Sandra pulled away from Evelyn, a tense smile playing on her lips. "Thank you so much, Eve. Thank you for hearing me out and forgiving me," Sandra said, though she wasn't sure Evelyn believed her story. Evelyn smiled. "I'm just glad we can put this behind us."

"Me too. Now I can order a drink," Sandra said, signaling the bartender and leaning slightly over the counter. "Can I get a cocktail, please?"

The bartender glanced up from polishing a glass and nodded. "Sure. What kind of cocktail would you like?"

Just as Sandra was about to respond, Rayna appeared beside her, a wide smile on her face. "Oh, get her the same drink you served us earlier, please," Rayna said cheerfully, sliding into the conversation.

"You're back," Sandra noted with a forced smile.

"Yeah. I saw you two hugging from across the room and thought, 'Why not join my favorite duo?'" She winked at them both and leaned her elbows on the bar.

Sandra offered a weak smile, trying to regain her composure. "Sure. Let's all have the same."

"So, all is forgiven and forgotten, right?" Rayna asked Evelyn, who remained silent. Sandra reached for Evelyn's hand, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Forgiven and forgotten."

Evelyn felt her skin crawl as Sandra touched her, but she resisted the urge to shudder. After mixing Sandra's drink, the bartender placed it in front of her. Before she could reach for it, Rayna's eyes twinkled. "Hey, Sandy, isn't that your high school crush?" she teased, pointing toward the crowd.

"Tyler? Where?" Sandra asked as she and Evelyn turned to look, their eyes scanning the room. Rayna subtly switched Sandra's drink with Evelyn's, adding a bit from Sandra's to top off Evelyn's. The action was swift and unnoticed—except by Evelyn, who'd seen it from the corner of her eye. After feeling Sandra's suspicious arm movement during their embrace, she'd planned not to touch her drink and order something else if necessary. She was glad Rayna had switched them; now she could see if Sandra had drugged her drink.

"That's not Tyler. They don't even look alike," Sandra said, turning back. Evelyn calmly reached for Sandra's untouched glass, raising it to her lips and taking a small sip. She met Rayna's gaze knowingly but said nothing.

Unaware of the switch, Sandra picked up Evelyn's glass and smiled, holding it out. "Let's toast—to sisterhood and friendship," she said, her voice brighter, noticing Evelyn sipping her drink.

Evelyn smiled tightly, clinking glasses with Sandra and Rayna. "To sisterhood and friendship," she repeated, her eyes locking with Rayna's, who gave a subtle smirk. They all drank. The tension seemed to ease for a moment.

After a few minutes, Evelyn stood. "I need to use the restroom. I'll be right back," she said casually, leaving Sandra and Rayna alone so she could give Sandra room to plot with Rayna.

As soon as Evelyn was gone, Rayna turned to Sandra with a pleased smile. "That was quick. I'm glad I could help," she said, picking up her phone and turning on the voice recorder. Sandra resisted rolling her eyes and smiled sweetly. "Yeah, it was. Thanks for doing this, Ray, but I still need your help with something else," she said quietly.

Rayna raised an eyebrow. "What is it this time?"

Sandra leaned closer. "Can you pretend something urgent came up and leave? I need more time alone with Evelyn. You know, bonding. It won't be the same if you're here."

Rayna raised a brow. "What about Michael? When is he getting here?"

"He's here already. He's in the room I reserved for them"

"Michael knows you're bringing Evelyn to the room?" Rayna asked curiously.

"Yeah. I promised him I'd help him talk to Evelyn," Sandra assured her. "I'll get Evelyn to go back to the room with me so I can lock her up with Michael. They can talk things over," Sandra explained.

Rayna stared at her, then shook her head slowly. "Why would you risk everything for that? You just reconciled with her. If she finds out you did this because of Michael, you'll lose her trust forever."

Sandra frowned, her voice insistent. "Trust me. I have a plan. Just do this for me."

Rayna hesitated, her fingers drumming on the bar. "I don't know, Sandy. This feels like a terrible idea."

Before Sandra could respond, she felt drowsy. Her eyelids fluttered. "I I don't know why I feel so tired," she mumbled, rubbing her temples. "Was it the wine earlier? Was the medication that potent?"

Rayna's expression changed to concern. "Are you okay?"

Sandra nodded slowly but couldn't shake the heaviness in her limbs. "Yeah."

Evelyn returned, her sharp gaze taking in Sandra's sluggish movements. She shot Rayna a meaningful look. Sandra turned to Evelyn and signaled Rayna to leave.

Evelyn raised a brow. "You should go. I'll be fine with Evelyn."

As they embraced, Rayna whispered that she would be outside with Derek. Once Rayna was gone, Sandra yawned, wondering why she wasn't drowsy yet. Figuring Evelyn hadn't drunk enough, she sluggishly suggested, "Let's finish our cocktails and head up to my room."

"Your room? You have a room here? What for?" Evelyn asked innocently.

"Yeah. I told you I left home because I couldn't face Mom and Dad. I had a long, terrible day. I feel really exhausted, but I don't want tonight to end yet. So, let's go up to my room and chat for a bit. Drink up," Sandra urged Evelyn.

Evelyn agreed, and they downed their drinks. As Sandra finished, she blinked hard, her vision blurring. "Why aren't you feeling sleepy?" she asked, her words slurring.

Evelyn smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming. "Why should I feel sleepy? I don't have a job yet, remember? I don't feel as exhausted as you."

"But you're supposed to be feeling sleepy," Sandra said, confused.

Evelyn laughed softly. "Am I? Oh, did you, by chance, put anything in my drink? Perhaps that's why you're feeling drowsy. I might have switched our drinks mistakenly."

Sandra, struggling to keep her eyes open, looked surprised. "You switched them?" she stammered, disbelief filling her voice.

Evelyn nodded, leaning closer, her voice cold. "You really think I'd fall for your cheap tricks? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

Sandra tried to speak but couldn't. Her body slumped against the bar as exhaustion overtook her, and she passed out.

Evelyn calmly called Derek. Moments later, Derek and Rayna arrived, concerned. Evelyn gestured toward the sleeping Sandra.

"I need to take her to the room," she said, her tone steady.

"Sure. Let's do that"

"I need your help to get her out of here, but I don't want you involved once we're there. Just assist me in getting her to the room."

Derek frowned. "What if something goes wrong?"

Evelyn waved off his concern. "Rayna can wait outside the door, and you can stay some feet away. I'll handle the rest. If she planned for something to happen, there could be a camera in the room. I don't want it capturing either of you."

They nodded, and together, they helped Evelyn carry Sandra to the hotel suite (Derek knew the suite number from Michael's text to Sandra). Once there, Evelyn dragged Sandra inside and laid her on the bed next to the unconscious Michael. She paused, shaking her head. Before leaving, Evelyn took a picture of Sandra and Michael together—perfect evidence of their "reconciliation." Satisfied, she slipped out, leaving them in their compromised positions. She met Derek and Rayna outside, a small, triumphant smile on her lips. "Let's go," she said simply, and they walked away.