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Chapter_135
The garden remained unnervingly silent. The air was thick with disbelief as the guests processed the information Lana had just divulged. No one spoke. No one moved. All eyes were locked on Yvette, who stood at the center of it all, seemingly untouched by the tension swirling around her.
Lana’s words about the dress—its intricate craftsmanship, the world’s purest diamonds, the price tag in the tens of millions—hung in the air like a weight too heavy to ignore. It wasn’t just a dress. It was a statement. A statement of wealth, exclusivity, and power. And the woman wearing it was Yvette Zeller.
For a moment, even Winona seemed to lose her composure. Her previously smug expression faltered, and she blinked, as if trying to make sense of the reality unfolding before her. The whispers of “hand-me-down” and “second-hand” that had echoed through the crowd now seemed utterly ridiculous, laughable even. How could anyone think Yvette was wearing something as ordinary as a used dress when it was clear she had been adorned in something so extraordinary?
Zeke, who had eagerly stepped forward to pile on the humiliation, suddenly felt small. He hadn’t expected this. The look in Yvette’s eyes, calm and collected, only further unsettled him. He had assumed the girl would crumble under pressure, but instead, she had become the focal point of admiration. His words, now, felt hollow.
Richard and Robert, who had been watching with glee moments before, stood frozen, their smug expressions evaporating. They hadn’t expected this turn of events either. Richard’s self-satisfaction at breaking off his engagement with Yvette had now transformed into a simmering regret. Had he made a mistake? Would this grand spectacle of wealth and poise end up reflecting poorly on him?
Zachary’s posture was more relaxed now. His jaw had unclenched, and the tightness in his face seemed to fade as he took in the reality of the situation. His daughter was no longer a vulnerable figure to be torn apart by cruel rumors and gossips—she had become a symbol of prestige in her own right. His initial anger had been fueled by his protective instincts, but now, there was something else there—something almost like pride.
Yulia, who had initially sympathized with Yvette, now only shrugged inwardly. There was no use in feeling sorry for someone who clearly understood more about the world’s elite than she had given credit for. “She knows what she’s doing,” Yulia thought, though a hint of curiosity lingered in her eyes.
Lana’s voice wavered nervously, breaking the silence. “I… I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” she stammered, her face flushing as she looked at the crowd, all eyes still trained on Yvette. “I just wanted to point out—” Her words trailed off, unable to continue. The shock of the situation had rendered her almost speechless. What had seemed like a harmless comment had spiraled into something much bigger. And now, she was the one in the hot seat.
Winona, seeing Lana’s nervousness, couldn’t hold back her frustration. She stepped forward, feigning a calm she did not feel. “So, this dress is one-of-a-kind, you say?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “And it was displayed at the Mysonna Art Gallery? Not something I would’ve expected from someone who just came back from the countryside.”
Her words dripped with disdain, but it was clear to everyone in the garden that her attempt to undermine Yvette was faltering. The dress itself had spoken volumes that Winona’s words could not undo. Yvette’s silence, her composed demeanor, and the sheer grandeur of the dress made her attempts at belittlement fall flat.
Yvette, finally breaking her silence, looked directly at Lana. “Thank you for sharing all of that, Lana,” she said, her tone calm, almost detached. “But I’m afraid the true value of this dress doesn’t concern me. It’s just a gift. A beautiful gift from someone who cared enough to see me adorned in something so stunning.” She glanced at the people around her, her gaze cool and unfazed. “But let’s not forget the real reason we’re here.”
Her eyes swept the garden, her gaze steady and unwavering. “We’re here for the banquet, for the celebration of the evening, and the company we share. Let’s not let petty gossip overshadow that, shall we?”
Her words, simple yet profound, shut down any further attempts to drag the conversation back to her dress or her background. She was right, of course. The evening had been about more than just appearances, but her poise and elegance had turned the moment into something unforgettable. No one would soon forget the girl from the countryside who had worn a priceless piece of art, and who had carried herself with such grace in the face of judgment.
For a brief moment, the tension in the garden dissolved as the guests realized Yvette had mastered the art of turning their assumptions against them. She wasn’t just the subject of their gossip. She was the one in control now.
Winona’s face reddened as she realized that any power she had hoped to gain over Yvette had crumbled. The joke was on her, not Yvette.
The silence lingered, but this time, it was different. It wasn’t the uncomfortable silence of a gathering awaiting a scandal—it was the silence of stunned admiration.
Finally, it was Zachary who spoke, his voice carrying through the garden with a newfound authority. “Let’s go inside. The banquet awaits.”
As the guests began to slowly move toward the entrance, some still whispering in low tones, others simply processing the events, Yvette remained composed at the center of the garden. It was clear that today, she had won.
