Wearing a previously worn dress was a profound embarrassment in high society. If true, Yvette Chambers' reputation, recently returned from the countryside, would be irrevocably damaged, bringing utter humiliation.

Nellie and Winona watched Lana expectantly. "It would be wonderful if she had seen it before," Nellie whispered. "That would mean Yvette is merely wearing a hand-me-down, and there'll be real drama!"

Winona's lips curled into a mocking smile, her gloom dissipating. She suspected Sienna had deliberately provided a secondhand dress to humiliate Yvette. "If that's the case," she mused, "Yvette will be the biggest joke today!"

All eyes were on Yvette, who stood calmly in the garden's center. Her deep, dark eyes, like ink concealing a whirlpool, held a cold, mysterious stillness. Long, veil-like lashes cast shadows as her gaze swept lightly over the crowd. Her beauty, once again, captivated everyone, though some interpreted her silence as an admission of guilt.

Containing her excitement, Winona stepped forward. "Wearing a secondhand dress is unacceptable at our events," she declared with feigned sincerity. "I have an unworn dress in my room. Why don't you change?" Her supposed kindness seemed dubious to the others; Yvette wearing Winona's dress would only further emphasize her supposed inferiority. Several girls, usually close to Winona, urged Yvette to accept the offer.

"Winona is so kind, so thoughtful of her sister," one gushed.

"You should change, Ms. Zeller," another added.

"Yes, go on, change," chimed in a third.

Some, fearing the Chambers family, murmured their agreement. Zeke, however, saw an opportunity. "Go change with Winona," he urged. "The banquet is starting soon."

Nellie remained silent, noticing Zachary's growing displeasure. "No need for my involvement; they're already handling it. I don't want to anger him."

Unnoticed, Lana, the instigator, sweated profusely, struggling to speak. Richard and Robert watched with smug grins. "Good thing I broke off my engagement with Yvette," Richard thought. "The Carter family would be humiliated otherwise!"

Yulia felt a pang of sympathy for Yvette, but ultimately blamed her. "She's been back with the Chambers family for so long," she thought. "How does she still not understand the rules?"

Zachary's face darkened, suffocated by the scornful stares. He, too, believed Sienna had provided a previously worn dress. "Enough!" he finally roared. "My daughter can wear whatever she likes! This judgment is unacceptable!"

Winona's eyes blazed. Her father was siding with Yvette, alienating many influential people.

Zachary's genuine anger made the others uneasy. The Chambers family, though diminished, remained a powerful force.

Yvette, her composure unwavering, slightly furrowed her brows and turned to Lana. Her voice, cool and distant, carried across the garden. "Where did you see it?"

All attention shifted to Lana, drenched in sweat and visibly nervous.

Winona approached gently. "Lana, right? You said you've seen this dress before. Who wore it?" she prompted, offering a reassuring smile.

Seizing the opportunity, Lana inwardly lamented her impulsive remark. Taking a deep breath, she poured out her story.

"You misunderstood! I said I'd seen the dress, not that I'd seen it worn! I saw it last year at the Mysonna Art Gallery exhibition. It was a collection piece, a unique design by Sienna of 'Vibe,' for her muse. The gallery director had to persuade Sienna to display it for just two days. I loved it so much I inquired about it. The fabric is pure silkworm silk, 135 hours of hand-stitching by over a hundred workers. Did you see the diamonds? The purest in the world, privately owned, each worth over three million. It's only available at auction..."

She paused, envy evident in her eyes. "Mrs. Mith offered seventy million, but Sienna refused to sell. This dress isn't just expensive; it's one of a kind." She exhaled, surprised by the stunned silence.

Everyone stared at Yvette, mouths agape. The only sound was the wind whispering through the expansive garden.