The walls echo with unfamiliar voices and the clinking of crystal glasses. It's not your usual scene, but the atmosphere is inviting, even charming.

You're standing near the fireplace, between Pansy and Daphne, both sipping drinks.

Daphne is drifting off again. You follow her gaze and see Oliver smiling at her from across the room before she excuses herself.

You and Pansy exchange glances. "Well, this should be fun." Pansy mutters.

As Daphne walks toward Oliver, your eyes shift to the entrance.

Theodore, Lorenzo, and Mattheo have just arrived.

The atmosphere changes instantly. Theodore's sharp eyes scan the room, while Lorenzo looks mildly amused, nodding his head to the music. Mattheo, on the other hand, has that dark glint in his eyes that only appears when he sees someone getting too close to something - or someone - he cares about. Oliver too close to Daphne.

"Great. Now it’s a proper party." Pansy says under her breath, nudging you.

You half-smile, but your attention is already on Cormac, who appears beside you with a drink in his hand.

"You must be bored. Your parties must be more exciting." Cormac says.

"I like it here because it’s different. And everyone seems nice," you reply.

"I'm glad you like it. I'm really surprised you don't have a boyfriend." Cormac says.

"Yeah... maybe it's not the right time," you mumble, looking down at your hands.

"Want something to drink? Try this." Cormac offers, holding out a shimmering lilac-colored cocktail.

You reach for it, hesitant.

But before the glass can touch your lips...

The glass is slapped from your hand, shattering into pieces on the floor.

The room falls silent.

Theodore stands there, shoulders tense, his eyes wild with fury. Then, in one brutal movement, he h!ts Cormac square in the face.

"You son of a bi—! Don’t you dare go near her again or you’ll find out what I’m capable of!" He shouts.

Cormac falls back into a table, grabbing his jaw, too shocked to react.

"What are you doing here?" you demand.

"To protect you from him!" Theodore yells.

"He didn’t do anything!" you shout back, barely registering the eyes on you.

"How blind can you be?!" Theodore snaps. "He put something in your drink!"