The venom rolled through the terrace, making guests avert their eyes in shame. But Andres could no longer stay silent. He stepped forward, his voice shaking the air:

“Enough, Vanessa! I will not let you degrade Rosa or anyone—ever again. What you did is not teasing, it’s brutality. And if you can’t know that, then you don’t know me.”

The crowd panted. Murmurs spread. Vanessa’s mask cracked. Still, she tried to recover: “You’re exaggerating. She’s just the help. Don’t confuse her with us.”

But Rosa’s shaking voice rose again: “Mr. Andres, don’t worry about me. I’ve endured worse. I know who I am and what I’m worth, even if others don’t.”

Her honesty shushed the courtyard. Andres turned to Rosa, his words calculated and strong: “Rosa, this house shines because of you, not because of riches or vanity. You deserve respect—always.”