17 The Fall Before Them All

17 The Fall Before Them All
17
The Fall Before Them All

The arrival of the Smith family had been nothing short of grand. Their polished cars rolled up one after the other, sleek and commanding, and heads turned almost instinctively. Eyes widening in awe.
Whispers rippled across the garden, reminding everyone of just how wealthy Grams truly was, how much money, class, and power they carried with them. It was as though their very presence reinforced the Smith legacy, power, money, and class wrapped into one spectacle. And somehow, it made Grams shine even brighter in the eyes of everyone present.

The party was already in full swing. Long rows of lights twinkled overhead like fallen stars caught in the branches, casting a golden glow on everything beneath while laughter and chatter rippled through the air. The air was thick with the aroma of grilled meat from one corner, laughter mingling with the crisp clinking of glasses from the drinks stand, and the warm chatter of old friends reuniting.

When the Master of Ceremonies finally took the podium, he raised the mic with a grin.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” His booming voice silenced the crowd, drawing everyone's attention. “What a night to celebrate love, life, and legacy!” He cracked a few jokes, playful and light, drawing chuckles and bursts of laughter from the tables. “Now, I won’t bore you with speeches, you didn't come here for that. You came here to have fun, right?” Another cheer. “But first, let us welcome our gracious celebrant, the woman of tonight, the woman whose grace and strength hold this family together, Madam Eleanor Smith, or as we all call her, our beloved Grams!”

Polite applause rose as Grams, radiant in her deep emerald gown, waved gently at her guests, her smile soft but proud. The MC lifted his hand for silence.
“Let us bless this gathering with a short prayer.” He bowed his head, voice solemn yet warm, as he thanked God for long life, family, and unity. When he finished, he grinned again. “Now… eat, drink, dance! Tonight belongs to every single one of you, enjoy yourselves!”

The crowd roared with approval, chairs shifting as guests mingled, laughter bubbling back into the air as they drifted toward food, drinks and laughter.

Tessy sat quietly at her seat, Ryan steady by her side, his calm presence keeping her grounded. On his other side, Ronda talked endlessly, her voice sharp, her gestures exaggerated as though she was narrating the entire party to herself. Ryan leaned slightly toward Tessy, quiet but attentive, his gaze often slipping her way. Ronda, on the other hand, was relentless. She filled every silence with her chatter, pointing at guests, commenting on clothes, gossiping about things no one asked her about.

Ryan nodded politely once or twice but never really looked at her. His attention kept drifting back to Tessy.

And Ronda noticed. Oh, she noticed.

She suddenly tapped Tessy’s arm.

“I’m thirsty,” she said matter-of-factly. “And I’m sure Ryan could use a drink too. Go on and get some for us.”

Tessy blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Ronda’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Ronda’s lips curved in a cruel little smirk. “Isn’t that what you do at your café? Collect orders?”

The words landed like stones in Tessy’s chest. She could already feel the eyes of a few guests nearby, curious stares wondering who is she to be ordered around? Heat pricked her cheeks.

Bruno, who had just arrived and slid into the seat opposite, leaned back and faced Ronda with a scoff.
“Did I miss something? Since when did Tessy become anyone’s maid?”

Ryan’s jaw tightened, his voice firm. “If you’re thirsty, Ronda, get it yourself.”

Gasps fluttered among those within earshot. Tessy’s fingers curled in her lap. Embarrassment pressed down on her, she hated being the center of such a scene. She stood abruptly, forcing a small smile. “Excuse me.”

Ryan rose too, ready to follow, but Grams appeared right then, catching Tessy gently by the arm. “There you are, sweetheart!” Grams’ eyes glowed with affection as she pulled Tessy closer. “I’ve been looking for you. Come, there are people I want you to meet.”

Before Tessy could respond, she was ushered to a circle of elegantly dressed women, Grams’ old friends, dignified yet lively, their laughter bubbling like fine wine. Ryan trailed behind, protective, as Grams proudly introduced them.
“This is Tessy. Isn’t she beautiful? And Ryan, of course, you all know him, my pride.”

“Oh, Eleanor, you weren’t exaggerating,” one of the women gushed, her pearls glinting in the light. “She’s stunning. And such grace in her smile.”

Tessy blushed, murmuring a polite thank you as more compliments followed. Ryan’s lips curved slightly, his gaze lingering on her and pride flickering in his eyes.

“Here, darling.” Grams handed her a tray with glasses filled with wine. “Would you mind helping me pass these to a few guests over there?”

“Of course,” Tessy said softly, balancing the tray carefully as she turned toward the crowd.

She was only a few steps away from her destination when someone’s shoulder slammed hard into hers. The tray jolted. Glasses clattered. Wine splashed red across the floor, dripping down her gown as crystal shattered in sharp bursts.

Tessy’s eyes flew up, breath caught in her throat…

And there was Ronda. Standing there. Her painted lips pulled into a smile that screamed anything but innocent.

For a heartbeat, the hall went still. Eyes swiveled toward Tessy and the scene. Whispers rose, soft at first, like the hiss of snakes slithering through silk.

Then Ronda’s sharp voice sliced through the silence.

“You lowlife shit!” She screamed, scanning Tessy from head to toe.
“How dare you? Don’t you even know how to do your job properly? Just pray I don’t find a scratch on my body. Do you even know who I am?” Her shrill voice rose, drawing even more attention.

Her mother rushed to her side in alarm.
“What’s wrong, child? Who did this to you?” she gasped, noticing Ronda’s dress already stained with wine.

“She did!” Ronda spat, pointing at Tessy. “This lowlife maid!”

Mrs. Hill’s eyes flicked over Tessy, hesitant. The girl wasn’t dressed like a maid, her gown looked expensive, refined. But still, she chose to stand by her daughter. After all, they were elites, friends of the Smith family. In their circle, they could get away with almost anything.

“How dare you!” Mrs. Hill snapped. “Watch where you’re going. If you have nothing better to do, then leave this party. Clearly, you don’t belong here.”

Tessy’s throat tightened. She swallowed hard and forced out an apology.
“I’m sorry… it wasn’t intentional. She… she bumped into me…”

“You’re saying I’m at fault?” Ronda cut her off, her voice dripping with outrage. “Me?” By now, a crowd had gathered around them.

“Ronda! What’s going on here? And who is that?” Victoria’s voice sliced through the whispers. She stepped forward gracefully, her eyes narrowing as they landed on Tessy. A slow, knowing smile curved her lips.

“Oh… is this Tessy? The Tessy?” She chuckled darkly. “God knows you were never meant to be
here. You should have stayed far away the moment you learned I would be attending.”