Lily bent slightly.
Then Victoria spoke.
"Louder."
Lily straightened.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said pick it up properly."
A cruel smile appeared.
"On your knees."
The room became uncomfortable.
Even some of Victoria's friends looked away.
Lily stared at the napkin.
Then at Victoria.
"No."
The single word shocked everyone.
Victoria blinked.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
A dangerous silence followed.
Nobody refused Victoria Sterling.
Nobody.
Victoria stood.
Slowly.
"You seem confused about your position."
Lily remained still.
"My position?"
"Yes."
Victoria stepped closer.
"You serve people like me."
The words were deliberate.
"You should remember that."
Lily looked at her.
For a moment, Victoria saw something she didn't expect.
Not fear.
Not shame.
Something else.
A warning.
But Victoria ignored it.
People like Victoria always ignored warnings.
They believed consequences were for other people.
She grabbed another dirty napkin from the table.
Then threw it.
Straight at Lily's face.
The room gasped.
But Lily moved.
Her hand lifted.
And caught it.
Mid-air.
Perfectly.
The ballroom froze.
Victoria stared.
The guests stared.
Even the musicians stopped playing.
Lily looked down at the napkin in her hand.
Then calmly placed it on the table.
Victoria laughed.
A short, angry laugh.
"Did you just embarrass me?"
"No."
Lily's voice was quiet.