Celeste's eyes narrowed as she studied Isabela more closely, noticing for the first time a faint, healing cut along her left cheek. Rather than showing any concern, a slow, cruel smile spread across her face as she reached out, her fingers grazing gently across the mark.
Isabela's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, though she remained otherwise still, refusing to give Celeste the satisfaction of a visible reaction. The gesture wasn't tender. It was calculated cruelty disguised as gentleness, meant to draw attention to something Isabela clearly hadn't wanted publicly noticed.
"What happened here?" Celeste asked mockingly, her voice carrying just enough volume to draw the attention of nearby guests, several of whom exchanged uncomfortable glances, sensing the confrontation shifting into something crueler than simple social rivalry.
Isabela's eyes remained locked onto Celeste's, calm and unblinking, an unsettling stillness that seemed entirely unaffected by the humiliation being performed in front of an audience of wealthy strangers. Celeste, clearly expecting embarrassment or retreat, found herself instead facing an expression she couldn't quite read, patient, watchful, almost amused in its own quiet way.
"You don't have much to say, do you?" Celeste continued, emboldened by the lack of resistance, her fingers lingering a moment longer against Isabela's cheek before finally withdrawing. She turned briefly toward the gathered guests, clearly performing for their benefit as much as targeting Isabela directly.
Nearby, a few guests lowered their phones slightly, uncertain whether to continue recording or intervene, though nobody stepped forward to stop what was rapidly becoming a public spectacle.