As Sienna stepped outside, she encountered Nellie, Winona, and Zeke returning from a restaurant. Nellie instantly recognized Sienna, having previously invited her to design custom dresses. Anyone wearing Sienna's creations was guaranteed to attract the fashion industry's attention; Nellie, lacking only fame, not funds, was captivated. Preoccupied with thoughts of Nathan, Sienna, slightly dazed herself, bumped into Nellie. Only then did Sienna notice the trio. She knew them from before leaving for Mysonna, especially Winona, a peer well-known among prestigious families. Zeke, a former suitor she'd slapped, had persistently harassed her until her departure.

Nellie's initial anger morphed into delighted surprise upon seeing Sienna. "Oh wow, Ms. Sterling! Are you here to deliver a dress to Yvette?" Nellie and Winona both hoped Sienna would deny it, clinging to the possibility Yvette wouldn't accept a personal delivery. Zeke, scrutinizing Sienna, recognized the woman he'd failed to pursue years ago. He marveled at her transformation from a demure, ladylike girl to her current bold style, sighing at the fashion industry's transformative power and its inexplicable allure. Only the next day, witnessing Yvette's breathtaking custom dress at a party, did he comprehend.

Ignoring them, Sienna bypassed the trio and entered her car. She sped away, leaving them stunned. Nellie, disregarding the housekeepers, unleashed a torrent of curses, abandoning all pretense of socialite composure. Winona and Zeke eventually calmed her.

Inside the study, Zachary sat at his desk, his gaze sharp, Lucas standing beside him, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced with tension. "We can't reach Fabian? His phone's been off since noon?" Zachary asked. Lucas confirmed this, reporting that Fabian had taken a late-night call, experienced restless sleep, and his luggage and documents had vanished, suggesting his departure from Seacrity. Zachary, though initially angered, calmed as Lucas efficiently detailed his investigation, including Fabian's drugging with sleeping pills.

Zachary lit a cigar, his suspicions falling on Nellie, though he hesitated to consider another, more unsettling possibility. He preferred blaming Nellie rather than the young man he'd watched grow up. Sighing, he ended the investigation, Lucas already surmising an insider's involvement. Understanding Zachary's reluctance to pursue it further, Lucas simply replied, "Okay, Mr. Chambers."

After finishing his cigar, Zachary checked the time. "How's the setup for tomorrow's party? Has Mrs. Chambers shown any special interest in anything?" Lucas, unaware of the day's events, carefully responded, stating Mrs. Chambers had managed most arrangements personally. Zachary's voice hardened. "Tomorrow, keep a close watch on her. Report anything unusual immediately."

Lucas, a trusted confidant due to his loyalty, intelligence, and attention to detail, readily agreed to remain by Yvette's side. Zachary, appearing unusually lonely, dismissed Lucas. Lucas, sensing the potential for chaos, wondered about the events that had made Zachary so wary of Nellie.

In her bedroom, Nellie, after a self-satisfied grin and a text message exchange, muttered to her reflection, "Yvette, I'll make sure you end up with nothing. I'll ruin you completely. Hahaha!"

Zeke and Winona, after escorting Nellie, returned to their rooms. Dinner remained untouched. Lucas, after instructing the housekeepers, hesitated before going to brief Nellie about the banquet. Reaching Nellie's door, he heard her eerie laughter, freezing him in indecision until she opened the door, her expression unfriendly. "What are you doing here? What did you hear?"