Chapter 8: The Signature That Shouldn't Exist
For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything except the blood rushing in my ears.
Vanessa had signed for the archive box.
But she'd, I couldn't hear anything except the blood rushing in my ears.
Vanessa had signed for the archive box.
But she'd done it using my mother's name.
"How is that possible?"" I asked.
Daniel placed the done it using my mother's name.
"How is that possible?"" I asked.
Daniel placed the photocopy beside the photograph of my mother.
"The storage facility uses a legacy authorization system. The original photocopy beside the photograph of my mother.
"The storage facility uses a legacy authorization system. The original records were created before the company changed ownership. Someone apparently presented documentation that convinced the clerk records were created before the company changed ownership. Someone apparently presented documentation that convinced the clerk they had permission to collect the box.""
"Did they check identification?""
"They claim they they had permission to collect the box.""
"Did they check identification?""
"They claim they did.""
"Then whose identification did Vanessa use?""
Adrian did.""
"Then whose identification did Vanessa use?""
Adrian took the paper.
"That is what our legal team will investigate.""
I stared took the paper.
"That is what our legal team will investigate.""
I stared at the signature.
It looked disturbingly convincing.
My mother's name had been written in the same elegant style I'd seen at the signature.
It looked disturbingly convincing.
My mother's name had been written in the same elegant style I'd seen throughout her sketchbook. The first letter of Elena was long and graceful, and the final stroke throughout her sketchbook. The first letter of Elena was long and graceful, and the final stroke of Carter curved beneath the surname.
But there was something wrong with it of Carter curved beneath the surname.
But there was something wrong with it.
I leaned closer.
"Wait.""
Margaret looked up.
"What is it?""
I pointed to.
I leaned closer.
"Wait.""
Margaret looked up.
"What is it?""
I pointed to the signature.
"My mother never wrote her name like that.""
Adrian studied the page.
the signature.
"My mother never wrote her name like that.""
Adrian studied the page.
"What do you mean?""
"She changed her signature after I was born. She used to sign Elena Carter,"What do you mean?""
"She changed her signature after I was born. She used to sign Elena Carter, but after I came along, she started adding a tiny star at the end. She said it but after I came along, she started adding a tiny star at the end. She said it was our family's lucky mark.""
I pulled the sketchbook from its protective was our family's lucky mark.""
I pulled the sketchbook from its protective case and opened it to the note she'd written for Adrian.
There it was.
A tiny case and opened it to the note she'd written for Adrian.
There it was.
A tiny star after her name.
The signature on the release form had no star.
Margaret leaned over the documents.
star after her name.
The signature on the release form had no star.
Margaret leaned over the documents.
"That's worth documenting, but it won't establish forgery by itself. Signatures"That's worth documenting, but it won't establish forgery by itself. Signatures can vary.""
"I know. But there's something else.""
I turned to a page where my mother had written several measurements beside a dress pattern.
She had drawn a small star after can vary.""
"I know. But there's something else.""
I turned to a page where my mother had written several measurements beside a dress pattern.
She had drawn a small star after her name, then crossed it out and rewritten it.
"She always corrected the points her name, then crossed it out and rewritten it.
"She always corrected the points if they weren't symmetrical," I explained.
"She said an uneven star was bad luck if they weren't symmetrical," I explained.
"She said an uneven star was bad luck.""
I placed the two documents side by side.
The star on the sketchbook was perfectly balanced.
.""
I placed the two documents side by side.
The star on the sketchbook was perfectly balanced.
The one on the archive form, though absent from the signature itself, appeared as aThe one on the archive form, though absent from the signature itself, appeared as a faint mark beside the date.
It was uneven.
Almost as if someone had tried to copy it and given faint mark beside the date.
It was uneven.
Almost as if someone had tried to copy it and given up.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"That's interesting.""
"It's not proof," Margaret cautioned up.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"That's interesting.""
"It's not proof," Margaret cautioned.
"But it is a lead.""
I looked at the clock.
"Can we.
"But it is a lead.""
I looked at the clock.
"Can we stop the competition and get the original records first?""
Patricia Wells, the committee chair, had joined us. She shook her head.
"The runway presentation cannot be delayed indefinitely stop the competition and get the original records first?""
Patricia Wells, the committee chair, had joined us. She shook her head.
"The runway presentation cannot be delayed indefinitely. Your entry will proceed, Miss Carter. If new evidence emerges, the committee will consider it.""
"Even if. Your entry will proceed, Miss Carter. If new evidence emerges, the committee will consider it.""
"Even if Richard Laurent is using a false document to disqualify me?""
"We cannot determine that tonight. Richard Laurent is using a false document to disqualify me?""
"We cannot determine that tonight. But you have the right to present your work.""
I swallowed.
"Then I want the judges But you have the right to present your work.""
I swallowed.
"Then I want the judges to see everything.""
Patricia studied me.
"Your design, your process, and the evidence supporting to see everything.""
Patricia studied me.
"Your design, your process, and the evidence supporting your authorship?""
"Yes.""
She nodded.
"Prepare your presentation. We will allow you an additional your authorship?""
"Yes.""
She nodded.
"Prepare your presentation. We will allow you an additional two minutes to explain the disputed history.""
Two minutes.
Seventeen years of secrets, reduced two minutes to explain the disputed history.""
Two minutes.
Seventeen years of secrets, reduced to two minutes before an audience of hundreds.
I almost laughed.
But I had no time to two minutes before an audience of hundreds.
I almost laughed.
But I had no time to be afraid.
Backstage, contestants hurried between clothing racks to be afraid.
Backstage, contestants hurried between clothing racks and makeup stations. Assistants carried steamers, photographers adjusted lenses, and models practiced their and makeup stations. Assistants carried steamers, photographers adjusted lenses, and models practiced their turns on the narrow rehearsal runway.
I hung my gown carefully and sat beside it.
turns on the narrow rehearsal runway.
I hung my gown carefully and sat beside it.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Vanessa.
*Vanessa:* Withdraw now. You have no idea what you're doingMy phone buzzed.
A message from Vanessa.
*Vanessa:* Withdraw now. You have no idea what you're doing.
I stared at it.
Another message arrived.
*Vanessa:* If you continue, you will destroy this family.
I typed a.
I stared at it.
Another message arrived.
*Vanessa:* If you continue, you will destroy this family.
I typed a reply.
*Nia:* You destroyed it when you decided my work belonged to reply.
*Nia:* You destroyed it when you decided my work belonged to you.
I pressed Send.
For once, I didn't wait for her response.
you.
I pressed Send.
For once, I didn't wait for her response.
A few minutes later, Brianna entered the dressing room.
She had changed out of my blue gown and into aA few minutes later, Brianna entered the dressing room.
She had changed out of my blue gown and into a simple black dress. Her makeup was smudged around her eyes, and she looked younger than simple black dress. Her makeup was smudged around her eyes, and she looked younger than she had that morning.
"Nia.""
I kept fastening the clasp at the she had that morning.
"Nia.""
I kept fastening the clasp at the back of my gown.
"What?""
"Mom wants you to withdraw.""
back of my gown.
"What?""
"Mom wants you to withdraw.""
"I know.""
"She says Richard can make the legal problems"I know.""
"She says Richard can make the legal problems go away if you stop.""
I turned toward her.
"Does he go away if you stop.""
I turned toward her.
"Does he know you've admitted that she stole my dress?""
Brianna went pale.
"You wouldn't tell know you've admitted that she stole my dress?""
Brianna went pale.
"You wouldn't tell them.""
"You stole my work, Brianna. You lied about it. You watched your mother them.""
"You stole my work, Brianna. You lied about it. You watched your mother hit me and then walked away wearing my dress.""
Her chin trembled.
"I didn't hit me and then walked away wearing my dress.""
Her chin trembled.
"I didn't think it would go this far.""
"You thought you'd win.""
She looked down.
"Yes think it would go this far.""
"You thought you'd win.""
She looked down.
"Yes.""
The honesty caught me off guard.
For the first time, she wasn't trying to excuse herself.
She.""
The honesty caught me off guard.
For the first time, she wasn't trying to excuse herself.
She was simply admitting what she'd done.
"I wanted to be somebody," she whispered.
" was simply admitting what she'd done.
"I wanted to be somebody," she whispered.
"Everyone always talks about your talent. Dad talks about how much you remind him of your motherEveryone always talks about your talent. Dad talks about how much you remind him of your mother.
Teachers tell you that you're special. I wanted one thing that was mine.""
"So you. Teachers tell you that you're special. I wanted one thing that was mine.""
"So you took something that was mine.""
"I know.""
I studied her face.
"Why did took something that was mine.""
"I know.""
I studied her face.
"Why did Richard offer to pay Vanessa's debts?""
Brianna rubbed her palms against her Richard offer to pay Vanessa's debts?""
Brianna rubbed her palms against her dress.
"Because Mom had signed an agreement with him. She was supposed to deliver your blue gown and make dress.
"Because Mom had signed an agreement with him. She was supposed to deliver your blue gown and make sure you didn't compete.""
"Why?""
"Richard said your red design could sure you didn't compete.""
"Why?""
"Richard said your red design could cause problems for Maison Laurent. He'd seen photographs of it.""
My cause problems for Maison Laurent. He'd seen photographs of it.""
My stomach tightened.
"How?""
Brianna hesitated.
Then she reached into her purse and pulled stomach tightened.
"How?""
Brianna hesitated.
Then she reached into her purse and pulled out a folded sheet of paper.
It was a photograph of my red gown, taken through my bedroom window.
The date printed out a folded sheet of paper.
It was a photograph of my red gown, taken through my bedroom window.
The date printed on the back was four days earlier.
Someone had been watching me work.
"I found it in Mom's on the back was four days earlier.
Someone had been watching me work.
"I found it in Mom's office," Brianna said.
"I don't know who took it.""
I stared at the image.
The gown office," Brianna said.
"I don't know who took it.""
I stared at the image.
The gown was still unfinished, the bodice pinned to the dress form, the train spread was still unfinished, the bodice pinned to the dress form, the train spread across my bedroom floor.
At the bottom of the photograph, someone had written a note.
**CONFIRM PATTERN across my bedroom floor.
At the bottom of the photograph, someone had written a note.
*CONFIRM PATTERN MATCH BEFORE FINAL PRESENTATION.*
I looked up.
"Did you take this?""
"No MATCH BEFORE FINAL PRESENTATION.**
I looked up.
"Did you take this?""
"No.""
"Then why are you giving it to me?""
Brianna's eyes filled.
"Because I don't want.""
"Then why are you giving it to me?""
Brianna's eyes filled.
"Because I don't want Richard to get away with it.""
I wanted to believe her.
But trust wasn't something I could Richard to get away with it.""
I wanted to believe her.
But trust wasn't something I could hand over simply because someone had finally become afraid of the consequences.
"Give hand over simply because someone had finally become afraid of the consequences.
"Give the photograph to Daniel," I said.
"Tell him everything you know.""
"Will the photograph to Daniel," I said.
"Tell him everything you know.""
"Will you forgive me?""
I looked at the blue dress hanging in the adjacent rack, still damaged from Bri you forgive me?""
I looked at the blue dress hanging in the adjacent rack, still damaged from Brianna's alterations.
"No.""
She flinched.
"But I won't stop you from telling the truth.""
Brianna nodded slowlyanna's alterations.
"No.""
She flinched.
"But I won't stop you from telling the truth.""
Brianna nodded slowly.
Then she walked out.
I watched her leave, wondering whether she would finally do something right.
Then she walked out.
I watched her leave, wondering whether she would finally do something right when it mattered.
The lights dimmed.
A host stepped onto the stage and welcomed the when it mattered.
The lights dimmed.
A host stepped onto the stage and welcomed the audience to the Young American Couture Competition.
The runway was a long strip of polished black flooring, bordered by audience to the Young American Couture Competition.
The runway was a long strip of polished black flooring, bordered by rows of judges and guests. Cameras flashed as the first contestant emerged in a silver gown covered rows of judges and guests. Cameras flashed as the first contestant emerged in a silver gown covered with delicate metallic embroidery.
One by one, the designers presented their work.
I waited behind the with delicate metallic embroidery.
One by one, the designers presented their work.
I waited behind the curtain, my palms damp.
Adrian stood several feet away, watching the runway with an expression curtain, my palms damp.
Adrian stood several feet away, watching the runway with an expression I couldn't read.
When my name was announced, I took a breath.
"Nia Carter, presenting her original creation, I couldn't read.
When my name was announced, I took a breath.
"Nia Carter, presenting her original creation, Crimson Promise.""
The music began.
I stepped onto the runway.
For one terrifying second, I could see every face in Crimson Promise.""
The music began.
I stepped onto the runway.
For one terrifying second, I could see every face in the auditorium.
Then the spotlights struck the crystals.
The gown came alive.
Ruby-colored stones scattered light the auditorium.
Then the spotlights struck the crystals.
The gown came alive.
Ruby-colored stones scattered light across the dark walls. The satin panels caught the glow of the stage, while the velvet bodice across the dark walls. The satin panels caught the glow of the stage, while the velvet bodice held the silhouette in place. When I turned, the train swept behind me like a river of red silk.
The audience fell held the silhouette in place. When I turned, the train swept behind me like a river of red silk.
The audience fell silent.
I reached the end of the runway and turned toward the judges.
Patricia Wells rose.
"Miss Carter, silent.
I reached the end of the runway and turned toward the judges.
Patricia Wells rose.
"Miss Carter, before we consider your design, would you like to address the ownership dispute?""
I stepped toward the before we consider your design, would you like to address the ownership dispute?""
I stepped toward the microphone.
"Yes.""
I looked at the audience.
"My name is Nia Carter. I made this gown using salvaged microphone.
"Yes.""
I looked at the audience.
"My name is Nia Carter. I made this gown using salvaged silk, secondhand velvet, and glass crystals. I documented every stage of its construction because I couldn't afford to waste materials.""
silk, secondhand velvet, and glass crystals. I documented every stage of its construction because I couldn't afford to waste materials.""
A few people smiled.
I continued.
"The design was inspired by a sketch in myA few people smiled.
I continued.
"The design was inspired by a sketch in my late mother's notebook. I did not know, when I began making it, that she had late mother's notebook. I did not know, when I began making it, that she had created a similar design seventeen years ago.""
I held up a copy of the sketch.
"Her name created a similar design seventeen years ago.""
I held up a copy of the sketch.
"Her name was Elena Carter. She was a designer whose work appears to have been misattributed to another fashion house. I believe the was Elena Carter.
She was a designer whose work appears to have been misattributed to another fashion house. I believe the records supporting her original authorship have been deliberately concealed.""
records supporting her original authorship have been deliberately concealed.""
A murmur spread through the audience.
I looked toward Richard Laurent.
He sat rigidly, his fingers lockedA murmur spread through the audience.
I looked toward Richard Laurent.
He sat rigidly, his fingers locked around the arms of his chair.
"I'm not asking you to take my word for it," around the arms of his chair.
"I'm not asking you to take my word for it," I said.
"I'm asking you to examine the evidence.""
Then I placed the photograph of my mother beside I said.
"I'm asking you to examine the evidence.""
Then I placed the photograph of my mother beside the sketch.
the sketch.
"Because if this gown belongs to anyone, it belongs to the woman who designed it before I was born.""
For a moment, the auditorium remained silent.
Then someone applauded.
Another person joined.
Within seconds, the room filled with applause.
I stood beneath the lights, blinking back tears.
Not because I'd won.
But because, for the first time,"Because if this gown belongs to anyone, it belongs to the woman who designed it before I was born.""
For a moment, the auditorium remained silent.
Then someone applauded.
Another person joined.
Within seconds, the room filled with applause.
I stood beneath the lights, blinking back tears.
Not because I'd won.
But because, for the first time, hundreds of people had heard my mother's name without anyone dismissing it.
Patricia nodded toward the hundreds of people had heard my mother's name without anyone dismissing it.
Patricia nodded toward the judges.
"Thank you, Miss Carter. We will review your evidence alongside the other submissions.""
I stepped judges.
"Thank you, Miss Carter. We will review your evidence alongside the other submissions.""
I stepped away from the microphone.
Then Richard Laurent stood.
"I must object.""
The applause faded.
He walked toward the away from the microphone.
Then Richard Laurent stood.
"I must object.""
The applause faded.
He walked toward the stage, carrying a document.
"This presentation has crossed the line between fashion stage, carrying a document.
"This presentation has crossed the line between fashion and a personal dispute. Maison Laurent has provided signed proof that and a personal dispute. Maison Laurent has provided signed proof that Elena Carter transferred ownership of the Crimson Promise design to our company.""
He held up the paper.
"The original design belongs to us. Miss Carter's gown is an unauthorized reproduction.""
A wave of whispers moved through the audience.
Patricia looked at the document.
"Mr. Laurent, the committee has not verified the authenticity of this agreement.""
"The signature is genuine.""
"No independent examination has been completed.""
Richard turned toward the audience.
"Are we now expected to accept any emotional story presented on a stage as fact?""
I felt the old Elena Carter transferred ownership of the Crimson Promise design to our company.""
He held up the paper.
"The original design belongs to us. Miss Carter's gown is an unauthorized reproduction.""
A wave of whispers moved through the audience.
Patricia looked at the document.
"Mr. Laurent, the committee has not verified the authenticity of this agreement.""
"The signature is genuine.""
"No independent examination has been completed.""
Richard turned toward the audience.
"Are we now expected to accept any emotional story presented on a stage as fact?""
I felt the old shame rise inside me.
The same shame Vanessa had used to silence me.
Then I shame rise inside me.
The same shame Vanessa had used to silence me.
Then I heard Brianna's voice from the side of the stage.
"That's not the original document.""
heard Brianna's voice from the side of the stage.
"That's not the original document.""
Everyone turned.
Brianna stood beside Daniel, holding her phone.
Richard stared atEveryone turned.
Brianna stood beside Daniel, holding her phone.
Richard stared at her.
"What did you say?""
Brianna swallowed hard.
"The document you're holding isn't the her.
"What did you say?""
Brianna swallowed hard.
"The document you're holding isn't the one Mom signed.""
Vanessa rose from her seat.
"Brianna, sit down!""
But Brianna stepped forward one Mom signed.""
Vanessa rose from her seat.
"Brianna, sit down!""
But Brianna stepped forward.
"I saw the original agreement in Richard's office. The date was different. And the signature page wasn't.
"I saw the original agreement in Richard's office. The date was different. And the signature page wasn't attached to the same contract.""
Richard's face darkened.
"You're confused.""
attached to the same contract.""
Richard's face darkened.
"You're confused.""
"No, I'm not.""
Brianna lifted her phone.
"I took pictures of the papers before Mom told me"No, I'm not.""
Brianna lifted her phone.
"I took pictures of the papers before Mom told me to delete them.""
Vanessa began moving toward her.
Daniel stepped between them.
Brianna looked at me, tears running down her face.
"I'm to delete them.""
Vanessa began moving toward her.
Daniel stepped between them.
Brianna looked at me, tears running down her face.
"I'm sorry, Nia.""
Then she turned toward the judges.
"And I have proof that Richard Laurent sorry, Nia.""
Then she turned toward the judges.
"And I have proof that Richard Laurent knew the design belonged to Elena Carter.""
She held up the phone.
"But there's something knew the design belonged to Elena Carter.""
She held up the phone.
"But there's something else in those photographs.""
Her voice broke.
"Something that proves my mother wasn't the only person else in those photographs.""
Her voice broke.
"Something that proves my mother wasn't the only person helping him.""
She looked directly at my father, who had just helping him.""
She looked directly at my father, who had just entered the auditorium.
And the moment he saw the photograph on her screen, he stopped walking.
Because the entered the auditorium.
May you like
And the moment he saw the photograph on her screen, he stopped walking.
Because the man standing beside Richard Laurent in the original contract photograph was my father.
