Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Man Who Stole: The Man Who Stole My Mother's Name
The envelope trembled in my hands My Mother's Name
The envelope trembled in my hands, but I refused to let anyone see me shake.
Across, but I refused to let anyone see me shake.
Across the auditorium, Richard Laurent had just entered the judges' suite.
He was older than in the auditorium, Richard Laurent had just entered the judges' suite.
He was older than in my mother's photograph, with silver hair, a tailored black suit, and the polished smile of a man who my mother's photograph, with silver hair, a tailored black suit, and the polished smile of a man who had spent decades convincing people that money and had spent decades convincing people that money and truth were the same thing.
Vanessa hurried toward him.
They embraced like old friends.
Brianna followed, truth were the same thing.
Vanessa hurried toward him.
They embraced like old friends.
Brianna followed, still wearing my stolen blue gown, and whispered something into his ear. Richard looked toward me.
Then he smiled.
It was the same smile I'd seen on Brianna's face when she'd carried my dress still wearing my stolen blue gown, and whispered something into his ear. Richard looked toward me.
Then he smiled.
It was the same smile I'd seen on Brianna's face when she'd carried my dress out of my bedroom.
out of my bedroom.
A smile that said the outcome had already been decided.
Daniel Brooks appeared at my side.
"Miss Carter, Mr. Vale wants you in the judges' conference room.""
"Can he stop the suspension?""
"He's trying.""
I looked toward Richard.
"Does he know myA smile that said the outcome had already been decided.
Daniel Brooks appeared at my side.
"Miss Carter, Mr. Vale wants you in the judges' conference room.""
"Can he stop the suspension?""
"He's trying.""
I looked toward Richard.
"Does he know my mother?""
Daniel's expression tightened.
"Mr mother?""
Daniel's expression tightened.
"Mr. Laurent was one of the executives involved in the original dispute over her designs.""
"Then why is he allowed to decide whether my dress can compete?""
"He's a sponsor, not a judge. The committee has. Laurent was one of the executives involved in the original dispute over her designs.""
"Then why is he allowed to decide whether my dress can compete?""
"He's a sponsor, not a judge. The committee has to consider his complaint, but he doesn't control the final decision.""
I drew a slow breath.
"Take me to Adrian.""
The conference room was crowded when we arrived. Adrian stood beside a long table, speaking to three committee members. Margaret Shaw had to consider his complaint, but he doesn't control the final decision.""
I drew a slow breath.
"Take me to Adrian.""
The conference room was crowded when we arrived. Adrian stood beside a long table, speaking to three committee members. Margaret Shaw had spread copies of my mother's sketches across the table, while a legal adviser examined the disputed spread copies of my mother's sketches across the table, while a legal adviser examined the disputed ownership document.
Richard Laurent sat at the far end.
He didn't stand when I entered.
Instead, he glanced at ownership document.
Richard Laurent sat at the far end.
He didn't stand when I entered.
Instead, he glanced at my gown and gave a small, disappointed shake of his head.
"So this is the dress causing all the trouble.""
I kept my voice steady.
"My name is Nia Carter my gown and gave a small, disappointed shake of his head.
"So this is the dress causing all the trouble.""
I kept my voice steady.
"My name is Nia Carter. The dress is my. The dress is my design.""
Richard opened a folder.
"Your mother's name was Elena Carter, wasn't it?""
"Yes.""
"Then you should understand why this is complicated.""
"No. I understand why you want everyone to believe it is.""
One of the committee members looked up sharply.
Richard's smile thinned.
"Young lady, I have spent forty design.""
Richard opened a folder.
"Your mother's name was Elena Carter, wasn't it?""
"Yes.""
"Then you should understand why this is complicated.""
"No. I understand why you want everyone to believe it is.""
One of the committee members looked up sharply.
Richard's smile thinned.
"Young lady, I have spent forty years building a respected fashion house. I won't allow an unverified years building a respected fashion house. I won't allow an unverified claim to damage my company's reputation claim to damage my company's reputation.""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Then you should have no.""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Then you should have no objection to a proper examination of the original records.""
Richard turned toward him.
"Adrian, this is not the time to revisit an old disagreement.""
"You brought the disagreement here.""
"I brought a legal claim supported by a signed document.""
"A document whose authenticity has not been established.""
Richard tapped the paper with one finger.
"Your former collaborator signed objection to a proper examination of the original records.""
Richard turned toward him.
"Adrian, this is not the time to revisit an old disagreement.""
"You brought the disagreement here.""
"I brought a legal claim supported by a signed document.""
"A document whose authenticity has not been established.""
Richard tapped the paper with one finger.
"Your former collaborator signed away her rights. That's the end of it.""
Margaret slid a second document across the table.
"Mr. Laurent, do you recognize this handwriting?""
He glanced down.
"Not particularly.""
"It's from Elena's original sketchbook. The book was preserved in her personal belongings and contains the earliest known version of the Crimson Promise.""
Richard barely looked at it.
"Sketches do not override signed contracts.""
"No," Margaret away her rights. That's the end of it.""
Margaret slid a second document across the table.
"Mr. Laurent, do you recognize this handwriting?""
He glanced down.
"Not particularly.""
"It's from Elena's original sketchbook. The book was preserved in her personal belongings and contains the earliest known version of the Crimson Promise.""
Richard barely looked at it.
"Sketches do not override signed contracts.""
"No," Margaret replied.
"But the dates, construction notes, and original pattern references may help establish the chronology of the work.""
replied.
"But the dates, construction notes, and original pattern references may help establish the chronology of the work.""
Richard closed his folder.
"I won't sit here while you turn a fashion competition into a courtroom.""
I stepped closer to the table.
"Richard closed his folder.
"I won't sit here while you turn a fashion competition into a courtroom.""
I stepped closer to the table.
"Then answer one question.""
He looked at me.
"Did you knowThen answer one question.""
He looked at me.
"Did you know my mother?""
A silence fell over the room.
Richard adjusted his cuff.
"I met Elena Carter professionally.""
my mother?""
A silence fell over the room.
Richard adjusted his cuff.
"I met Elena Carter professionally.""
"Did you work with her on the Crimson Promise?""
"I worked with many designers.""
"Did she create that"Did you work with her on the Crimson Promise?""
"I worked with many designers.""
"Did she create that dress?""
His eyes hardened.
"That is precisely what the disputed dress?""
His eyes hardened.
"That is precisely what the disputed documents are intended to establish.""
"That's not an answer.""
"Nia," Adrian warned gently documents are intended to establish.""
"That's not an answer.""
"Nia," Adrian warned gently.
But I couldn't stop.
"Did my mother create the dress, Mr. Laurent?""
Richard.
But I couldn't stop.
"Did my mother create the dress, Mr. Laurent?""
Richard stood.
"Your mother was a talented seamstress who struggled to distinguish inspiration from stood.
"Your mother was a talented seamstress who struggled to distinguish inspiration from ownership. I understand that you want to believe she was wronged, but sentiment is not evidence.""
The words struck ownership. I understand that you want to believe she was wronged, but sentiment is not evidence.""
The words struck harder than I expected.
For a moment, I was seventeen again, standing in my bedroom while Vanessa told harder than I expected.
For a moment, I was seventeen again, standing in my bedroom while Vanessa told me that my work was worthless.
Then I remembered the thousands of stitches in my me that my work was worthless.
Then I remembered the thousands of stitches in my gown.
The nights I'd gown.
The nights I'd spent repairing seams.
The sketchbook my mother had hidden.
And the note she'd written to Adrian.
I lifted my chin.
"You're right about one thing. Sentiment isn't evidence.""
I opened my portfolio and placed it on the table.
"These are my original construction notes spent repairing seams.
The sketchbook my mother had hidden.
And the note she'd written to Adrian.
I lifted my chin.
"You're right about one thing. Sentiment isn't evidence.""
I opened my portfolio and placed it on the table.
"These are my original construction notes. These are photographs showing the gown at every stage of production. These are the sketches I. These are photographs showing the gown at every stage of production.
These are the sketches I made before cutting the fabric. And these are the messages from my stepsister admitting that she took my first dress made before cutting the fabric. And these are the messages from my stepsister admitting that she took my first dress and intended to claim it as her own.""
B and intended to claim it as her own.""
Brianna, who had been standing near the door, went pale.
Richard glanced at the documents.
"They establish that you made this particular garment. They do not establish that the underlying design belongs to your family.""
"Then let's examine the original records.""
Adrian nodded.
"Exactly.""
Richard looked at the committee members.
"I will not authorize access to Maison Laurent's private archive based on a teenager's allegations.""
"You don't need to authorize anything," Adrian replied.
"The archive reference is in Elena's own records. The committee can request the relevant materials through the appropriate legal channels.""
Richard's face changed.
Only for arianna, who had been standing near the door, went pale.
Richard glanced at the documents.
"They establish that you made this particular garment. They do not establish that the underlying design belongs to your family.""
"Then let's examine the original records.""
Adrian nodded.
"Exactly.""
Richard looked at the committee members.
"I will not authorize access to Maison Laurent's private archive based on a teenager's allegations.""
"You don't need to authorize anything," Adrian replied.
"The archive reference is in Elena's own records. The committee can request the relevant materials through the appropriate legal channels.""
Richard's face changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
He knew something was in that archive.
And he didn't second.
But I saw it.
He knew something was in that archive.
And he didn't want anyone looking.
The committee chair, a woman named Patricia Wells, folded her want anyone looking.
The committee chair, a woman named Patricia Wells, folded her hands.
"We will not make a final ownership determination today. However, we will allow Miss Carter to hands.
"We will not make a final ownership determination today. However, we will allow Miss Carter to proceed with the runway presentation while the dispute is investigated. Her entry will be judged on its creative merit proceed with the runway presentation while the dispute is investigated. Her entry will be judged on its creative merit, with any prize subject to the competition's rules and the resolution, with any prize subject to the competition's rules and the resolution of the complaint.""
Richard rose abruptly.
"This is a mistake.""
Patricia met his gaze.
"Then of the complaint.""
Richard rose abruptly.
"This is a mistake.""
Patricia met his gaze.
"Then the evidence will speak for itself.""
He gathered his papers.
As he passed me, he stopped.
the evidence will speak for itself.""
He gathered his papers.
As he passed me, he stopped.
"You have no idea what your mother left behind.""
I looked straight at him.
"Then why"You have no idea what your mother left behind.""
I looked straight at him.
"Then why are you so afraid of me finding it?""
His jaw tightened.
He walked out without are you so afraid of me finding it?""
His jaw tightened.
He walked out without answering.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Adrian placed a hand on the back of answering.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Adrian placed a hand on the back of a chair.
"That was brave.""
"It wasn't bravery. I was angry.""
a chair.
"That was brave.""
"It wasn't bravery. I was angry.""
"Sometimes they're difficult to tell apart.""
I almost smiled.
Then I remembered Brianna.
She stood"Sometimes they're difficult to tell apart.""
I almost smiled.
Then I remembered Brianna.
She stood by the doorway, staring at the floor.
I approached her.
"How long have you known Richard Laurent?""
She looked by the doorway, staring at the floor.
I approached her.
"How long have you known Richard Laurent?""
She looked up sharply.
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
"Vanessa brought you to up sharply.
"I don't know what you're talking about.""
"Vanessa brought you to him. You were whispering to him before I arrived.""
"Mom knows him. You were whispering to him before I arrived.""
"Mom knows people.""
"Does she know him from the company, or from something that people.""
"Does she know him from the company, or from something that happened to my mother?""
Brianna's face tightened.
"Your mother has nothing to happened to my mother?""
Brianna's face tightened.
"Your mother has nothing to do with this.""
"Then why does Richard keep talking about her?""
She looked toward the hallway.
"Because he wants do with this.""
"Then why does Richard keep talking about her?""
She looked toward the hallway.
"Because he wants you to believe you're special.""
I studied her face.
For the first time, I noticed something beneath her usual arrogance.
Fear.
" you to believe you're special.""
I studied her face.
For the first time, I noticed something beneath her usual arrogance.
Fear.
"Did Vanessa tell you to take my blue dress?""
Brianna folded her arms.
"You made itDid Vanessa tell you to take my blue dress?""
Brianna folded her arms.
"You made it for the competition. I thought you owed the family something after everything we've done for you.""
"You for the competition. I thought you owed the family something after everything we've done for you.""
"You slapped me with the hanger still in your hands.""
" slapped me with the hanger still in your hands.""
"Mom slapped you!""
"And you took the dress.""
Her eyes flashed.
"Because I wanted to win!""
TheMom slapped you!""
"And you took the dress.""
Her eyes flashed.
"Because I wanted to win!""
The admission burst out of her before she could stop it.
We both froze.
I lowered admission burst out of her before she could stop it.
We both froze.
I lowered my voice.
"Why?""
She looked away.
"Because if I don't win something important this year my voice.
"Why?""
She looked away.
"Because if I don't win something important this year, I'm going to lose everything.""
"What does that mean?""
She shook her head.
"Forget it.""
"No., I'm going to lose everything.""
"What does that mean?""
She shook her head.
"Forget it.""
"No. Tell me.""
Brianna glanced toward the corridor where Vanessa had disappeared.
Then she leaned close.
"Mom promised Richard Tell me.""
Brianna glanced toward the corridor where Vanessa had disappeared.
Then she leaned close.
"Mom promised Richard something. If I win tonight wearing your blue something. If I win tonight wearing your blue gown, Maison Laurent will give her the money she needs to pay off her debts gown, Maison Laurent will give her the money she needs to pay off her debts.""
I stared at her.
"She sold my dress?""
"She.""
I stared at her.
"She sold my dress?""
"She said it was a business arrangement.""
"She stole my work to pay her debts?""
Brianna said it was a business arrangement.""
"She stole my work to pay her debts?""
Brianna's eyes filled with angry tears.
"You think you're the only one who has problems? Dad's business is failing.''s eyes filled with angry tears.
"You think you're the only one who has problems? Dad's business is failing. Mom owes money to people she can't pay.
Richard said winning the competition Mom owes money to people she can't pay. Richard said winning the competition would make everything easier.""
"By pretending you designed my dress?""
"I didn't know it would would make everything easier.""
"By pretending you designed my dress?""
"I didn't know it would get this bad!""
"You knew enough to take it.""
She flinched.
For one moment get this bad!""
"You knew enough to take it.""
She flinched.
For one moment, I thought she might apologize.
Instead, she straightened her shoulders.
"Don't pretend you're better, I thought she might apologize.
Instead, she straightened her shoulders.
"Don't pretend you're better than me, Nia. You're always acting like you're the only person who has ever suffered than me, Nia. You're always acting like you're the only person who has ever suffered.""
Then she walked away.
I watched her disappear into the crowd.
I should have.""
Then she walked away.
I watched her disappear into the crowd.
I should have felt victorious.
Instead, I felt sick.
My stepmother had used my work to settle her debts. Richard Laurent felt victorious.
Instead, I felt sick.
My stepmother had used my work to settle her debts. Richard Laurent had turned my mother's legacy into a weapon. And Brianna, desperate to escape the consequences of her own choices had turned my mother's legacy into a weapon. And Brianna, desperate to escape the consequences of her own choices, had helped them both.
Daniel returned with an update.
"The archive request has been submitted., had helped them both.
Daniel returned with an update.
"The archive request has been submitted. The committee's legal team is contacting the storage facility now.""
"How long will it take?""
"Possibly days.""
The committee's legal team is contacting the storage facility now.""
"How long will it take?""
"Possibly days.""
I looked toward the runway.
"I don't have days. I have a presentation in twenty minutes.""
AdrianI looked toward the runway.
"I don't have days. I have a presentation in twenty minutes.""
Adrian approached, holding a small black box.
"Then tonight, we let them see the dress.""
He opened the approached, holding a small black box.
"Then tonight, we let them see the dress.""
He opened the box.
Inside lay a single ruby-colored crystal, old and slightly cloudy, with a tiny three-point box.
Inside lay a single ruby-colored crystal, old and slightly cloudy, with a tiny three-pointed star etched into its surface.
I stared at it.
"Where did you get that?""
"It belonged to your mothered star etched into its surface.
I stared at it.
"Where did you get that?""
"It belonged to your mother. She gave it to me the last time we met.""
He placed. She gave it to me the last time we met.""
He placed it in my palm.
"She told me that one day, the right person would understand why it mattered.""
I looked at it in my palm.
"She told me that one day, the right person would understand why it mattered.""
I looked at the crystal.
The symbol was identical to the one I'd stitched into my gown.
"Why the crystal.
The symbol was identical to the one I'd stitched into my gown.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?""
"Because I wasn't sure you were ready to hear the whole didn't you tell me earlier?""
"Because I wasn't sure you were ready to hear the whole story.""
I closed my fingers around it.
"What whole story?""
Adrian looked toward the closed conference story.""
I closed my fingers around it.
"What whole story?""
Adrian looked toward the closed conference-room door.
"Elena didn't just design the Crimson Promise, N-room door.
"Elena didn't just design the Crimson Promise, Nia. She created a method that made it impossible to reproduce her crystal patterns accuratelyia. She created a method that made it impossible to reproduce her crystal patterns accurately without the original master template.""
I stared at him.
"Then how did Richard get the design?""
without the original master template.""
I stared at him.
"Then how did Richard get the design?""
His expression darkened.
"Because someone gave him access to the original.""
"Who?""
Before he could answer, DanielHis expression darkened.
"Because someone gave him access to the original.""
"Who?""
Before he could answer, Daniel hurried into the room.
"We've got a problem. The archive facility found the hurried into the room.
"We've got a problem. The archive facility found the box associated with Elena's reference number.""
My heart leaped.
"What's inside box associated with Elena's reference number.""
My heart leaped.
"What's inside?""
Daniel looked at Adrian.
"Nothing. The box is empty.""
He paused?""
Daniel looked at Adrian.
"Nothing. The box is empty.""
He paused.
"But the inventory records show it was opened three weeks ago.""
Adrian went completely still.
"But the inventory records show it was opened three weeks ago.""
Adrian went completely still.
Three weeks ago.
The same week Vanessa had borrowed my laptop.
The same week Brianna had begun demanding.
Three weeks ago.
The same week Vanessa had borrowed my laptop.
The same week Brianna had begun demanding my blue dress.
And the same week someone had accessed my mother's old records.
my blue dress.
And the same week someone had accessed my mother's old records.
Daniel continued.
"The person who signed the release form used a name we recognizeDaniel continued.
"The person who signed the release form used a name we recognize.""
He placed a photocopy on the table.
I looked down.
The signature belonged to.""
He placed a photocopy on the table.
I looked down.
The signature belonged to Vanessa Carter.
But beneath it, in the section marked *Authorized Recipient Vanessa Carter.
But beneath it, in the section marked Authorized Recipient, was another name.
*Elena Carter.*
My mother had supposedly died seventeen years ago.
Yet someone had used her*, was another name.
*Elena Carter.*
My mother had supposedly died seventeen years ago.
Yet someone had used her identity to remove the last surviving evidence of her greatest design.
May you like
And if that identity to remove the last surviving evidence of her greatest design.
And if that box had contained the truth, whoever took it had known exactly what they box had contained the truth, whoever took it had known exactly what they were looking for.
