Chapter 494

Chapter 494:

Belle, oblivious to his inner turmoil, was still fuming at his side. “The nerve of him — so rude, so unprofessional, to simply ignore me like that p>

“It’s because he only pays attention to people of value,” Grayson said suddenly, his voice cold and sharp as ice. “And to him, Belle, we are air p>

Belle stared at him, shocked into silence. “Are you saying I have no value p>

Grayson did not answer. His eyes were locked on Isolde.

As if sensing his stare, Isolde turned her head. Her eyes met Grayson’s across the glittering expanse of the terrace. There was no anger in them. No pain. Not even recognition. She held his gaze for a fraction of a second, then looked away, her expression as calm and indifferent as if she had just glanced at a stranger.

The gala reached its peak. The lights dimmed, and a soft waltz drifted from the band, wrapping the room in gentle luxury as couples slowly drifted onto the dance floor.

Isolde stood alone by the dessert table, quietly reviewing the presentation data on her laptop, going over the details for tomorrow’s final. She had tuned out the noise around her entirely, her focus locked on the competition ahead.

Then Belle linked her arm through Grayson’s, laughing loudly and deliberately, and strode toward Isolde on high heels with unmistakable provocation in her eyes.

Belle waved her red wine glass and stopped directly in front of Isolde, her voice sharp and mocking.

“Isolde, I heard Sterling gave you plenty of private coaching. You must be very special p>

𝘕𝖾𝘸 c𝗵𝗮𝗉t𝘦𝗿𝘴 ev𝘦𝘳y w𝗲𝘦𝘬 𝗈𝗇 𝘨𝗮𝗹ոo𝘃e𝗹𝘴.сo𝗆

Isolde closed her laptop and glanced at her with cool disinterest, with no desire to engage.

“This has nothing to do with the competition,” she said. “I have nothing to say p>

Belle stepped closer, raising her voice so the people nearby could hear every word.

“Drop the act. Everyone knows how you really climbed to the top p>

Grayson’s brow furrowed sharply. “Belle, watch your mouth,” he said, his voice low and hard.

Belle ignored him completely, still fixed on Isolde. “What? Did I hit a nerve? Too guilty to talk back p>

Isolde took a quiet breath. She had no intention of becoming a spectacle for the crowd. She turned to leave.

As she stepped back to avoid Belle’s flailing arm, a waiter carrying a full tray of champagne passed directly behind her at that exact moment. Isolde’s elbow caught the edge of the tray, throwing it off balance.

The tray flipped. A dozen crystal champagne flutes shattered across the marble floor, the sharp crash cutting clean through the music. The entire room went silent.

Cold champagne splashed in every direction, soaking the front of Isolde’s black velvet gown and spattering across Belle’s designer shoes.

The band stopped playing. Every eye in the room turned toward them, whispers spreading rapidly through the crowd.

Belle shrieked, her expression a mixture of horror and fury.

“Oh my god! Are you blind? These are custom Jimmy Choos — can you even afford to replace them p>

The waiter turned pale and dropped immediately to his knees, gathering the broken glass with trembling hands and murmuring apologies.