Chapter 19 Next time, it won't just be embarrassing.

As the ball began, Celeste was still wearing the black ruffled dress she had picked out earlier. Glancing around, it seemed everyone was dressed similarly, and Celeste's makeup was light, not drawing much attention. However, Chloe quickly approached her, visibly excited. "Celeste, you actually—" Fool! She actually showed up in that dress!" Chloe, thrilled at the thought of the impending spectacle, grabbed Celeste's hand with enthusiasm. Celeste looked startled, but internally, she was amused. She hadn't expected Chloe to be so eager to make physical contact. This was the perfect opportunity to use the sharp little dagger she had hidden to swiftly make a few cuts on Chloe's dress at the straps. The cuts would be deep enough to cut through the straps but not so deep as to make them fall off immediately. If Chloe behaved and didn't try anything funny, then nothing would happen. But if she got aggressive and struggled, it would make for quite the scene! Oblivious to Celeste's plan, Chloe was eagerly anticipating the moment when everyone would turn against Celeste. She even disregarded propriety and loudly introduced her to the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet our new friend for the evening—Celeste!" "Why don't we let Celeste start off the first dance?" she proposed. "Who is she?" the crowd murmured, drawn by Chloe's loud announcement, yet no one really knew Celeste. In a corner, a woman in a sophisticated, understated nude-colored dress swirled her wine glass and sneered. "Chloe loves being the center of attention. Why would she pass up such a great chance to someone else?" "Must be something fishy," another guest whispered. "Just watch," they concluded. Everyone sensed that Celeste must have seriously wronged Chloe for her to make such a pointed display of support. As expected. When Celeste hesitated, too shy to step forward, Chloe pulled her forcibly onto the dance floor. The dancers made room, and the two entered the spotlight. Chloe spun Celeste around forcefully, a dramatic swirl of red and black on the dance floor—a captivating moment for all to see. Suddenly, everyone heard the sound of fabric tearing! Chloe was secretly thrilled, watching as Celeste's dress ripped from the bottom, expecting a scandalous scene. Gasps filled the air! But instead of a wardrobe malfunction, Celeste's dress, though split, revealed nothing inappropriate. It fluttered like butterfly wings, showing off a tastefully covered figure in a nude-colored underdress. "Wow!" "She's like a fairy!" Someone exclaimed, and spontaneous applause erupted. Amidst the applause, Chloe's face turned from excitement to ashen disbelief. She stared, dumbfounded, at the scene unfolding before her eyes. How on earth was Celeste ready for this? She actually wore something underneath! All her careful plotting didn't embarrass her at all; it just made her the star of the show! Ah, how did this happen? Fuming, Chloe stormed over to Celeste. She was too upset, too angry, and she was determined to confront Celeste. She couldn't let her get away with using her plan against her. But just a few steps in, there was another loud rip! "What, again?" Everyone's attention snapped back, still buzzing from the last spectacle. "Wait, is it different this time?" "She's not wearing anything underneath?!" There it was: Chloe's dress had torn, revealing her completely bare body beneath. In an attempt to show off her figure, she had squeezed into a smaller dress, leaving her top completely bare and only a skimpy thong underneath— With the skirt gone, the red lace thong was exposed for all to see, and her bare upper half gave everyone quite a show. The whole room was in shock. "What's Miss White doing? Is the White family now selling underwear?" "You'd think she was all proper, but who knew she was this wild?" "Her figure... not so great, huh? Looks like she's even padded her butt..." The murmurs around her were sharp and piercing. Even in today's more open society, as a notable daughter of the White family, known for her propriety, this was a disaster. She crouched down, hugging herself, wishing she could just pass out right then and there— "Miss White, if that was your design, why go bare? Were you... trying to grab attention on purpose?" Celeste, always knowing where to hit hardest, nudged the conversation subtly. The looks Chloe received were full of scorn. Society may be open, but there are limits. "Turning a wardrobe malfunction into a gimmick is worse than what a third-rate celebrity would do, a total disgrace to the White family." "That's shameful." "I didn't!" Chloe shouted back, her eyes welling up with tears. She couldn't understand! She had planned to embarrass Celeste, so why was she the one ending up humiliated? Even if Celeste was prepared, why did her own dress tear— "Yes, it was you—Celeste, you did this!" Chloe accused. "What are you talking about, Miss White? I don't understand," Celeste said with an innocent smile, then slowly squatted down. Her demeanor was gentle, but her tone was chilling, speaking in a whisper meant only for Chloe. "Isn't this what you wanted to see? Chloe, I'm just giving back what you planned for me…" Celeste's finger lightly brushed Chloe's cheek, her cold gaze making Chloe even more startled. "Next time, it won't just be embarrassing." Chloe shivered. Was this really Celeste? How could she look so terrifying!