The Replacement Dress
Chapter 04 - The Replacement Dress
A second wedding gown waited inside the adjoining room.
It was more expensive than Dakota’s original dress. White satin, imported crystals, and a dramatic train designed for magazine photographs.
Victoria had ordered it months earlier under Dakota’s measurements.
The receipt described it as an “emergency ceremonial replacement.”
Serena stared at the date.
“You planned this before the engagement party.”
Victoria’s answer was calm.
“I planned for uncertainty.”
The replacement dress contained no Hale lace and no silver-thread pattern. Its designer had signed a confidentiality agreement through Victoria’s consulting company.
The agreement required the designer to state publicly that Dakota rejected her mother’s material as outdated.
Victoria did not merely want the covenant prevented.
She wanted Dakota recorded as voluntarily abandoning Eleanor’s legacy.
A public choice would be harder to challenge than private sabotage.
Naomi photographed the dress, receipt, and contract.
Victoria tried to leave.
Charles stepped aside rather than block the door.
“You may go,” he said. “But the property gates are under evidence preservation. Do not remove documents.”
Victoria looked at him.
May you like
“You would humiliate your wife during your daughter’s wedding?”
Charles answered, “You brought scissors into the bridal suite.”
