"And if I say I am? Would the Clarks take responsibility for this… discourtesy?"
For an event like this, lively chatter was expected. And yet, with just those words, the entire venue fell into pin-drop silence. Even the orchestra playing in the background, which added sophistication to the atmosphere, stopped at once.
All heads turned in one direction, disbelief and shock clear on their faces.
However, some people—very few of them—couldn't help but smirk at Lynsandra's words or stifle their laughter.
Katarina's smile faded slightly, while Victor's displeasure deepened.
"Liz," Victor stepped in, knowing this was getting too far. "It's alright if you're here for other reasons. Let's just—"
"Lynsandra, how could you say that?" Katarina cut him off, her voice filled with surprise and shock.
Deep in her heart, she couldn't help but laugh at Lynsandra.
How could she… be so desperate? Katarina wondered. Did she truly want to prove to herself that she would go so far as to lie?
Somehow, Katarina's mood lightened, knowing Lynsandra had just dug herself a grave.
"There's no shame if you work here, Liz," Katarina continued in a worried voice. "But to claim that you're Her Royal Highness… even Victor and I can't protect you."
"Goodness, how could she—does she have no idea this is not something to lie about?" one of the guests gasped in pure shock. "Katarina is right. If she works here, I don't think the Clarks would chase her out."
"Is she really a friend?" another scoffed in disbelief. "How could someone like that be friends with the Clarks?"
"Surely, people would lie about anything just to make others believe they were some big shots who had proven something in their lives."
Others shook their heads, knowing that whoever this Lynsandra was, she would be in trouble.
If this were before—before the little Luna of the Royal Pack got involved in the Royal Pack's affairs—such a claim might still be pardoned. Perhaps she would be punished, but not harshly. Just enough for her to learn her lesson.
But things had changed since the "real" Lynsandra had gotten herself involved.
"Does she not know of retribution?" another remarked. "This woman's shamelessness is something. I've never seen someone like that before."
"Didn't you get goosebumps from what you said?" Suddenly, someone in the crowd could no longer contain herself and shouted. "How could you lie in front of everybody? Don't you know Katarina's family is close with the Royal Pack?! If you were the luna, she would know!"
Katarina pursed her lips as she glanced at the speaker, then looked back at Lynsandra with clear concern.
"Lynsandra, I know you already know that our family has sworn loyalty to the Royal Pack," she said, then touched Victor's chest. "And Victor's little brother—my little brother-in-law—is engaged to Her Royal Highness too."
She sighed. "But that doesn't mean we can cover for you. Although we do see you as a good friend, considering… the tough life you lived for years—washing dishes and working multiple jobs at once—this just crosses the line."
Victor's face hardened, disappointment clear in his eyes.
"Lizzie," he called quietly, but couldn't say anything else. He, too, believed Lynsandra had crossed the line this time—but at the same time, he blamed himself as well.
After all, he believed Lynsandra probably lied because of him.
It was probably because she saw his success that she felt the need to concoct such a lie. But she could've lied about something else, not like this. Because even if he begged the Royal Pack or the Alpha King, the name Lynsandra dragged into this was one to be feared or admired.
Not a suitable name for something like this.
"I knew it." Someone in the crowd snorted. "So she just washes dishes and works multiple jobs to get by? Goodness. Dreaming is one thing, but pretending to be someone you're not is just low."
"What a shame," another shook his head, clicking his tongue. "She's actually pretty, but with that kind of character… what a waste of a beautiful face."
Katarina secretly smiled, satisfied with the crowd's reaction. Her mood lifted further when she noticed Victor's disappointment.
Of course, she thought, looking at Lynsandra with hidden contempt. Even if he wants to save you, he can't do that.
"Lizzie, just take it back," Katarina urged, her voice worried. "It may be hard, but I'm sure if you admit you didn't mean it, Victor and I can convince others to pretend they didn't hear it."
The crowd frowned, but knowing Katarina's character, they might just agree. In their eyes, Katarina was like an angel—faultless, kind, and smart.
Lynsandra chuckled in amusement.
"Katarina," she called, her smile unmistakable. "It's been years since I last spoke with you, but… I am glad you have not changed at all."
Katarina smiled back, and Lynsandra then shifted her gaze to Victor.
"You too, Victor," Lynsandra added, nodding at him. "I am more than glad to know that you haven't changed at all as well."
Her smile stretched, and at the same time, a cool voice echoed from their side.
"I'm sorry, I'm late."
Everyone instinctively turned toward the voice, only to freeze with jaws dropping and eyes widening. Then, someone in the crowd gasped.
"Isn't that… isn't that Julian Pierce?!"
"Julian Pierce?" another echoed. "You mean the CEO and Founder of Pierce Holding Corporation? That Julian Pierce?!"
"Wow! It's really him!"
Aside from royal attendance, Julian Pierce alone was enough reason for people to attend this event. After all, he was the current big shot of the continent, his company having grown significantly over the years.
He was the youngest businessman to ever enter the trillionaire club.
Everyone's eyes were glued to Julian's towering stature, clad in a fitted, tailored black suit that somehow matched the black undershirt Lynsandra wore.
When they saw his arm circle her waist, his hand settling on her hip, everyone froze.
For a second, Katarina and Victor knitted their brows as they darted their gazes between Lynsandra and Julian.
Katarina opened and closed her mouth. "He… he was your—"
"I saw you talking to old friends," Julian said, his focus solely on Lynsandra. "So I didn't want to ruin your reunion."
Lynsandra smirked as she turned to Julian. "It's alright. I enjoyed my conversation with my old friends," she hummed, then turned her attention back to the couple before her.
"It was a meaningful reunion, I must say," she chuckled. "Anyway, I believe it's almost time for the event."
Julian nodded. "Shall we?"
"Mhm."
Releasing her waist, Julian offered his hand. Once Lynsandra placed hers in his, he guided her to turn and head toward their seats. But just as she turned her back on the couple, she stopped, as if remembering something.
"Hah," she scoffed, glancing back at Victor and Katarina. "And don't worry about covering for me. I believe you have other things to worry about later."
With that, Lynsandra peeled her gaze away. As she turned her head, she caught Cassian rushing in from the entrance.
Her cold eyes slid toward him, just enough to make him stop and search for her. When Cassian finally spotted her, his face brightened.
He was about to call her name when Lynsandra took her first step forward and whispered,
"Kneel."
And the moment her foot touched the ground, except for a few—every single person in the venue, including Cassian—collapsed to their knees as an immense weight pressed down on them like a boulder.