The evening had begun with laughter and champagne, a glittering gala filled with the city’s elite. But the atmosphere shifted abruptly when Lucien Ward entered the room. Known for his quiet authority and unshakable principles, his very presence commanded respect. Conversations faltered, and the once-playful mood gave way to uneasy silence as he fixed his sharp gaze on Serena and her group.
Moments earlier, the socialite’s cruel prank had sent Ava, a young server, tumbling into the pool. The laughter that followed had been loud and merciless—until Lucien arrived.
“Jokes at the expense of others,” he said evenly, his voice cutting through the silence, “are never amusing. They reveal more about the jester than the victim.”
Serena’s confidence crumbled under his words. Her cheeks flushed red, and her companions shifted awkwardly, realizing the weight of what they had done. The whispers that rippled through the crowd carried guilt and discomfort rather than amusement.
Lucien’s attention then turned to Ava. She stood shivering in the water, her soaked uniform clinging to her, humiliation burning hotter than the chill of the night air. But in her eyes was a quiet resilience—a refusal to break.
“Miss,” Lucien said gently, extending his hand. “Let me help you.”
Ava hesitated only briefly before accepting. His steady grip pulled her from the water, restoring a measure of dignity that the cruel prank had stripped away. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice trembling but sincere.
Lucien’s gaze swept the crowd. “Let’s remember why we’re here tonight. This event is meant to uplift and support those in need, not to belittle or humiliate.”
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. The glitter of the evening now seemed hollow, exposed under the harsh light of decency and accountability.