Serena, who had been silently fuming, couldn’t hold back any longer. “This is ridiculous!” she snapped, stepping forward, her heels clicking sharply. “You’re acting like you’re some kind of king, Damon!” she continued, her voice rising with each word. “Why should we beg you? You’re the one who doesn’t belong here! You and your pathetic little thing!” Her voice was thick with venom, her eyes blazing as she pointed at Celia. Celia flinched, the words stinging. She looked down. For a moment, she felt small again, like she had in the banquet hall, but that feeling vanished just as quickly. She refused to let Serena's words affect her again. Damon’s hand briefly tightened on her shoulder, grounding her. He didn’t even look at Serena, his attention still fixed on Michael. “You heard me,” he said, his voice calm yet firm. “I’m not asking again.” Michael’s face reddened, his jaw tightening as he struggled to swallow his pride. He glanced at Serena, who was glaring daggers at Damon and C

Earlier, she had been the center of attention—the one everyone wanted to impress. Damon, on the other hand, had been easy to mock, someone people easily overlooked.But now…Now, he was the one people watched.Serena's lips trembled, but she bit down on the anger.She couldn’t accept it. Wouldn’t accept that Damon—the same man she had once discarded—could suddenly become so outstanding... That Celia—poor, fragile Celia—was now being shielded by someone like Albert."It made her stomach churn.Serena gave a sharp breath, forcing herself to stay still.But she couldn’t stop the storm in her chest.No matter how calm she looked on the outside, inside she was screaming.But suddenly, Serena realized something."Santiago.""Where was he?"He had promised to show up today. Promised to throw her a party—her party. He had made such a big deal about it. Everyone knew he was going to make an appearance for her.But he never came.Only Albert had shown up. Serena’s fingers curled into tight fis

Serena's body jolted from the second slap, her head snapping slightly to the side. Her hair fell over her face, but she didn’t move. Her hands clenched at her sides, her eyes burning, her mouth trembling, not from fear, but from rage. “I was only defending my dignity,” she hissed through clenched teeth. “You all saw it. He ordered them to hit me just because I was telling the truth." She pointed at Damon and Celia. "It’s all a scam, get it? I’ve known them for years, especially Damon. I know him better than anyone. I know he’s useless." She glared at Celia, her tone dripping with contempt. "And Celia? She’s nothing but a cheap slut." Celia couldn’t take it anymore. Serena was talking down to them again, and it was just too much. She could see how desperate Serena was, twisting everything to make herself look good, to steal the attention back. Just as she opened her mouth, ready to say something, Damon’s hand tightened gently around hers.“I’ll handle it. Just relax.”Damon said ca

The crowd remained just as confused as ever. They had been shocked enough when Albert suddenly changed and started showing Damon and Celia unexpected respect. But this—this was something else entirely. Santiago. The Santiago everyone feared. The one who never bowed to anyone. Now here he was, lowering himself in front of Damon and Celia. No one could have predicted this. No one could make sense of it. Not a single person. They just sat there, wide-eyed, frozen in disbelief. Serena still couldn’t process what was happening. Her mind was completely blank, frozen in shock. It didn’t make sense. None of it did. She sat there, motionless, completely lost.Celia looked just as shocked. First, it was Albert. But she had thought maybe that was because he realized his mistake—the one he made last night, trying to rape her. Maybe that was why he apologized and acted so respectfully.But Santiago?That was something else. Something shocking. Unbelievable. And yet, it was hap

Santiago’s smile had completely faded now, replaced by nervous hesitation. His eyes darted between Damon and Celia, searching for any sign of approval—or worse, anger.“A painting of us?” Damon said, his voice low but clear. He didn’t sound angry, but there was something firm in his tone that made Santiago tense. “You thought this was a good idea?”Santiago swallowed hard. “I—I meant it as a gesture of respect. Something meaningful.”Damon exhaled sharply, shaking his head with a mix of worry and irritation.His eyes moved to Celia. She was still looking at the painting, her cheeks slightly pink.He could tell she was surprised, maybe even a little uncomfortable—though he wasn’t completely sure.The strong romantic meaning behind the painting could easily push Celia away—make her angry —just by how she might see or think about it. Santiago fell silent, trembling and unsure of what to say next. He was terrified—he hadn’t meant to offend Damon with the gift. He had thought they were a