Aurora’s eyes widened slightly. Now she understood why Tessa had insisted they all take a glass of wine.

This wasn’t about making peace—it was just the opening move.

The entire front of Lucas’ chest was soaked.

With a loud clatter, the tray hit the floor.

“I’m so sorry, sir! I didn’t mean to… I’m really sorry, are you alright?” the server stammered.

The commotion instantly drew everyone’s attention, heads turning toward them.

Before Aurora could say a word, Tessa stepped forward and began scolding the server.

“How are you even working here? You can’t hold a tray of drinks properly? You still want your bonus this month? Who’s in charge of you?”

Aurora frowned at her sister’s performance, something about it feeling deeply off. “That’s enough, Tessa. What’s the point of yelling at him? What’s done is done.”

Tessa slapped her forehead, as if only now realizing that. “You’re right, I’ll take Lucas to change clothes right away. Good thing Julian brought a spare suit. If you don’t mind, he can wear that.”

Then she looked Lucas up and down, clearly unimpressed by his outfit.

Whatever he was wearing didn’t seem to carry any recognizable label, probably just something cheap.

“But I’m sure Lucas won’t mind. Julian’s suits are all custom made. It’s definitely a step up from what you’re wearing now.”

The unspoken implication couldn’t be clearer: “A nobody like you should be grateful just to be wearing something halfway decent.”

Aurora clenched her molars, the smile on her face tight with restrained fury.

Her sister really had a gift for turning insults into pleasantries.

Lucas’ face darkened as he looked at Tessa’s fake concern.

He glanced down at his wine-soaked suit, clearly ruined, then raised a brow and, without hesitation, shrugged off the jacket and held it casually in his hand.

“No need,” he said coolly. “I don’t wear clothes from just any random stray.”

Aurora let out a snort she couldn’t hold back.

She knew it wasn’t the right moment, but she couldn’t help it.

Aurora really did laugh out loud.

Julian, who had followed just behind, overheard the remark and couldn’t resist chiming in with a sneer.

“What’s that supposed to mean? I bet you’ve never even seen clothes of that quality in your life. And you actually have the nerve to show up at a banquet dressed in those off-brand rags?”

There was mockery in his voice as he gave Lucas a slow once-over.

Nothing he wore seemed familiar–definitely not from any major brand Julian recognized.

His eyes landed on Lucas’ trousers. They featured nothing but a single embroidered letter—F.

There were no logos, designer tags, and embellishments.

To Julian, it screamed generic.

He immediately wrote it off as cheap.

Lucas looked down at his clothes, then raised an eyebrow, amused.

This was a first—someone calling his clothes “off-brand.”

His smirk deepened, the cool edge at his lips growing sharper.

He was just about to respond when Aurora beat him to it.

“And what business is it of yours?

“My husband doesn’t like wearing clothes other people have worn—what’s wrong with that?

“Clothes are just meant to cover your body. But you? No matter how expensive your outfit is, it can’t hide that ugly mouth of yours.”

Then she shot a glare at Tessa.

From the moment her sister walked over, Aurora had sensed she was up to something.

And now it was clear.

If Lucas had followed her off to change, who knows what might’ve happened.