[Keenly attuned to being outdone, Val can sense danger here. He can't be outdone. But he also can't back down.

Here is the only safe gambit:]

Why you would presume that I know every minor figure to which you have come into contact with is entirely beyond me. And, beyond this, the assumption speaks to your ego, mademoiselle. Which is not flattering. I should be first to tell you this, in case you have not heard from any friend before, and have been going around making a great fool of yourself.