The atmosphere cracked like thunder on a calm lake. All eyes turned in unison, their expressions suspended somewhere between disbelief and awe.

Zara’s hand tightened around her glass of lemonade as the sharp sound reverberated through the room. Her glossy lips curled into a faint, satisfied smirk.

She didn’t know Linsy well, had never exchanged more than a few casual greetings but she knew enough. Knew how Violet Bento had been crawling her way up the Helwart social ladder, clawing with ...