Skip to content
Novel Catalog
Chapter_134
The silence that followed Lana’s words was palpable. It was as if the entire garden had been frozen in time. The guests, who had just moments ago been whispering among themselves and scheming, were now left stunned, their mouths agape, their eyes locked on Yvette. The woman they had thought was just some rustic girl from the countryside was now standing before them, draped in a dress worth tens of millions, a dress so unique that it could only be described as a masterpiece.
Lana, who had been the catalyst for the drama, now seemed to shrink under the weight of the revelation she had just made. Her face was pale, and her words seemed to have taken on a life of their own, spreading like wildfire. The previously hostile atmosphere had shifted into one of awe and disbelief.
“One of a kind?” Zeke, who had been trying to egg Yvette into changing earlier, now sounded almost breathless. “This dress is worth how much?”
His question hung in the air, but no one answered. The information Lana had provided was too overwhelming for anyone to process quickly. The guests were still reeling from the realization that Yvette wasn’t just wearing an expensive gown—she was wearing a piece of art, a one-of-a-kind creation by a world-renowned designer. The fact that it had been shown at the Mysonna Art Gallery, a prestigious venue, only added to the exclusivity of the piece.
Winona’s expression had gone from smug to confused, then to a mix of frustration and disbelief. She had been sure that Yvette’s dress was second-hand, something ordinary, something she could use to humiliate her sister. But now, standing there, she could feel the ground beneath her shifting. The dress wasn’t just expensive; it was beyond her comprehension. She had never imagined Yvette could own something so luxurious, so rare. Her earlier plans to embarrass her sister seemed utterly hollow now.
Nellie, too, was stunned. She had been waiting for Yvette to slip up, for something to go wrong, but this revelation had caught her off guard. She had thought herself so clever, manipulating the situation to Winona’s advantage, but now… Now, Yvette was the one at the center of attention, and it wasn’t because of a mistake or a slip-up—it was because she had worn something truly extraordinary.
Meanwhile, Zachary, who had been standing quietly, watching the scene unfold, allowed a small, satisfied smile to play on his lips. It wasn’t just the dress that had stunned the crowd—it was the way Yvette had handled the situation. She had remained composed, unfazed, even as the eyes of the entire garden were on her. Her calmness, her grace, only made her presence even more captivating. It was clear now that Yvette was not just another girl from the countryside—she was someone with a rare, almost regal quality.
Zachary’s pride in his daughter swelled, but he kept his expression neutral. He had hoped this day would go well, but this… this was more than he had expected. Yvette was not just a daughter to be pitied or humiliated—she was someone worthy of respect, and it was evident now that the world would have to take notice of her.
As the stunned silence stretched on, it was Lana who finally broke it, her voice shaky and filled with unease. “I—I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just thought you should know… I didn’t know she—” she stammered, her eyes darting around, searching for a way to backtrack.
But no one was listening to her anymore. All eyes were on Yvette, and her response, when it came, was calm, measured, and laced with a quiet authority.
“I appreciate your concern, Lana,” Yvette said softly, her gaze locking with the woman who had unknowingly set this chain of events into motion. “But this dress was never meant to be a spectacle. It’s simply a gift, one I was fortunate enough to receive.”
Her voice was calm, distant even, but there was an undeniable weight to her words. Yvette wasn’t just the girl who had been found in the countryside—she was someone who belonged here, in this world of high society, with its rules, its intrigues, and its glories.
The crowd stood there, still in awe, processing the significance of what had just been revealed. There was no longer any doubt in their minds: Yvette wasn’t just the daughter of Zachary Chambers. She was someone who had something to offer that no one could ignore.
Winona, standing a few paces away, gripped the hem of her dress tightly, her nails biting into the fabric as a deep sense of unease settled in her chest. She had lost. There was no other way to put it. The dress, the admiration, the attention—it all belonged to Yvette now.
And as the silence finally began to break, it wasn’t with the murmur of gossip or whispers of embarrassment. It was with a quiet realization that this girl, the one they had all underestimated, was no longer the underdog. She was, quite possibly, the one everyone else should be looking up to.
Zachary glanced at Yvette, his gaze soft but proud. He had made the right choice in acknowledging her as his daughter, and now, he knew, the world would see her for what she truly was.
The banquet was about to begin, but for many, the real drama had already unfolded.
