Permission to insult.
Permission to humiliate.
Permission to treat people like objects.
She walked through the ballroom surrounded by friends who laughed at everything she said.
Even when it wasn't funny.
Especially when it wasn't funny.
"Victoria, darling," one woman said, kissing her cheek.
"You look breathtaking."
Victoria smiled.
"I know."
The woman laughed nervously.
At first, Lily thought it was a joke.
Then she realized Victoria wasn't joking.
Around nine o'clock, Lily was assigned to Victoria's table.
She immediately noticed the difference.
Some wealthy guests thanked servers.
Some smiled.
Some even remembered names.
Victoria did none of those things.
She snapped her fingers.
"Water."
Lily placed a glass in front of her.
"Of course, Miss Sterling."
Victoria looked at the glass.
Then at Lily.
"Did I ask for room-temperature water?"
Lily paused.
"No, Miss Sterling."
"Then why did you bring it?"
"The kitchen preparedā"
"I don't care what the kitchen prepared."
Victoria pushed the glass away.
"Get another."
Lily calmly replaced it.
"Right away."
A woman beside Victoria laughed.
"You're very patient."
Victoria smiled.
"People like her are trained to be patient."
Lily heard it.
She pretended she didn't.
That was what servants did.
They absorbed insults.
They smiled.
They continued working.
Earlier that evening, Lily had overheard something.