What did Maria say?

Ellena's POV

My body froze the moment my ears recognized the voice that had just echoed. It wasn't just me who turned around; everyone around us did as well, all looking to see who it was. A woman with her hair in a bun, her smile unsettling, stood with her arms crossed over her chest.

Her presence wasn't entirely unexpected—I had anticipated this, but it didn't make it any easier to encounter her in such a setting. Especially with so many of Mr. August's acquaintances present, her words could easily embarrass him.

That woman was none other than John's girlfriend, Maria. She looked at me with disdain, as if I were beneath her. A few people glanced between Maria and Mr. August, until one of them spoke up. "Miss Maria, you can't make such outrageous claims without evidence. Are you trying to mislead us all? Or do you have another motive for saying that?"