The dinner table gleams under crystal light. Silver cutlery clinks softly. Everyone is seated — Brianna beside Nuel, across from Claudia and MR. and MRS. Dennis.
Conversations flow — polite, shallow — until Claudia begins to push the edges. This time she was determined to ruin Anna, even with what had happened between her and Emmanuel.
Claudia sat straight picking up her glass. “It’s so rare to see someone come into this house who doesn’t know all the... traditions. It can be quite overwhelming, I imagine.”
Brianna was smiling warmly. “Oh, not at all. I find it fascinating. I enjoy learning new customs — even if I wasn’t raised in them, respect doesn’t require familiarity.”
Mr Theophilos nodded positively. “Well said.”
Claudia was surprised, Mr Dennis loved what Anna said. She chuck
