Victoria watched us. A flicker of jealousy crossed her eyes, but her composure held perfectly—even when the reporters came.
She smiled gently, voice like honey.
"I'm so happy Young Mr. Gilbert found someone he really likes. I wish them nothing but the best."
The murmuring started immediately:
"Victoria's so gracious. Everyone used to say she and Young Mr. Gilbert were a couple, and now that Deidre swooped in, she can still be this classy about it."
"Right? Deidre can't hold a candle to Victoria. No family background, no manners—and that dress she's wearing, honestly…"
Right on cue, Clyde dipped his head and murmured against my ear.
"Victoria's bracelet shifted. Go fix it for her."
I froze. "What?"
"Go fix her bracelet."
His voice was low enough that only I could hear, but the smile on his face was tender enough to look like a whispered endearment.
"Victoria's assistant didn't make it inside. She can't adjust it herself. Go. Make it look natural."
When I didn't move, his voice came again from above me, threaded with warning.
"Think about your brother. Think about your family. You'd better cooperate."
I took a breath and was about to step forward.
But Victoria was already walking toward me, champagne in hand.
"Deidre! I heard you and Clyde got engaged. Congratulations!"
Every camera in the room locked on us at once.
I had no choice.
I put on a perfect fake smile, walked over, and reached for Victoria's bracelet.
But the moment I leaned in, her hand tipped—and a full flute of champagne landed squarely on my dress.
Victoria clapped a hand over her mouth, tears flooding her eyes instantly.
"I'm so sorry, Deidre! My hand slipped. I didn't mean to!"
She was crying prettily, trembling all over, the picture of someone deeply wronged.
The whispers around us shifted direction immediately.
"What is wrong with that woman? Victoria was being gracious, and she goes and throws a drink on her?"
"Didn't you see? Victoria splashed her fir—"
"Victoria would never do that on purpose. Look at her crying like that, and Deidre's just standing there stone-faced. She's clearly the one making a scene!"
Everyone had seen exactly what happened.
Not one person spoke up for me.
I stood there in my soaked dress, dripping under every light in the room.
Clyde barely spared me a glance before hurrying over to console the teary-eyed Victoria, leaving me stranded alone in full public view.