The chandeliers trembled as the first scream cut through the gala.\n\nI saw it happen in slow motion—Mrs. Kensington collapsing, wineglass shattering, her hand clutching her throat. Every eye turned to me, standing just behind her, glove still stained with the dregs of her drink.\n\n"Serena did it!" Lola’s voice rang out like church bells at dawn, pure and damning.\n\nGuards swarmed. Gilbert held up a crumpled note—forged, I knew instantly—with my handwriting confessing to the poisoning. Dorian stepped forward, not to defend me, but to cuff me himself.\n\n"You have rights," he said, cold eyes locking onto mine, "but not here."\n\nAs they dragged me away, I caught Lola’s smile across the room. This wasn’t just betrayal. It was execution by reputation.\n\nNow I have one chance: break Dorian’s trust to expose the truth, flee before trial, or use the courtroom to turn their lies against them.