Noelle didn't need to see Xenia to know what was coming. Years of Xenia's games had made her acutely aware of the woman's every move. Without looking, Noelle snatched at her dress hem just as Xenia's foot pressed down. A sharp tug, a swift sidestep, and Xenia tumbled forward, a splash of red wine flying from her hand. She landed squarely in the middle of a towering champagne display, bringing the whole glittering structure crashing down.

The hall erupted in a chaotic hush. Noelle watched calmly as Xenia, soaked and screaming, flailed amidst the shattered glass. A ghost of a smile played on Noelle’s lips. Xenia's tricks were as predictable as ever, but this time, Noelle wouldn't be the victim.

"Xenia, are you alright?" Lucas rushed forward with Frank. He pulled Xenia to her feet, stepping over shards of glass. "How did you fall?"

Xenia, bleeding and furious, seethed. Noelle should be the one covered in champagne, not her. She met Noelle’s gaze, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Lucas, I tripped," she said, her voice tight. "I didn't mean to."

Noelle smirked. Frank frowned, noticing Xenia’s pointed look at Noelle. "Xenia, be more careful," he said, "Let Lucas take you to the hospital."

Xenia stared, stunned. That wasn't the plan. She'd hoped to shift the blame, to appear the innocent victim. Why wasn't Frank playing along?

Lucas's expression hardened. "Xenia, tell me the truth. Did Noelle do this?"

"No, Lucas, please," Xenia whispered, her voice choked. "It was an accident."

But the unspoken accusation hung heavy in the air. Lucas glared at Noelle. "Did you do this because I brought Xenia instead of you?"

Noelle raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Lucas, I had my own invitation. I didn't need anyone to bring me."

Lucas shifted uncomfortably. "Noelle, you hate it when Xenia gets attention. You humiliated her."

Noelle laughed. "What attention? What does she have worth stealing?"

Xenia’s face crumpled. Rachel, however, chimed in, "Even a blind man could see Noelle's the star here. She's a major influencer. Xenia doesn't even have an invitation!"

Michael added, "Is there something wrong with the Liddell family's logic? Noelle's the star. Who's really stealing the spotlight?"

Lucas's face drained of color. Xenia, tears streaming down her face, looked at him desperately. "Lucas, stop! It was me. I tripped." She touched her wrist, a sigh escaping her lips. "My bracelet... it's broken. Such a shame. It was expensive, wasn't it?"