Then Hector’s sharp voice cut through the silence. "Where is your respect?" His tone was so harsh that it made everyone freeze.

Aurora, unfazed, scanned the room until her eyes landed on a shadowy figure—Gris Damier. She stepped forward, her voice low and sharp as she muttered, "Ah… excuse me… but there’s no place for traitors here."

She stopped right in front of her target, a middle-aged man with a strong build and an arrogant smirk. He stood there, unshaken by her presence, as he placed his glass forcefully on the table, spilling some of its contents. With disdain, he sneered, "Who are you, you bit—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Baron fired a shot, hitting Gris’s leg and sending him to his knees.

A deathly silence followed. Aurora tilted her head slightly, repeating his words mockingly, "A bitch? Me?" Then she smirked with indifference.

Turning slightly, she said, "Did you hear that, Joseph? He just called your sister a bitch."

Joseph didn’t move. He knew that Gris was Aurora’s prey, and it was not his place to interfere. Meanwhile, the rest of the room trembled—Aurora was infamous for her ruthlessness. Even Gris, the arrogant man before her, stammered, "M-My apologies, miss… I didn’t know…"

Without waiting for a response, Aurora traced the edge of her knife along his lips, her tone laced with menace. "Did I give you permission to speak?" She then dragged the blade across his lips slowly, cutting them open, while Gris remained frozen in place.

"Baron," she called.

Baron stepped forward, passing through the crowd while Hector observed in silence, displeased by how closely Aurora and Baron worked together.

Baron halted in front of her, awaiting her command. Aurora exhaled sharply, eyes scanning the room. "It seems all eyes are on me again…"

But before she could say more, the two families, Salvador and Al Batris, unleashed a dark aura—one of dominance, one of bloodshed. The tension was suffocating. At that moment, every guest lowered their gaze to the floor, unwilling to meet the deadly glares of the hosts. Even Baron, for the first time, averted his gaze, turning his back to Aurora in silent obedience.

Yet unlike her usual self, Aurora didn’t seem to take pleasure in her work this time. Clicking her tongue in irritation, she drove her knife deep into Gris’s forehead. Blood splattered onto her dress as she stepped away, leaving him kneeling there, lifeless, the blade still embedded in his skull.

As she passed Baron, she simply said, "Clean up."

Then, she walked toward her parents with unusual grace, placing a hand on her chest and bowing slightly as she apologized, "Forgive me for disturbing the evening. My work here is done. I’ll take my leave now."

She gave a respectful nod to Emmanuel and Alice Salvador before lightly touching the bloodstains on her dress, sighing, "Such an unfortunate mess… My apologies." Then, without another word, she turned, frustration evident on her face.

Hector remained still, his expression unreadable, until his mother gave him a subtle look—one that he understood immediately. Without hesitation, Hector shrugged off his jacket and swiftly caught up with Aurora.

Without breaking stride, he draped his jacket over her shoulders. Then, unexpectedly, he took her hands in his and gently wiped the blood from them. Aurora stared at him, baffled by his actions. "What are you doing?" she asked.

Joseph was about to interfere, but Victor stopped him—just as Assie silently held her husband back.

Hector simply smiled, tightening his grip on her hand before shifting his gaze to the crowd. In a firm voice, he declared, "This is Aurora Al Batris… my fiancée."

And with that, he pulled her away, leaving behind a stunned silence.

Aurora, still in shock, didn’t resist, unable to comprehend his actions. Meanwhile, Baron stood motionless, staring at the lifeless body before him, his fingers tapping against its forehead, rage flickering in his eyes.