"I thought I heard someone talking about me just now?"
Iris, holding her goblet with a flick of her wrist, flashed a smug smile towards Ava.
"I was actually calling out to you, but it seemed like you didn't hear me. The lady next to me was helping me call you, too. No one was talking about you."
"Really? I was just wondering where that barking noise was coming from in such a vast garden. I must have misheard," Ava responded as she lifted her glass in a courteous toast.
The woman beside them, who had been silent until then, suddenly bristled at Ava's remark.
"Who are you calling a dog? Haven't your family ever taught you manners? It's rude to say such things. Do you even deserve to be here at this discussion?"
"Oh, Lily, don't be upset. Ava has always been like this, and I guess it's my fault for not being famous enough, dragging you all into this," Iris intervened with feigned concern.
