At a high-end cocktail party, Mason Lockwood stood in the center of the room, surrounded by other wealthy and influential individuals.
Mason is an imposing figure, with a tall, muscular build, and a chiseled, square face that resembles that of a Greek god. His eyes are a piercing blue, and his fair, clear skin accentuates his good looks. He is dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, which complements his imposing stature. As Mason converses with the other elite members of society, his gaze lingers on each of them, silently assessing and analyzing each person he encounters. He holds a glass of expensive wine in one hand, which he brings up to his lips occasionally as he continues to engage in polite, yet calculated, conversations.The atmosphere of the party is one of affluence and power, with everyone trying to one-up each other in subtle ways. However, Mason remains composed, his expression betraying little emotion as he mingles among the crowd. At the same time, the kitchen is bustling with activity. Waiters move swiftly around, balancing golden trays laden with delectable desserts and elegant glasses of assorted drinks.Amidst the chaos, Grace, a young woman whose milky white skin and dark black hair create a striking contrast against her emerald green eyes, maneuvers gracefully among the other servers. Though her figure is slim and curvaceous, the waitress dress she wears conceals any hints of femininity.As Grace expertly navigates the kitchen, we learn of her difficult past. Orphaned from a young age, she has been constantly working odd jobs to make ends meet, hoping to save up for a college education.Though the hours are long and the work exhausting, Grace's strong will and determination keep her going. She knows that education is her way out of the cycle of poverty, and she is determined to succeed.Despite the challenges she faces, Grace holds her head high and maintains a smile as she continues to serve the guests at the cocktail party.As Grace circulates around the room, she can't help but notice the red-haired woman standing next to Mason. The lady's smile is coy, her confidence palpable as she stands beside the billionaire.Grace's thoughts can't help but wander as she observes the pair, wondering what it would be like to live such a charmed life. The stark contrast between her own struggles and the seemingly effortless existence of the wealthy is not lost on her.As Grace continues to serve the guests, the disparity between her life and those of the wealthy becomes all the more apparent. Her dress, once crisp and clean, is now slightly rumpled and worn from the hours of work, while the guests wear expensive designer clothes that have seen no such strain.Just as Grace is lost in thought, her foot catches on a small, unseen obstacle. The momentum of her stride sends her reeling, and in a split second, her tray is jolted from her hands, its contents raining down upon the unsuspecting woman standing next to Mason.For a brief moment, time seems to stop. The clatter of glass and the shocked gasps of the guests fill the air as Grace stares in horror, her mind racing as she processes what has just happened.Mason, startled by the commotion, turns quickly towards the source of the disturbance. His gaze falls upon Grace, who is frozen in place, her eyes wide with shock and embarrassment.In a matter of seconds, the crowd has turned towards them, their eyes focused on the scene unfolding before them. Grace is mortified, her mind spinning with the realization that she has caused a scene in front of the very people she has been trying so hard to impress.Mason's face, however, remains unreadable.With a sudden movement, Reina slaps Grace across the face, the sound of the impact echoing through the room. The force of the slap sends Grace stumbling backwards, her her shoe stumping on shards of broken glass from the cocktail glasses.Reina glares at Grace, her rage palpable. "Are you completely useless?" she demands, her voice filled with venom. "Look what you've done! My dress is ruined!"The guests look on in a mixture of shock and fascination as Reina continues her tirade. "You should be fired for this.Grace, still reeling from the slap and struggling to keep her balance on the broken glass, finds herself unable to respond. Her eyes fill with tears as she stares at Reina, her mind racing with the realization that she could very well lose her job over this.Jacob a friend of Mason, who had been watching the scene unfold with a detached expression, now speaks. "That's enough, Reina," he says calmly. "The girl made a mistake, but she didn't do it on purpose. There's no need to humiliate her further."Reina, still fuming, turns her ire towards Jacob."Are you defending her?" Reina spits out, her eyes flashing with anger. "This is what happens when you hire these common people. They're always causing problems and ruining things."Mason, undeterred by Reina's outburst, meets her gaze with a cool, calculating expression. "Perhaps you're right, Reina. But the fact remains that this was an accident. And accidents happen, even to the best of us."Reina's face flushes with fury, and she turns away from Mason with a huff of indignation. "Well, she's still a clumsy fool. And my dress is ruined. I expect some sort of compensation for this," she says, her tone leaving no room for argument.As the chaos unfolds, the manager, who had been standing off to the side, steps forward to address the situation. His face is a mask of mixed emotions, his gaze lingering on Grace for a moment before he turns to face Reina."Of course, ma'am. I will ensure that appropriate steps are taken to address this unfortunate incident," he says, a hint of irritation creeping into his tone as he glances in Grace's direction.Reina, still fuming, nods curtly, her eyes blazing with anger.As Reina leaves to change her soiled dress, the manager turns to Grace, his expression now stern. "What were you thinking? This is a high-profile event with influential people. You should know better than to make such careless mistakes."Grace, feeling increasingly ashamed, hangs her head. "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I just...I was distracted," she says, her voice cracking with emotion.The manager sighs, rubbing his temples as if to ward off a headache, exhales deeply and shakes his head before addressing Grace once more. "Just clean this up" he snaps, before turning on his heel and storming away.As he leaves, two other waiters quickly approach, offering their assistance in clearing up the mess. Grace, silent and struggling to hold back tears, begins to clean up alongside them.Mason, having observed the entire scene, wordlessly slips his hands into his pockets and exits the party with his entourage, leaving Grace behind to process the events that have just unfolded.