "You again? Get lost." He was already agitated, and seeing Erika only made matters worse.
Erika smirked, "What's wrong? Afraid I'll ruin your little scheme?"
"Erika, I'm telling you. Stay the hell away from me," Jacob warned.
"Don't be so cruel, darling. My feelings for you are genuine," Erika explained.
Jacob grabbed her wrist and flung her aside. He snapped, "Get lost."
Erika stumbled back a few steps, almost losing her balance. Instead of getting angry, she sidled up to Jacob, lowered her voice conspiratorially, and said, "Mr. Banks, I know you want Serena."
Jacob sneered, "What's it to you?"
"I can help you have her," Erika offered.
Jacob froze. "What do you mean?"
Erika whispered something in Jacob's ear. His expression shifted from confusion to surprise, and finally, a sly smile appeared.
"Alright, Erika, I didn't expect this from you. I'll be waiting for your good news." With that, Jacob gave her a satisfied pat on the shoulder and walked away, looking quite pleased.
Erika watched Jacob walk away, a sinister smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
Back at the office, Erika strode straight over to Daisy's desk. "Daisy, come with me," she commanded, then turned on her heel and marched into the restroom without waiting for a response.
Daisy looked up and saw the malicious grin on Erika's face. A chill ran down her spine, but she still trailed after her obediently, unable to refuse.
Daisy hesitated, then asked softly, "Erika, was there something you needed to talk to me about?"
Erika said, "It's simple. Drug Serena."
"Huh? Wh-what did you just say?" Daisy was stunned.
"Are you deaf or just stupid? I told you to drug Serena," Erika snapped.
Daisy shook her head, trying desperately to maintain her composure.
"Cut the act. Want to get fired or what?" Erika closed in on Daisy, her voice dripping with malice. Erika smirked and said, "Play along, and you'll be well rewarded."
"I-I really can't do this," Daisy hesitated.
"Can't do it? Then you should know the company has no place for dead weight like you," Erika sneered.
Daisy clenched her fists, her face pale as she forced herself to speak. "Ms. Gray has always been kind to me. I can't hurt her."
"Cut the crap," Erika snapped.
Erika's patience wore thin. She stepped closer, fixing Daisy with an icy, unyielding stare.
"Either you do as I say, or don't even think about setting foot in the office again today. Your replacement will be in your seat before the day's out," Erika warned.
Daisy struggled to steady her nerves, but felt her self-control slipping away, even as her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her blouse, knuckles turning pale.
Erika curled her lips in a cold smirk. "Choose. Help me, or get out?"
"O-Okay, I'll do it," Daisy said. Tears welling in her eyes, she cast a fleeting glance at Erika before lowering her head, her heart heavy with shame and resignation.
Erika smiled with satisfaction, "That's more like it."
At lunchtime, Daisy and Serena were having a meal together. Serena noticed that Daisy seemed distracted throughout the meal, her mind clearly elsewhere.
"Daisy, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Serena asked.
"It's nothing, just been feeling a bit worn out lately," Daisy said.
Serena watched Daisy's forced smile, unable to shake the feeling that something was off. Daisy had been absent-minded all day, occasionally casting furtive, anxious glances Serena's way.
Serena remembered how Erika had bullied Daisy before. 'Could it be that Erika is picking on her again?' she wondered, setting down her fork. With concern, she asked, "Daisy, are you sure you're okay? Did Erika give you trouble again?"
Daisy frantically waved her hands and stammered, "It's nothing, Ms. Gray. Really, please don't worry about me."
She drooped her head, her face turning slightly pale. Her eyes darted away nervously as her fingers twisted anxiously at the corner of her clothes.
Seeing Daisy like this, Serena grew even more convinced that she was hiding something from her.
"Daisy, if you're going through anything difficult, please let me know. I'll do everything in my power to help you," said Serena.
Daisy looked up. Her eyes were brimming with unshed tears, but she bit her lip and remained silent.
That evening, after getting off work, Serena returned home, slipped into her comfy loungewear, and was just about to start dinner. Just then, her phone rang.
Seeing it was Daisy calling, Serena answered right away. On the other end, Daisy's voice was choked with sobs. "Serena, can you come over? I-I'm falling apart."
"What's wrong? What happened? Where are you right now?" Serena was scared.
"I'm at home. P-Please come quickly." Daisy's voice broke into sobs before the line went dead abruptly.
Worried that something might have happened to Daisy, Serena rushed over without hesitation. The moment Serena stepped inside, she saw Daisy curled up on the sofa, hugging a pillow, sobbing uncontrollably with her face buried in a cushion.
Serena rushed to her side, worry etched on her face. "Daisy, what happened?"
"Serena, I just got dumped," Daisy choked out, her voice trembling.
Serena gently patted Daisy's back and said softly, "It's okay. This, too, shall pass."
Daisy's voice trembled as she said, "Serena, I-I really need a drink. Will you join me?"
Serena was worried. She nodded gently. "Of course. What would you like to drink?"
Daisy stood up, her steps slightly unsteady as she made her way to the kitchen. She pulled out two bottles of red wine and a pair of wine glasses from the cabinet.
She uncorked the bottle of red wine and filled both glasses to the brim, then handed one to Serena.
Without a second thought, Serena took the glass and downed it in one gulp. After just two glasses, her head spun violently and her limbs turned to lead, as if the room was tilting beneath her feet.
"Serena, are you alright?" Daisy asked, her voice tinged with anxious concern.
Serena murmured weakly, "I-I don't feel so good."
"Serena, you're looking pale. Maybe you should lie down on the sofa for a bit?" said Daisy.
Serena gave a weak nod. With Daisy supporting her, she shuffled slowly to the sofa and collapsed onto it. Her consciousness began to fade like mist, her eyelids growing heavier with every second.
'Why am I so tired? I can barely keep my eyes open,' she thought, struggling to fight it, but her body simply refused to obey.
'What's going on? I usually hold my liquor pretty well, so why am I already feeling dizzy after just two glasses today?' she thought. Before Serena knew it, everything went black as she slipped into a deep, unnatural sleep.
Daisy watched as Serena slipped into unconsciousness. With a pounding heart, she gently nudged Serena's shoulder. And she called out tentatively, "Ms. Gray?"
Serena remained unresponsive, fast asleep. After confirming she was truly out cold, Daisy pulled out her phone. Her finger hovered over the send button, wavering with hesitation.
Daisy glanced back at Serena, who was lying unconscious on the sofa. Guilt and anxiety twisted inside her. She bit down so hard on her lower lip that a trace of blood seeped out.
Finally, Daisy squeezed her eyes shut and, with trembling fingers, tapped send. [Ms. Gray is out cold.]
In her drug-induced haze, Serena faintly heard the soft creak of a door opening. Through the fog of her consciousness, she sensed someone speaking nearby.
"Nicely done," Erika smirked triumphantly as she gazed down at Serena sprawled on the sofa.
"W-Will she be okay?" Daisy hesitated.