The tension in the room lingered like smoke, thick, suffocating, until a bright, almost forced voice cut through it.
"Exactly. Hey, who's Seren learning piano from lately? My kid's starting lessons too."
The shift was instant. Like a switch had been flipped. The cruelty dissolved into polite society chatter. Smiles reappeared. Shoulders relaxed. Wine glasses lifted again.
Elara caught it immediately, the opportunity. Her lips curved, victorious.
"Of course," she said smoothly, brushing an imaginary speck from Seren's dress. "Let's exchange contacts later. I'll introduce the teacher to you."
"Oh, that would be great," the woman replied eagerly. "Me too," another chimed in. "And me."
Within seconds, a small circle formed around Elara and Seren. Compliments flowed. Praise followed. Seren's competition win became the centerpiece of conversation.
The earlier insults? Forgotten. Buried beneath networking smiles and social climbing instincts.
