I could feel every eye in the room burning into me as I stood my ground. The weight of their judgment was almost palpable, but I refused to show any weakness. Julian''s smirk widened as he watched me, clearly savoring what he believed would be my downfall.


    "Mr. Knight," a smooth voice called from my left. I turned to see Damian Prescott approaching, champagne flute in hand. "With Miss Ashworth''s backing, I wouldn''t worry too much about Julian''s... theatrics."


    I nodded slightly. "I appreciate your concern."


    "The Ashworth name carries significant weight," he continued, just loud enough for nearby guests to hear. "More than most in this room would care to admit."


    Before I could respond, another figure materialized beside us. Roman Volkov, known for his extensive business connections across Veridia City, offered his hand.


    "We haven''t been properly introduced. Roman Volkov," he said, his ent thick but his grip firm. "I''ve heard interesting things about you, Mr. Knight."


    "All bad, I assume?" I replied with a hint of dry humor.


    Roman''s lips curved upward. "Not all. And I''ve learned to form my own opinions rather than listen to gossip."


    A hush fell over the crowd as Julian Hawthorne cut through the party, a tall white-haired young man in tow. Julian''s eyes were cold, his expression one of practiced superiority.


    "Well, well," Julian announced loudly, "the uninvited guest seems to be making himself quitefortable." He stopped directly in front of me. "Tell me, Knight, do you often crash parties you haven''t been invited to?"


    I met his gaze steadily. "I''m here representing Miss Ashworth''s interests. As you''re aware."


    Julian''s eye twitched at the mention of Isabelle. "Representing? Is that what you call it? I wonder what qualifications a disgraced live-in son-inw has to represent someone of Miss Ashworth''s standing."


    Several onlookers snickered. I remained unmoved.


    "Miss Ashworth seems satisfied with my qualifications," I replied evenly.


    Julian''s face darkened. "Your presence here is an insult, Knight. You don''t belong among us."


    "And yet, here I stand."


    Julian turned abruptly to Damian, his voice dripping with false warmth. "Damian, my friend. I understand your family''s shippingpany is facing some... difficulties with regtory approvals for your eastern expansion?"


    Damian stiffened. "We''re handling it."


    "I could make those problems disappear with one phone call," Julian continued. "All I ask is that you show our uninvited guest the proper wee he deserves." He mimed a pping motion. "One simple gesture, and your family''s financial future is secured."


    The room went silent. Everyone watched, waiting to see if Damian would take the deal.


    Damian looked at me briefly, then back at Julian. "I must decline, Julian. My father taught me that a man''s character is worth more than any business advantage."


    Julian''s smile vanished. "Your father will regret your principles when your family business is bleeding money in six months."


    "Perhaps," Damian replied coolly. "But at least I''ll be able to look him in the eye." <em ss="in-imprint-b">Reader support at * made this trantion possible.</em>


    "You''re making a mistake," Julian hissed. "Both of you." He red at Roman, who had remained beside me.


    I couldn''t help myself. "The only fool here is you, Hawthorne."


    A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Julian''s face contorted with rage, then suddenly rxed into something more dangerous – satisfaction.


    "A fool, am I?" He snapped his fingers, and the music stopped abruptly. "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it''s time for some entertainment."


    Julian climbed onto a small raised tform at the center of the room. "Tonight, we have a special guest who doesn''t seem to understand his ce. Perhaps we should remind him."


    My stomach tightened, but I kept my expression neutral.


    "Tell me, Knight," Julian called out, his voice carrying across the silent room. "How is your lovely wife, Seraphina Sterling? Still happily married after three years?"


    I said nothing, sensing the trap unfolding.


    "No answer? Perhaps you''re not aware of everything happening in your own household." Julian smiled cruelly. "Seraphina, dear, would you join us?"


    From the crowd, Seraphina emerged, looking stunning in her fitted red dress. Behind her followed Gideon ckwood, his hand possessively at the small of her back.


    "Seraphina," Julian purred, "would you mind sharing with our guests the true nature of your marriage to Mr. Knight?"


    Seraphina''s gaze found mine, not a hint of remorse in her eyes. "What would you like to know, Julian?"


    "Let''s start with fidelity. Have you been faithful to your husband?"


    Sheughed, the sound cutting through the room. "Of course not. Why would I be?"


    More gasps, followed by poorly concealed snickers. I stood perfectly still, forcing my face to remain impassive despite the knot forming in my chest.


    "And how long has this... arrangement been going on?" Julian prompted.


    Seraphina tossed her hair back. "Since our wedding night."


    The crowd erupted in shocked whispers and barely suppressedughter.


    "And did your husband know?" Julian pressed, clearly delighting in my public humiliation.


    "If he didn''t, he''s even more pathetic than everyone thinks." Seraphina''s eyes glittered with malice. "Liam has been nothing but aughingstock in my family since the day he moved in. My father only tolerated him because of some ridiculous prophecy my grandmother believed in."


    I felt the burn of hundreds of eyes watching for my reaction. Though my insides churned with rage, I refused to give Julian or Seraphina the satisfaction of seeing me crack.


    "He has no money, no power, no connections," Seraphina continued, warming to her audience. "When he walks through our house, the servants don''t even acknowledge him. He eats at our table only because my mother asionally remembers to invite him."


    Julian was practically giddy with satisfaction. "And yet he stands here tonight, pretending to represent Isabelle Ashworth."


    "It''sughable," Seraphina agreed. "What could Isabelle Ashworth possibly see in him? He''s nothing."


    I caught Damian ncing at me with something like respect in his eyes – respect for myposure in the face of such a calcted assault.


    "Tell us, Seraphina," Julian continued, "did he ever confront you about your... indiscretions?"


    Seraphina moved closer to Gideon, who wrapped an arm around her waist. "Never. He wouldn''t dare. He has no dignity, no authority in our marriage." She looked directly at me, her lips curving into a cruel smile. "Even if he knew, what could he do? It''s better to pretend not to know."


    The room erupted inughter, the sound washing over me like acid. Julian''s eyes gleamed with triumph as he watched me standing alone, surrounded by the mockery of Havenwood''s elite.


    In that moment, as theughter echoed through the grand ballroom, I made my decision. This humiliation would be thest I would ever endure. The jade pendant beneath my shirt seemed to pulse against my skin, as if responding to my resolve.


    I met Seraphina''s gaze across the room, my expression betraying nothing of the storm brewing inside me. Let themugh now. Soon, they would understand exactly who I was – and what I was capable of.