Isadora turned away, her knuckles white as she gripped her phone. "Fine. Don''t believe me if you don''t want to."


    Her mother scoffed, turning to her husband. "Look at her, darling. How did we end up with a daughter who lies so easily, without even blinking?"


    Richard tried to soothe Eleanor, then addressed Isadora in a calm, measured tone. "Of course I hope Mr. Fitzgerald would consider you, but as your mother said, our family isn''t exactly in that league. No matter what happened with your rtionship, tonight the Vaughans cannot afford to lose face."


    Isadora let out a bitterugh. "So to you, my feelings are nothing more than a matter of appearances."


    Eleanor stiffened, voice cold. "Every family in high society is like this. Or do you still think you''re little Isadora, Ca''s daughter from that back alley?"


    The words hung in the air. The room went silent, tension crackling between them. Isadora''s eyshes fluttered, the pain flickering across her face.


    Eleanor realized she''d gone too far, cursing herself for bringing up that unlucky woman from prison again.


    “Enough, enough. Let''s go downstairs and greet the guests," she said to her husband, both of them storming out in a huff.


    Isadora felt utterly drained.


    She knew that just insisting Victor was her boyfriend wouldn''t convince anyone- least of all her family. Even she didn''t have the conviction to back it up.


    What should have been her happiest day had devolved into the same stifling gloom as every other year.


    Maybe she just wasn''t meant to celebrate birthdays.


    She walked over to the window, pulling back the curtains.


    Below, the garden was alive withughter and chatter. Guests mingled, sses clinked, and socialites twirled across the dance floor in graceful waltzes.


    A knock sounded at her door.


    "Young miss, Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan are asking for you. The party''s starting."


    Isadora called out that she''d heard, taking a deep breath to steady herself before heading down.


    Her dressing room was at the far end of the second floor. As she stepped into the hallway, the hush of the corridor pressed in.


    Halfway down, a door beside her swung open without warning.


    A strong hand shot out, gripping her wrist like a vice and yanking her inside.


    Isadora staggered, nearly losing her bnce. Across from her stood Pearl, eyes narrowed to slits, re sharp as a hawk''s cold, predatory, unblinking.


    The room was pitch dark, save for the erratic sh of headlights through the window, throwing strange shadows across the walls.


    The eerie atmosphere prickled goosebumps along Isadora''s arms.


    "Pearl, what game are you ying now?"


    Pearl''s lips curled into a menacing smirk. "Isadora, there''s only room for one of us."


    In the fleeting light, Isadora caught a glimmer of madness in Pearl''s eyes. "Pearl, I''m really not in the mood for your theatrics today. I have a birthday party to get to."


    As Isadora turned to leave, Pearl''s face twisted with rage. "Leave the Vaughan family, and I''ll let you go. That''s all it takes, Isadora."


    Her voice was icy. "The house is full of guests. Cause a scene, and everyone will finally see you for who you are."


    She moved to go. In a sh, Pearl lunged, clutching Isadora''s arm with bruising force, dragging her toward the window.


    Pain shot through Isadora''s wrist as she twisted free, shoving Pearl aside.


    Pearl stumbled, crashing against the window frame, half her body dangling dangerously.


    At that moment, Prescott''s voice sounded from the hallway. "Pearl? You finished changing your jewelry? What''s going on in there?"


    Pearl nced down, her expression turning resolute, almost wild.


    "Isadora, after tonight, you''ll know what it means to be utterly ruined."


    A sharp click-the bedroom door swung open as Prescott stepped in.


    At the very same instant-


    A sickening thud echoed from outside as Pearl hurled herself from the window, her body plummeting out of sight.