Natalie's return sparks a formal homecoming: as the heir she must perform the centuries-old Blessing Salute and serve homecoming tea to Mr. Vincent Smith. Relatives loudly denounce her as a mere servant's daughter and an adopted outsider, trying to block the ritual and claim the honors. Vincent stays silent until he accepts her tea and declares, "From today onward, you're officially recognized as part of the family," refusing to abandon her. His public decision secures Natalie’s entry but ignites family outrage, leaving the household split and her immediate standing in the family unsettled.