Isadora set her phone down, and out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure standing by the marble dining table.


    She thought it was Victor-her eyes lit up in anticipation.


    But when she looked up, it was someone she had absolutely no desire to see. Instantly, Isadora''s warm expression vanished, reced by a frosty indifference.


    Elise stood there in a custom white dress, her long hair perfectly styled, arms folded tightly across her chest. Her voice was cold and using: "Isadora, what are you doing here?"


    Magnus''s Sky Dining membership card was with her how had Isadora gotten in?


    Isadora arched a brow at Elise''s questioning, unwilling to let this petty intrusion ruin her mood tonight.


    She leaned backzily in her chair, unbothered.


    "Do I need your permission to be anywhere, Elise?" she replied, her tone bored.


    Elise''s face turned an ugly shade of red, the alcohol in her system making her look even more disheveled and unhinged.


    "Don''t tter yourself, Isadora. The whole M Boutique situation-did you go to Magnus and tell him not to help me?"


    "I really didn''t expect you to be so conniving. You always act so high and mighty, but in reality, you''re just jealous of me, going behind my back like this. Ipletely underestimated you."


    Isadora couldn''t help butugh-loud and clear.


    Seriously? She had already caught this pair red-handed, yet Elise still wanted to shift the me onto her?


    As if she''d go begging Magnus for anything. And even if she had so what? Elise could do whatever she pleased, but Isadora was supposed to just stand aside and watch?


    Typical-some people could dish it out but couldn''t take it.


    Especially girls like Elise, who always put on a show.


    Still, looking at her now-flushed and flustered-Isadora had to admit, it was oddly satisfying.


    She nced up, her lips curling into a smirk. "What''s wrong, Elise? Are you after M Boutique too?"


    "Oh, silly me—I forgot. You''re one of the Harrisons'' spoiled little princesses, aren''t you?"


    "So, what''s the n? Going to brown-nose your way into their good graces with M Boutique? Just a word of advice: it''s a waste of time. From what I hear, Penelope Dawson isn''t someone you want to mess with."


    Elise''s anger, already simmering, now threatened to boil over-every word from Isadora felt like a dagger.


    She dropped any pretense ofposure.


    Unable to control herself, Elise grabbed a ss of water from the table, intent on hurling it at Isadora.


    But just as her arm swung upward, a strong hand shot out from behind and mped down on her wrist, stopping her cold.


    Before Elise could even react, the hand gave a sharp twist and flung her aside.


    Momentum carried the ss from her grip-it slipped out of her hand and cascaded straight down, drenching Elise in water from head to toe.


    Her white dress was soaked through in an instant, leaving her looking utterly humiliated.


    "Who the hell!” Elise sputtered, furious and ready to unleash a tirade.


    But the moment she saw who it was, all her bravado evaporated.


    Standing above her was none other than Victor-the Crown Prince of Capitolion himself.


    He towered over her, dressed in a tailored ck shirt and crisp dress pants that emphasized his tall,manding frame. A natural air of nobility clung to him, but his jet-ck eyes were now stormy with unmistakable fury.


    Elise barely knew Victor, but everyone in the city knew not to cross him.


    In an instant, she dropped her tough-girl act and scrambled to smooth her hair, trying to recover herposure.


    "Victor, I—I didn''t realize you were here. I just had too much to drink, that''s all. It''s not what it looked like..."


    Victor''s gaze was icy, sharp as ss. “And what exactly did I see, Elise?"


    She stammered, “I...I mean, Isadora was just insulting me, and I got upset. I lost control for a second."