Amelia leaned closer to inspect Evelyn's gown. "Let me see if I've accidentally marked your dress."

Evelyn's voice was gentle. "Amelia, it's fine. There's no stain. Please don't worry about it."

Rebecca stepped in from the side. "Oh, Evelyn, even if it's just a dress, you shouldn't be so casual. Especially when it's a costly gift from your husband. You should go to the powder room and check. Perhaps you can still salvage it."

As she spoke, Rebecca pointed to a specific spot on the fabric. "Look, there's a red wine mark right here."

Evelyn thought of the dress Alexander had given her.

Rebecca was annoying, but her words held a kernel of truth.

Evelyn knew she had to be more cautious with such a precious present.

Seeing the genuine anxiety on Amelia's face, Evelyn knew she needed to act to prevent further distress.

"Alright, I'll go to the restroom and see what I can do." Lifting her skirt slightly, Evelyn made her way out.

As she left, murmurs rippled through the nearby guests.

"That gown is incredibly expensive. What a tragedy if it's ruined."

"Why are you so invested in this?"

Meanwhile, Rebecca seized the moment while everyone was distracted. She quickly sent a text from Evelyn's phone.

Everything was proceeding exactly as she had planned.

Evelyn returned from the restroom a short while later, looking composed.

Amelia rushed to her side immediately. "How is the dress? Is everything alright?"

Evelyn offered a reassuring smile. "It's perfectly fine. It was just a tiny splash of wine. I think I might have brushed against something myself. It certainly wasn't your fault."

Amelia let out a visible sigh of relief. "I'm so glad it's okay."

Despite Rebecca's earlier implications, Amelia's primary concern had been the potential damage to Evelyn's valuable dress.

Evelyn took Amelia's hand, sensing her lingering worry. "Really, don't fret. Even if it had been stained, it wouldn't be the end of the world. I can always have it professionally cleaned after the party. They work miracles."

Rebecca, lingering nearby, couldn't resist interjecting again.

"Evelyn, how can you say it's nothing?" Rebecca sighed dramatically, feigning deep concern. "That dress is worth a fortune. None of us here could ever hope to replace it. And if your husband finds out and blames us... he's not a man who would let something like this slide."

Evelyn's expression hardened at Rebecca's insinuations.

Alexander, her husband, was nothing like the unreasonable tyrant Rebecca was trying to portray.

Just recently, Rebecca had unfairly labeled Alexander as incompetent. Now she was casting aspersions on his character.

What was her problem?

Lost in the moment, Amelia suddenly realized a gap in her knowledge. "Evelyn, are you actually married? I've been so focused on the dress I completely forgot to ask."

Before Evelyn could answer, Rebecca cut in swiftly. "Of course Evelyn is married. Her husband is..."

She paused dramatically, giving Evelyn a pointed, exaggerated look.

"Oh, Evelyn, I'm talking too much again. Should I continue? You probably don't want me to, do you?"