At that moment, Fiona mocked coldly, “Look at them, the perfect couple. You must be green with envy. Just know your place as the third wheel.”

Her gaze dripped with hatred. She looked down on Katelyn even more and added, “In comparison to the real thing, you’re just trash who likes to seduce men. Eventually, you’ll realize your worth.”

Katelyn stopped for a moment, choosing not to engage with Fiona. She kept walking.

Then, suddenly, a loud crash echoed from behind.

Ashlyn’s eyes went wide with shock, and she shouted, “Katelyn!” Suddenly, the champagne tower that had been stable just seconds ago started to collapse directly towards Katelyn. The potential for injury from the falling champagne was high.

Instinctively, Katelyn raised her elbow to protect herself. As Ashlyn made a move to help, another figure swiftly intervened, placing his body between Katelyn and the impending disaster. Before Katelyn could even realize what had happened, she was enveloped in a familiar, crisp scent—it was Vincent’s!

The champagne tower hit the floor with a resounding crash. Glass and champagne flew everywhere, turning the area into a mess, yet all eyes were on Katelyn and Vincent. Their close stance left the onlookers in silent amazement, and everyone turned to see Ryanna’s reaction, who was standing not far off.

Vincent, checking Katelyn over, concern evident in his eyes, asked, “Are you alright? Did you get hurt?”

Vincent’s chest had fully shielded Katelyn. Only the tips of her shoes got a splash of wine; she was completely unscathed.

Katelyn felt her heart skip a beat. Holding back her emotions, she gently stepped back from Vincent and said quietly, “I’m fine, thank you, Mr. Adams.”

Vincent exhaled a relieved breath, and while looking at her, he murmured, “That’s good to hear.” He said nothing more and turned to head back inside.

At this moment, maintaining a serene expression was nearly impossible for Ryanna. Vincent had just shielded Katelyn so openly; was this an attempt to publicly humiliate her? If that was their intent, she was prepared to respond in kind!

Ryanna’s face tensed as she approached Katelyn and asked gently, “Miss Bailey, are you injured? How is your dress? Is it wet? If so, I can arrange for a replacement dress.”

She conducted herself perfectly as the hostess, managing everything with apparent ease. Her demeanor showed no sign of jealousy. Katelyn offered a slight smile and responded quietly, “I’m fine. Thank you.”

Katelyn’s reply was uninterested, but Ryanna appeared unfazed. She continued with a gentle smile, “That’s good. I’ll have someone clean this up. Please, head to the jewelry room; I’ll join you shortly. I must escort Vincent to meet the elders now.”

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Her role as hostess seemed to subtly overshadow Katelyn. Without regarding Katelyn’s reaction further, she turned and moved toward Vincent.

Fiona couldn’t help but make a sharp remark as she said, “Ha, see the difference? Even though Vincent saved you, he’s still off to meet the elders with Princess Ryanna. You’re just a plaything.”

A bystander next to Fiona sneered, “If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to show up here.”

Another echoed, “Exactly. There’s no shortage of shameless folks around. A decent person wouldn’t aim to be a third wheel.”

Ashlyn, overhearing these harsh words, glared at them coldly and retorted, “Don’t any of you have platonic friends of the opposite sex? They’re merely friends, yet you accuse Katelyn of being a third wheel? Does having friends of the opposite sex imply an affair?”

These people were blind to the truth, simply spouting off without any basis. It was disgusting to Ashlyn.

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