Claire raised her head to see a tall, elegant woman, her expression a mixture of disdain and outrage.
"Ahhhhh"
The lady screamed in horror as she stared at her dress, attracting everyone's attention.
"You bitch" she cursed, looking at her designer dressed that was now stained.
"I don't know how you've managed to sneak your way into this party, but I won't stand for it," the woman said, her voice rising. "Do you know how disgraceful it is for someone like you to pretend to belong here?"
A hush fell over the surrounding crowd as heads turned toward the commotion. The earlier dizziness she felt vanished as Claire's face burned realizing she was at the center of everyone's attention.
"I don't know what you're talking about i'm sorry for spilling the wine on you" she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
The woman sneered, gesturing dramatically toward Claire. "Don't play dumb. You're clearly a useless maid or someone trying to pass off as one of us. That dress may be expensive, but it doesn't change what you are."
"I'll teach you a lesson for daring to ruin my dress and talking back to me, you whore" the lady said raising her hand at Claire.
Before Claire could respond, Leon stepped forward from the crowd. His commanding presence silenced the murmurs, and his icy glare pinned the woman in place as he held her hand.
"What's going on here?" he demanded, his deep voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
The woman hesitated, her confidence faltering under his scrutiny. "Leon, thank God you're here, I didn't know the Yu family now gives out invitations to low lives, my dress is ruined because of this bitch" she yelled as she pointed at Claire, who felt her anger boiling at the insults she received.
She wanted to retort but kept quiet inorder to avoid creating unnecessary drama for the Yus.
"She doesn't need an invitation to be here because she's my wife," Leon said firmly.
The woman froze, her face paling. "W-wife?" she stammered, disbelief etched across her features.
"Yes, my wife," Leon repeated, his voice dangerously low. "And I won't tolerate anyone disrespecting her."
Gasps rippled through the crowd, and the woman's entourage exchanged uneasy glances. But instead of backing down, the heiress's embarrassment morphed into anger.
"This is ridiculous!" she snapped. "You can't possibly mean to tell me that she is your wife. Someone like her? This is a joke!"
Leon's expression darkened further, and the tension in the air became almost palpable. "Enough," he said, his voice a low growl.
"And why can't someone like her be my wife"
The woman opened her mouth to protest again, but before she could, Mae stepped in, her fiery energy cutting through the confrontation.
"Wow, Eleanor," Mae said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What a charming display of class and grace. Is this how you entertain yourself these days? Harassing people at parties?"
Eleanor's face twisted with indignation. "Stay out of this, Mae. You wouldn't understand—"
"Oh, I understand perfectly," Mae interrupted, crossing her arms. "I understand that you just made a fool of yourself in front of everyone. It is just a stain that can be washed off, there was no need to overreact, accidents happen. Maybe next time, think twice before embarrassing yourself at someone else's event."
The crowd murmured in agreement, and Eleanor's confidence crumbled further. She glanced around, realizing that she was now the center of judgmental stares.
"I—I was just—" she began, but Leon cut her off.
"Leave," he said coldly. "Now."
Eleanor hesitated, her pride warring with her fear of further humiliation. Finally, she spun on her heel and stormed off, her entourage scurrying after her.
The crowd slowly dispersed, though whispers and curious glances lingered. Leon turned to Claire, his expression softening as he placed a reassuring hand on her cheek.
"Are you all right?" he asked gently.
Claire nodded, though her hands were trembling slightly. "I'm fine," she said, her voice quiet.
Mae grinned, looping an arm around Claire. "Don't let that witch get to you. You handled yourself well."
Claire offered a small smile, but her mind was racing. The words "someone like her" echoed in her head, stirring old insecurities. She couldn't help but wonder if Eleanor had only voiced what many others were silently thinking.
Still holding the glass of wine in her hand, Claire headed to the balcony, away from the crowd. Taking a sip of her wine, her lips curved into a sad smile as she muttered to herself while staring at the starry night.
"How long will you be an outcast wherever you go huh"
Her mind went back to how Leon defended her, this was the second time he had done it—the second time he called her his wide in front of people.
A frown appeared on her face because she had earlier told him not to do that again, but her heart shook at the thought that someone actually cared about her—defended her.
Leon found Claire standing alone by the garden. The lanterns cast a soft light over her figure, and her expression was distant. She had removed her mask and was taking a sip of her drink.
"Thinking about what happened?" he asked, his voice gentle as he took off his mask.
Claire nodded, not meeting his eyes. "She's not wrong," she admitted. "I don't belong here."
Leon frowned, stepping closer. "Don't say that. You belong here as much as anyone else—more, even."
"But... but I'm not like the others. I don't know how to do all the things they do. I don't know how to be what you need me to be."
Leon exhaled slowly, gathering his thoughts before he spoke again. "You don't need to be anyone but yourself. I don't need you to be anything other than who you are, Claire."
She looked at him, eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt. All she saw was certainty. He meant it. He truly meant it.
"Do you really mean that?"
"Yes," he said firmly. "And I won't let anyone make you feel otherwise."
For a moment, they stood in silence, just staring at each other. Then, Claire spoke.
"When I was little, I've always hated these kind of parties, even though my dad used to throw it among close friends, I hated it, hated the way people tried to outdo one another, it made me sick" she was sure Leon had done a thorough check on her, so what was the point of hiding her origins.
Besides she really needed someone to talk to
"The rich world" she continued "is just full of fakes who care more about money, position and reputation than about family" her voice carried a tinge of hate as she spoke.
Leon watched her from the side, not interrupting, seeing her watch the stars his mind drifted to that little girl who always snuck out from any ball or party she was at, just to go to the balcony and stare at the stars.
He watched how her eyes that used to sparkle had lost it's shine, as if nothing could interest her anymore.
His thoughts were pulled back when Claire chuckled "you know there was this boy, slightly older than me, he also hated the parties and together we'd snick out to go eat street snacks or just play and watch the stars" she told him, a smile appeared as she remembered him.
"Do you remember his name?" Leon asked and Claire turned to look at him, her heart skipped a beat when she found him gazing at her intensly.
"No, I guessed I never bothered, I just called him big bro, I didn't even know what family he belonged too" Claire muttered with a slight pout which later turned to a gasp when Leon flicked her forehead.
"Silly girl" he mumbled, a smirk playing on his lips "who doesn't know the name of her friend" he asked and Claire turned embarrassed.
"I don't think he wanted to introduce himself to me" she mumbled rubbing her forehead.
They both stayed silent for a while, looking at each other and turning to look at the night sky. After sometime Leon spoke.
"Come on," he said. "Let's go back, father is looking for you." He said as they both wore their masks.
Claire hesitated, then took his arm, allowing him to lead her back to the party. Despite everything, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as out of place as she feared.
As Leon and Claire re-entered the party, the atmosphere had returned to its jovial energy. Guests laughed and danced, seemingly unaffected by the earlier drama. However, Claire couldn't fully shake the tension that lingered in her chest. She clung to Leon's arm a little tighter, as if wanting to mold herself into him.
They approached a long table where Old Man Yu stood, among a group of laughing guests. His eyes lit up when he saw them.
"Ah, there you are!" he boomed, waving them over. "Come, come! We're celebrating family tonight, and you, my dear Claire, are the star!"
Claire smiled shyly. "Thank you, sir. That's kind of you."
"Nonsense! It's tradition," Old Man Yu declared, reaching for a dusty, ancient bottle of wine. "This is from my private collection, reserved for special occasions like tonight. And we are going to honor you as part of the Yu family."
The crowd cheered as Old Man Yu poured the deep crimson liquid into a small glass. He handed it to Claire with a broad grin.
"Drink up, my girl. This wine is older than you, and it carries the blessings of our family," he said.
Leon leaned in,"You don't have to if you don't want to," he whispered.
Claire looked at the expectant faces around her and decided to take the plunge. She raised the glass and took a cautious sip. The wine was rich and velvety, its warmth spreading through her instantly.
"See? She's a natural!" Old Man Yu laughed, clapping her on the back. "Another glass for the lady!"
Before Claire could protest, another glass was poured, and then another. The guests cheered her on, making Claire feel determined to continue.
Leo stood by the side watching Claire with an amused smile on his face but his eyes flickered intensly, that boy was him and he had later introduced himself when he saved her—she couldn't remember.
For a moment, sadness was seen in his eyes which later turned normal as he joined the guests to cheer for Claire who he assumed had drunk way past her limit.