The two men hesitated briefly before shifting their attention to Nathan.

"And you are...?"

Nathan responded in impeccable German, "We have history. If you wish to speak with her, address me. I'll relay your words."

One of them frowned at Amy. "You're claiming she doesn't understand German?"

Nathan smirked. "Correct. She barely scraped through high school. English is a struggle, let alone German. Haven’t you noticed? She ignored everything you said—because she couldn’t comprehend a single syllable."

He leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Even her attendance at Mr. Pendleton’s symposium? A man pulled strings. She’s here for one purpose."

The men exchanged glances, intrigue flickering in their eyes. "A man? So she’s at this event because..."

Nathan nodded. "Precisely. Hunting for a new benefactor. The last one discarded her. Now she’s desperate."

Their gazes turned predatory as they assessed Amy. One nudged Nathan. "Ask her—what’s her price?"

Nathan turned, raising his voice deliberately. "Since your linguistic skills are lacking, allow me to translate."

He flashed a mocking grin. "They complimented your beauty. Aren’t you grateful?"

Amy regarded him like a pitiful jester.

The men, understanding enough English, snickered. One sneered in German, "Mr. Pendleton’s standards have truly plummeted. Even decorative fools slip in now."

Nathan leered. "This gentleman wishes to... enlighten you later."

Whispers spread. Attendees fluent in German stared, aghast.

Mr. Pendleton was German.

Though multilingual, respect demanded German here.

And Amy—ignorant? Unworthy?

Murmurs crescendoed, laced with derision. Why bother discretion when she couldn’t understand?

Amy’s fingers curled around a champagne flute.

In one fluid motion, she flung the wine into Nathan’s face.

The room gasped.

She tilted her chin, her voice crystalline as she spoke flawless French. "A benefactor? Then enlighten them—who was my last one?"

Her gaze frosted over. "Nathan, unless you furnish proof this instant, I’ll sue for defamation."

Nathan sputtered, but she silenced him with a raised phone. "Every word recorded. Apologize now, or prepare for legal repercussions."

Then—

She repeated it in razor-sharp German.

The men blanched.

"She—she speaks German?!"

"You swore she was illiterate!"

Nathan’s smirk shattered.

The crowd stilled.

Amy’s lips curved coldly. "Surprise."