All Chapters of The Poisoned Cup and The Scapegoat: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

I put on a smile and pushed the glass of wine toward Michael Ronan."Michael, shouldn't you two be feeding each other wine to celebrate?""Taylor, stop… How could I possibly…"Michael blushed as he lightly punched my shoulder before looking at Jade Shaw eagerly."Jade, you know how Taylor is. He just likes to joke around. If you feel shy, we can… just clink glasses."Jade cast me an icy gaze and said sarcastically, "Taylor Lowden, you sure know how to set things up."I found it comical.In my previous life, she also had the same fake, aloof demeanor. She clearly hated Michael, but she did not dare to say anything as she was intimidated by the Ronan family's wealth and influence.So, she called for a 'date', when in fact it was more of a gathering that day, trying to shift Michael's attention toward me.In my previous life, I saved Michael's life by knocking over the drugged wine, but he ended up killing me because of it.The moment before I was shoved off the building, I saw

Chapter 2

I clenched the hem of my shirt, my palms sweating.Just when I was racking my brain on how to deal with the situation, a hand suddenly reached in and snatched the glass away."Jade, this wine is so expensive! Letting him drink it would be a waste!"Michael glared at me, jealousy almost oozing out of his eyes.It was as if I had not snatched away a glass of drugged wine, but his very lifeline.At that instant, I almost laughed out loud.Jade had schemed and planned, only to be caught off guard by how possessive her lapdog could be.Michael clutched the glass and glared at me. "Taylor, please come with me. I'd like to speak to you in private."Then, he grabbed me and pulled me out of the room.Once the door shut, Michael instantly shot me eye daggers, warning in a hushed tone, "Taylor, are you asking for death once more? Didn't I just warn you not to spoil my fun?!"I pretended to not understand. I looked at him in confusion and asked, "Michael, what are you talking about? How

Chapter 3

I immediately stood up, my gaze sweeping over at Jade's darkened face."A-Alright, t-then I'll get moving. Jade, I'll let you look after Michael."When she heard that she had to look after that drunken alcoholic, her expression darkened as if she had just swallowed something bitter.When I got up, I pretended to slip and ended up falling on Jade."I'm sorry!"Jade subconsciously raised her hand to block my fall. She frowned and looked at me in disgust."What the hell man? Can't you even stand properly?""I'm sorry, Jade," I apologized frantically while secretly stealing a small vial from her jacket pocket.With it, I was not going to become the scapegoat anymore.Suppressing a smile, I turned around and left.I immediately hailed a taxi to a testing facility and submitted the small glass bottle I had taken from Jade for analysis.After I came out from a comfortable hot shower, the test results were out.When I saw the results, I was stunned.The final conclusion was writte

Chapter 4

When I arrived at the hospital, the corridors of the emergency department were in utter chaos.Michael's parents, Felix Ronan and Ruth Clement, as well as Jade, were anxiously waiting outside the operating theater.When they spotted me, Jade instantly stormed up to me with an icy gaze."Taylor, what did you let him drink? Did you poison the wine?!"I sneered in retort. "Jade, you're one to talk. You brought the wine and poured it. I never once touched the wine."I emphasized, "You, on the other hand, were spending time alone with him. Who knows what you've done?"Jade's face turned pale in shock. "What nonsense are you on about? I didn't do anything! That was just…"She suddenly trailed off. Even if she admitted that it was just vitamin C, the very action of her spiking the wine was suspicious enough.At that moment, the lights to the operating theater turned off as the medical staff wheeled Michael out.Felix and Ruth cried and ran over.Although Michael was conscious, his f

Chapter 5

Ruth cursed at me viciously. "Lock him up! This murderer should be shot to death!"Jade let out a sigh of relief as well. Her eyes gleaming, reveling in my misfortune.Michael smirked arrogantly at me.I opened my mouth, trying to explain myself, but found no words. A group of onlookers had formed. Some were even taking photos.The police escorted me into their vehicle. At the police station, I was interrogated for 48 hours.Officer Walton kept asking me where I got the drug from, but I told him I knew nothing.Fortunately, although my prints were on Michael's glass, the police could not find anything on me, my house, or my internet records regarding buying the drugs.Under my lawyer's guarantee, I was released on bail pending further investigation.I had just parted ways with my lawyer when I looked at my phone and countless messages flooded in.The source of it all was because Michael had posted a video online. In the video, he wore an oxygen mask, his face pale, righteous

Chapter 6

Did Jade not make a move?I caught those words.Seemingly realizing that he had misspoke, Michael's gaze flickered for a moment before turning vicious once more."Anyway, Jade completely hates you now! She and I will become lovers sooner or later. Taylor, you're nothing but a loser!"I could not care less about his relationship with Jade, but he seemed to have been really eager that Jade drugged him.I only found out that the drug was not lethal after I took it from Jade. Michael could not possibly have known about it before.He was not a fool, so why would he drink something he knew was poisoned?Unless, he thought that the drug had other uses.Thinking back about that day at the hospital where the doctor said that he was poisoned with sedatives, an absurd yet extremely logical thought exploded in my mind.I suddenly spoke with a terrifyingly calm voice. "Michael, it wasn't Jade or I who drugged you, right?"Michael froze. "What are you talking about?""I'm saying, you knew

Chapter 7

At that moment, urgent knocking and blares of police sirens came from outside the door."Police! Open up!"I was on the phone with Officer Walton before Michael had arrived. I did not hang up the call, so he heard everything that was happening.The police quickly seized Michael and carefully collected the small vial underneath my feet."No! It wasn't me! He framed me! Taylor stuffed it into my pocket!"Michael was resisting, trying to get out of the police's reins.Officer Walton looked at him frostily and took out a pair of handcuffs."Mr. Ronan, whether it's yours or not, we'll immediately find out after a fingerprint test. Besides, we heard your conversation earlier. Just come with us."Before they left, I handed the report of the contents of Jade's vial to Officer Walton."Officer Walton, I retrieved this at the scene of the crime. The report confirms that it's just vitamin C. It's enough to prove that Jade brought false drugs. I had no drugs with me. The real drug is the

Chapter 8

As expected, not long after, Felix and Ruth came looking for me.They arrived with bodyguards and a lawyer, storming straight into my rented apartment.Their arrogant posture made it seem as if merely stepping inside was an insult to them."Taylor, you bringer of misfortune! As if you hadn't hurt Michael enough, now you've got him in jail?!" Ruth pointed at me and yelled."Sign this letter of reconciliation at once, admitting that you were the one who incited Michael to take the drug. We'll pay you and send you abroad!"She added, "If not, just you watch!"Felix looked stern and said authoritatively, "If you know what's good for you, you'd sign. A nobody like you, with no power or background… Our family could crush you as easily as an ant."Don't think that just because the police found something, you can turn things around. As long as we insist it was you, who do you think the judge will believe?"I clenched my fist in my pocket, as if I could still feel the lingering weight o

Chapter 9

Time seemed to have frozen.Ruth's hand started trembling and the report slipped to the ground."H-How c-could this be possible? T-Taylor is…"Felix stumbled as well. He stared at my face, the face that looked very much like his when he was young, in completely disbelief.A moment ago, they were about to break their real son's legs, threatening him to be a scapegoat for their fake son.The truth was like a huge slap on their faces.I straightened my clothes and walked up to him."Mr. and Mrs. Ronan, do you still want me to sign the letter of reconciliation?"They reeled from their shock when they heard my voice. Ruth rushed over, trying to hug me, but I coldly dodged her.She instantly looked hurt and embarrassed at the same time."Taylor, I didn't know. I-I didn't know you were my real son. If I knew, I would have protected you."Felix sighed too, trying to use family to win me over."Taylor, now that the truth is out, let the past be the past. I'll make it up to you."I

Chapter 10

Felix's gaze instantly darkened.As a businessman, the one thing he hated the most was to be toyed with or being schemed against like a fool."Damn that Jade Shaw! How dare she scheme against our family?" Felix exclaimed through gritted teeth."Taylor, don't worry. I'll happily agree to your condition. Even if you didn't bring it up, I wouldn't let such an ungrateful tramp go!"To them, sacrificing an outsider like Jade to save their adopted son and reclaim their biological son was a deal too profitable to refuse.Under the Ronan family's ruthless suppression, the Shaw family's shares plummeted. The bank voided their loans and all their business deals were canceled.In less than half a month, the Shaw family declared bankruptcy, burdened with a massive debt.Jade fell from a high and mighty wealthy heiress to a disgraced socialite overnight.I signed the letter of reconciliation as agreed.However, Michael's crime, illegal possession of prohibited drugs, was a public prosecuti

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