The designer of the black gown also stepped forward.
BLACK-GOWN DESIGNER: "I would like to watch it as well."
The young woman smiled at her.
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "Thank you."
However, the woman in black was not ready to accept what was happening.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I object to this entire arrangement. If one contestant is allowed to repeat her presentation, every other contestant should receive the same opportunity."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "That is a reasonable point. We will review the schedule and ensure that nobody is disadvantaged."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "And what about the judges? Are we supposed to continue working under these conditions?"
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "The independent review will determine whether the current judging panel can continue without compromising the process."
The woman in black stared at him.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "You are suggesting that I should step aside?"
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "I am suggesting that everyone involved should cooperate until the facts are established."
He turned toward the organizer.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Please arrange a short recess. During that time, the technical team will verify the original records."
The organizer nodded.
ORGANIZER: "Certainly, sir."
The lights on the stage slowly dimmed.
Guests began standing and talking among themselves.
Some moved closer to the judges' table, hoping to understand what had happened.
Others gathered around the two contestants.
The young woman in blue was approached by several people who wanted to congratulate her on remaining calm throughout the confrontation.
GUEST 3: "You handled yourself beautifully."
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "Thank you. I was nervous, but I wanted to stay respectful."
GUEST 3: "You should be proud of yourself."
Another guest approached.
GUEST 4: "I had no idea how much work went into your dress. Those photographs were incredible."
BLUE-GOWN CONTESTANT: "I am glad people finally had the chance to see them."
GUEST 4: "You deserve that opportunity."
The contestant smiled, although she still looked overwhelmed.
Across the room, the woman in black was speaking quietly with a member of the organizing committee.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I need to see the original communication."
ORGANIZER: "The technical team is reviewing it now."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "I want the complete record, not a summary."
ORGANIZER: "That will be provided once the verification is complete."
WOMAN IN BLACK: "You need to understand that this could affect more than just tonight's event."
ORGANIZER: "I understand."
The woman in black looked toward the elderly gentleman, who was speaking with the middle-aged woman.
She then lowered her voice.
WOMAN IN BLACK: "There are people who will not be happy if this becomes public."
The organizer looked uncomfortable.
ORGANIZER: "Then perhaps it is even more important that we handle everything correctly."
The woman in black gave him a sharp look.
Meanwhile, the elderly gentleman had moved to a quieter corner of the ballroom.
The middle-aged woman stood beside him, holding the remaining documents.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "You did the right thing by bringing these records forward."
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "I only wanted the competition to be fair. I was uncomfortable with the instructions from the beginning."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Why did you not report them earlier?"
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "I tried. But I was told that the changes were part of a confidential administrative decision."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Who told you that?"
The middle-aged woman hesitated.
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "I believe we should examine the full communication history before naming anyone else."
The gentleman studied her expression.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Very well. But I need you to understand that this investigation cannot stop with one document."
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "I understand."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "If someone attempted to manipulate the results, we need to know whether that person acted alone."
The middle-aged woman nodded slowly.
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "There may be another record."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Another record?"
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "Yes. A message concerning the final award. I did not bring the original copy because I was not certain it would be relevant."
The elderly gentleman's expression became serious again.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "What did the message concern?"
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "It referred to a particular designer and suggested that the final award should go to someone else."
The gentleman looked toward the judges' table.
The woman in black was still standing there, speaking on her phone.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Do you know who sent it?"
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "I have an idea, but I would prefer to verify the sender before making any statement."
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "Then we will do that."
He paused.
OLDER GENTLEMAN: "I want you to bring every relevant document to the committee tomorrow morning. Nothing should be withheld."
MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN: "I will."
The gentleman turned toward the stage.
The production team had already begun preparing the photographs for the blue gown's presentation.
The first image appeared on the large screen.
It showed a simple sketch drawn by hand on a piece of paper.
The young woman in blue stood beside the stage, looking at it with a mixture of pride and nervousness.
She recognized the drawing immediately.
It was the very first version of the dress.
The design had been created late one night in a small room, with a notebook, a pencil, and a collection of fabric samples spread across the table.
She remembered the moment clearly.
Her mother had been sitting nearby, repairing an old dress.