Look at you! Now you're nothing! Gwen shouted, her face contorting into a harsh, distorted expression of pure arrogance. The surrounding guests gasped loudly, shocked by the sheer cruelty of her words at a formal gathering. Julian did not flinch, nor did he offer a loud defense. Instead, he took a slow, deep breath as the bright sunlight caught the golden flecks in his eyes. In an extreme close-up, his eyelid lifted fully, his gaze calm and unwavering despite the storm raging around him. A still lake... still and calm, Julian murmured under his breath, his voice steady and icy. Gwen scoffed, rolling her eyes in disgust at what she assumed was a pathetic attempt to save face. You can't even stand up to look me in the eye! she spat, taking a confident step forward to tower over him. She was convinced that this moment would mark his complete public humiliation, cementing her dominance in front of the city's highest socialites.