Lucien Ward’s presence was like a sudden gust of wind in a stifling room, arresting the attention of every guest. The laughter that had previously filled the air dissipated as if it had never been there. His reputation preceded him; known for his philanthropy and no-nonsense attitude, Lucien was not a man to be taken lightly. His penetrating gaze fixed on Serena and her entourage, and an uncomfortable silence blanketed the gathering.
“Jokes at the expense of others,” he said, his voice calm but filled with an unmistakable edge, “are never amusing. They reveal more about the jester than the victim.”
Serena flushed, the bravado of moments ago replaced by embarrassment. Her friends shifted uncomfortably, suddenly wishing for invisibility. The other guests whispered among themselves, the atmosphere now tense and awkward.
Lucien turned his attention to Ava, who was still standing in the pool, water dripping from her hair and uniform. Her cheeks were flushed with a mix of cold and humiliation. But there was something else in her eyes now — a flicker of defiance, a refusal to be cowed by the cruelty she had just experienced.
