Chapter 1: The Dress They Stole Wasn't My Masterpiece

My father stood beneath the auditorium lights as if someone My Father Finally Told the Truth

My father stood beneath the auditorium lights as if someone had nailed his shoes to the floor.

The photograph on Brianna's phone showed three people had nailed his shoes to the floor.

The photograph on Brianna's phone showed three people standing inside an office: Richard Laurent, Vanessa, and my father.

Behind standing inside an office: Richard Laurent, Vanessa, and my father.

Behind them was a table covered with sketches.

One of the sketches was unmistak them was a table covered with sketches.

One of the sketches was unmistakable.

The Crimson Promise.

I looked at my father.

He wouldn't meet my eyes.

"able.

The Crimson Promise.

I looked at my father.

He wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Tell me that's not what it looks like," I whispered.

He opened his mouth, thenTell me that's not what it looks like," I whispered.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Richard moved quickly.

"This is an absurd misunderstanding closed it again.

Richard moved quickly.

"This is an absurd misunderstanding. Mr. Carter was an accountant who worked with several firms in the industry. His.

Mr. Carter was an accountant who worked with several firms in the industry. His presence in a photograph proves nothing.""

Brianna shook her head.

"He wasn't there as an accountant.""

Vanessa presence in a photograph proves nothing.""

Brianna shook her head.

"He wasn't there as an accountant.""

Vanessa grabbed her daughter's arm.

"Stop talking.""

Brianna pulled away.

"No!""

The grabbed her daughter's arm.

"Stop talking.""

Brianna pulled away.

"No!""

The word rang through the auditorium.

For the first time, she seemed to stop caring word rang through the auditorium.

For the first time, she seemed to stop caring who was watching.

"You told me Nia was trying to ruin our family. You told me who was watching.

"You told me Nia was trying to ruin our family. You told me Richard was helping us. But you never told me why Dad was in those photographs.""

My father lowered his head.

Richard was helping us. But you never told me why Dad was in those photographs.""

My father lowered his head.

I stepped toward him.

"Dad. Why were you there?""

He looked at me.

His eyesI stepped toward him.

"Dad. Why were you there?""

He looked at me.

His eyes were wet.

"Because I made a terrible mistake.""

The auditorium grew quiet.

Richard snapped his folder were wet.

"Because I made a terrible mistake.""

The auditorium grew quiet.

Richard snapped his folder shut.

"This is a private matter. The committee should suspend the presentation shut.

"This is a private matter. The committee should suspend the presentation until these allegations can be reviewed.""

Patricia Wells stood.

"Mr. Laurent, please return to until these allegations can be reviewed.""

Patricia Wells stood.

"Mr. Laurent, please return to your seat.""

"This is damaging my company's reputation.""

"Your own statements have introduced your seat.""

"This is damaging my company's reputation.""

"Your own statements have introduced the disputed documents. We will hear the relevant testimony.""

Richard looked furious.

But he sat the disputed documents. We will hear the relevant testimony.""

Richard looked furious.

But he sat down.

My father took a shaky breath.

"Seventeen years ago, Elena discovered that someone had copied her designs and down.

My father took a shaky breath.

"Seventeen years ago, Elena discovered that someone had copied her designs and submitted them to Maison Laurent under another designer's name. She asked me to help her find out who was responsible.""

I felt my submitted them to Maison Laurent under another designer's name. She asked me to help her find out who was responsible.""

I felt my throat tighten.

"You knew my mother before she died?""

"Yes.""

throat tighten.

"You knew my mother before she died?""

"Yes.""

"You told me she worked as a seamstress.""

"She did. But she was also trying"You told me she worked as a seamstress.""

"She did. But she was also trying to build her own collection.""

"Why didn't you tell me?""

He looked at the to build her own collection.""

"Why didn't you tell me?""

He looked at the floor.

"Because I was ashamed.""

The word hung between us.

He continued.

"At floor.

"Because I was ashamed.""

The word hung between us.

He continued.

"At the time, I was working as a financial consultant for a small group of businesses. Richard Laurent the time, I was working as a financial consultant for a small group of businesses. Richard Laurent was one of my clients.

He offered me a substantial payment to help arrange the transfer of several design was one of my clients. He offered me a substantial payment to help arrange the transfer of several design rights from Elena's studio to Maison Laurent.""

I stared at him.

"You helped him steal her work?""

rights from Elena's studio to Maison Laurent.""

I stared at him.

"You helped him steal her work?""

"I didn't understand what the papers contained at first. I was told"I didn't understand what the papers contained at first. I was told Elena had agreed to sell the collection.""

"Did you ask her?""

He closed his eyes.

"No.""

Elena had agreed to sell the collection.""

"Did you ask her?""

He closed his eyes.

"No.""

My chest tightened painfully.

"Why?""

"Because the moneyMy chest tightened painfully.

"Why?""

"Because the money would have paid off our debts. Your mother and I were struggling. We had medical bills, rent, would have paid off our debts.

Your mother and I were struggling. We had medical bills, rent, and almost nothing saved. I convinced myself I was helping the family.""

"You were helping and almost nothing saved. I convinced myself I was helping the family.""

"You were helping yourself.""

He flinched.

"Yes.""

The admission made the room feel colder.

yourself.""

He flinched.

"Yes.""

The admission made the room feel colder.

I had spent years believing my father was simply too tired, too weak, too distractedI had spent years believing my father was simply too tired, too weak, too distracted to defend me.

Now I was discovering that the same weakness had once helped destroy to defend me.

Now I was discovering that the same weakness had once helped destroy my mother's future.

"What happened when she found out?"" I asked.

He looked toward the photograph.

my mother's future.

"What happened when she found out?"" I asked.

He looked toward the photograph.

"She confronted me. She said the agreement was a fraud and that Richard had"She confronted me. She said the agreement was a fraud and that Richard had used my financial records to make the transaction appear legitimate.

She demanded that I help her reverse it used my financial records to make the transaction appear legitimate. She demanded that I help her reverse it.""

"Did you?""

"I tried to withdraw my involvement. But Richard threatened to report me for fraud and expose.""

"Did you?""

"I tried to withdraw my involvement. But Richard threatened to report me for fraud and expose the financial problems in my own business. I was terrified of losing everything.""

"So you let him keep her the financial problems in my own business. I was terrified of losing everything.""

"So you let him keep her work.""

My father nodded.

"And when Elena became ill, I told myself work.""

My father nodded.

"And when Elena became ill, I told myself there was nothing I could do.""

I felt tears burn behind my eyes.

"Did there was nothing I could do.""

I felt tears burn behind my eyes.

"Did Mom know you had helped him?""

He couldn't answer.

I took a step back.

"She knew.""

He nodded once.

Mom know you had helped him?""

He couldn't answer.

I took a step back.

"She knew.""

He nodded once.

"She found the original paperwork. She knew what I'd done.""

The pieces fell into"She found the original paperwork. She knew what I'd done.""

The pieces fell into place with horrifying clarity.

My mother's note to Adrian.

Her warning about finding me.

The place with horrifying clarity.

My mother's note to Adrian.

Her warning about finding me.

The missing archive box.

The false signature.

She had spent the final missing archive box.

The false signature.

She had spent the final months of her life trying to preserve her work while the people closest to her made it months of her life trying to preserve her work while the people closest to her made it easier for someone else to take it.

"Did you love her?"" I asked.

easier for someone else to take it.

"Did you love her?"" I asked.

My father looked at me with a grief so naked that, forMy father looked at me with a grief so naked that, for a moment, I almost pitied him.

"More than anything.""

"Then why didn't you a moment, I almost pitied him.

"More than anything.""

"Then why didn't you protect her?""

He had no answer.

Vanessa stepped forward.

"That's enough. This is getting out of protect her?""

He had no answer.

Vanessa stepped forward.

"That's enough. This is getting out of control.""

I turned toward her.

"You knew, too.""

She lifted her chin.

"I knew control.""

I turned toward her.

"You knew, too.""

She lifted her chin.

"I knew your father had made an arrangement with Richard. I didn't know all the details.""

"But you used my dress to your father had made an arrangement with Richard. I didn't know all the details.""

"But you used my dress to settle your debts.""

Her expression tightened.

"Your father and I have been trying to keep this family settle your debts.""

Her expression tightened.

"Your father and I have been trying to keep this family afloat.""

"By stealing from me?""

"I was trying to protect Brianna.""

"And who was protecting me?""

Vanessa glanced toward afloat.""

"By stealing from me?""

"I was trying to protect Brianna.""

"And who was protecting me?""

Vanessa glanced toward the audience.

"You're making this sound worse than it was.""

Brianna let out the audience.

"You're making this sound worse than it was.""

Brianna let out a bitter laugh.

"You told me to take Nia's dress. You said Richard would pay us if she didn't a bitter laugh.

"You told me to take Nia's dress. You said Richard would pay us if she didn't compete.""

Vanessa's face turned white.

"Brianna!""

"You promised me the money compete.""

Vanessa's face turned white.

"Brianna!""

"You promised me the money would save the house. You said nobody would ever know.""

The auditorium erupted in whispers would save the house. You said nobody would ever know.""

The auditorium erupted in whispers.

Vanessa reached for her daughter, but Brianna stepped away.

"I'm done lying for you.""

Richard stood.

Vanessa reached for her daughter, but Brianna stepped away.

"I'm done lying for you.""

Richard stood again.

"This is outrageous. I will not allow a family argument again.

"This is outrageous. I will not allow a family argument to be used as evidence against my company.""

Adrian rose from his seat.

"Then to be used as evidence against my company.""

Adrian rose from his seat.

"Then perhaps you should explain why your legal department submitted a document bearing a signature that may be fraudulent.""

Richard turned perhaps you should explain why your legal department submitted a document bearing a signature that may be fraudulent.""

Richard turned on him.

"You have no authority to question my contracts on him.

"You have no authority to question my contracts.""

"I have every reason to question them. Elena was my collaborator,.""

"I have every reason to question them. Elena was my collaborator, and I failed to protect her once. I won't make the same mistake again.""

Adrian placed a and I failed to protect her once. I won't make the same mistake again.""

Adrian placed a folder on the table.

"Our archivist has located an electronic inventory from folder on the table.

"Our archivist has located an electronic inventory from the original Vale studio. It confirms that the Crimson Promise master pattern was cataloged under Elena Carter's name before the disputed the original Vale studio. It confirms that the Crimson Promise master pattern was cataloged under Elena Carter's name before the disputed transfer.""

Richard's face went rigid.

Adrian continued.

"We also found a letter Elena sent transfer.""

Richard's face went rigid.

Adrian continued.

"We also found a letter Elena sent to our former legal department, along with a record of her request to our former legal department, along with a record of her request to preserve the original pattern until ownership was settled.""

Patricia accepted the folder.

"This evidence will to preserve the original pattern until ownership was settled.""

Patricia accepted the folder.

"This evidence will be referred to the appropriate legal authorities. The competition will not decide the full ownership dispute be referred to the appropriate legal authorities. The competition will not decide the full ownership dispute tonight, but we can determine whether the submissions meet our eligibility rules.""

Richard looked toward the exit.

For the tonight, but we can determine whether the submissions meet our eligibility rules.""

Richard looked toward the exit.

For the first time, he seemed uncertain.

Then Brianna spoke again.

"There's one first time, he seemed uncertain.

Then Brianna spoke again.

"There's one more thing.""

She tapped her phone.

"The pictures I took show the signature page more thing.""

She tapped her phone.

"The pictures I took show the signature page Richard is holding. But they also show another document.""

She handed the phone to Richard is holding. But they also show another document.""

She handed the phone to Daniel.

He examined it, then passed it to Patricia.

I watched the committee chair's expression change Daniel.

He examined it, then passed it to Patricia.

I watched the committee chair's expression change.

"What is it?"" I asked.

Patricia looked at my father.

"It's a payment authorization.

"What is it?"" I asked.

Patricia looked at my father.

"It's a payment authorization from Maison Laurent to an account controlled by Vanessa Carter.""

Vanessa stumbled backward.

from Maison Laurent to an account controlled by Vanessa Carter.""

Vanessa stumbled backward.

Richard snapped, "That document is confidential!""

Patricia ignored him.

"The payment wasRichard snapped, "That document is confidential!""

Patricia ignored him.

"The payment was made three weeks ago.""

I stared at Vanessa.

Three weeks ago.

The same time she had accessed my email and withdrawn made three weeks ago.""

I stared at Vanessa.

Three weeks ago.

The same time she had accessed my email and withdrawn my competition entry.

The same time she had collected the archive box.

The same time someone had photographed my unfinished red gown.

my competition entry.

The same time she had collected the archive box.

The same time someone had photographed my unfinished red gown.

"How much?"" I asked.

Patricia hesitated.

Then she answered.

"Two hundred and fifty"How much?"" I asked.

Patricia hesitated.

Then she answered.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""

A shocked murmur swept across the auditorium.

I looked at Vanessa.

thousand dollars.""

A shocked murmur swept across the auditorium.

I looked at Vanessa.

"You sold my future for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?""

She shook her head frantically"You sold my future for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars?""

She shook her head frantically.

"It wasn't like that!""

"Then what was it like?""

"Richard said it was an advance..

"It wasn't like that!""

"Then what was it like?""

"Richard said it was an advance. He said the money would help us.""

"Help you do what? Steal He said the money would help us.""

"Help you do what? Steal my dress? Forge my mother's signature?""

"I didn't forge anything!""

"Then why did you use her name my dress? Forge my mother's signature?""

"I didn't forge anything!""

"Then why did you use her name to collect the archive box?""

Vanessa's mouth opened.

No sound came out.

My father looked as to collect the archive box?""

Vanessa's mouth opened.

No sound came out.

My father looked as though he'd been struck.

"You told me the money came from a business loan.""

though he'd been struck.

"You told me the money came from a business loan.""

Vanessa turned on him.

"And you believed me? After everything you've done?""

HeVanessa turned on him.

"And you believed me? After everything you've done?""

He stared at her.

"You knew what Richard was doing.""

"I knew what I had to do to keep stared at her.

"You knew what Richard was doing.""

"I knew what I had to do to keep this family together!""

"No," I said quietly.

"You knew what you had to do this family together!""

"No," I said quietly.

"You knew what you had to do to keep control.""

Vanessa looked at me with pure hatred.

"You have no idea what I've sacrificed.""

to keep control.""

Vanessa looked at me with pure hatred.

"You have no idea what I've sacrificed.""

I held her gaze.

"Neither did my mother.""

For a moment, the entire auditorium seemed to disappear.

There wasI held her gaze.

"Neither did my mother.""

For a moment, the entire auditorium seemed to disappear.

There was only Vanessa, my father's guilt, Brianna's trembling hands, and the red gown that only Vanessa, my father's guilt, Brianna's trembling hands, and the red gown that had brought all of us into the same room.

Then Patricia spoke.

had brought all of us into the same room.

Then Patricia spoke.

"The committee has reached a preliminary decision. Miss Carter's entry will remain eligible for judging. Mr.""The committee has reached a preliminary decision.

Miss Carter's entry will remain eligible for judging. Mr. Laurent's complaint will be referred for independent review, and the documents submitted tonight will be preserved as evidence.""

Richard stood abruptly.

"This is not Laurent's complaint will be referred for independent review, and the documents submitted tonight will be preserved as evidence.""

Richard stood abruptly.

"This is not over.""

Adrian faced him.

"No. It isn't.""

Two security officers approached Richard and asked him to accompany them over.""

Adrian faced him.

"No. It isn't.""

Two security officers approached Richard and asked him to accompany them to a private meeting room while the committee documented the disputed records. He protested loudly, threatening lawsuits to a private meeting room while the committee documented the disputed records. He protested loudly, threatening lawsuits and demanding to speak with his attorneys.

But nobody moved to help him.

Vanessa and demanding to speak with his attorneys.

But nobody moved to help him.

Vanessa sank into a chair.

Brianna stood beside me, crying silently.

My father sank into a chair.

Brianna stood beside me, crying silently.

My father approached.

"Nia, please.""

I looked at him.

"I don't know what you want me approached.

"Nia, please.""

I looked at him.

"I don't know what you want me to say.""

"Nothing. I just need you to know that I am sorry.""

I thought of to say.""

"Nothing. I just need you to know that I am sorry.""

I thought of every time he'd asked me to be understanding.

Every time he'd told me to keep the peace.

Every time he'd every time he'd asked me to be understanding.

Every time he'd told me to keep the peace.

Every time he'd watched me swallow my pain because confronting Vanessa would make his life more difficult.

"I believe you're sorry watched me swallow my pain because confronting Vanessa would make his life more difficult.

"I believe you're sorry," I said.

Hope flickered across his face.

"But I don't know if I can trust you.""

His," I said.

Hope flickered across his face.

"But I don't know if I can trust you.""

His expression crumpled.

I turned away before I could change my mind.

The competition resumed after a expression crumpled.

I turned away before I could change my mind.

The competition resumed after a short delay.

I returned backstage, where Mrs. Alvarez was waiting beside my short delay.

I returned backstage, where Mrs. Alvarez was waiting beside my garment bag. She'd arrived just before the presentation and had watched everything from the audience.

She garment bag. She'd arrived just before the presentation and had watched everything from the audience.

She took my hands.

"You don't have to smile for anybody tonight.""

I swallowed.

"I don't know how to took my hands.

"You don't have to smile for anybody tonight.""

I swallowed.

"I don't know how to feel.""

"Then don't decide yet.""

She gently adjusted the train of my feel.""

"Then don't decide yet.""

She gently adjusted the train of my gown.

"Just remember why you made it.""

I looked at the crystals.

For seventeen years gown.

"Just remember why you made it.""

I looked at the crystals.

For seventeen years, my mother's work had been buried beneath lies, greed, and fear.

Tonight, those lies had finally begun, my mother's work had been buried beneath lies, greed, and fear.

Tonight, those lies had finally begun to crack.

The host returned to the stage.

The judges had completed their evaluations.

The finalists gathered to crack.

The host returned to the stage.

The judges had completed their evaluations.

The finalists gathered beneath the lights.

My heart pounded as the host opened the beneath the lights.

My heart pounded as the host opened the envelope containing the results.

"And the winner of the Young American Couture Competition is...""

The room fell envelope containing the results.

"And the winner of the Young American Couture Competition is...""

The room fell silent.

I held my breath.

The host looked down at the card.

Then he looked directly at me.

"Nia silent.

I held my breath.

The host looked down at the card.

Then he looked directly at me.

"Nia Carter, for her extraordinary original creation, Crimson Promise.""

The audience rose to its feet.

Applause thundered through the Carter, for her extraordinary original creation, Crimson Promise.""

The audience rose to its feet.

Applause thundered through the auditorium.

I stood motionless, tears spilling down my face as Mrs. Alvarez covered her mouth and Adrian smiled auditorium.

I stood motionless, tears spilling down my face as Mrs. Alvarez covered her mouth and Adrian smiled from the judges' table.

For the first time, I had won something that belonged entirely to from the judges' table.

For the first time, I had won something that belonged entirely to me.

But as I stepped forward to accept the trophy, Patricia Wells approached with another envelope.

"This was me.

But as I stepped forward to accept the trophy, Patricia Wells approached with another envelope.

"This was delivered to the committee moments ago," she whispered.

"It's addressed to you.""

My name was written across the delivered to the committee moments ago," she whispered.

"It's addressed to you.""

My name was written across the front in my mother's handwriting.

I stared at it.

Then I opened the envelope.

Inside was a letter dated three days front in my mother's handwriting.

I stared at it.

Then I opened the envelope.

Inside was a letter dated three days before Elena Carter died.

The first sentence made my knees weaken.

*My darling before Elena Carter died.

The first sentence made my knees weaken.

My darling Nia, if you are reading this, it means the Crimson Promise has finally found its way home.

Nia, if you are reading this, it means the Crimson Promise has finally found its way home.*

And the final paragraph contained a truth I had never imagined.

*Your father is not the only person whoAnd the final paragraph contained a truth I had never imagined.

Your father is not the only person who knows what happened to me. There is one person who has kept the most important secret of all knows what happened to me. There is one person who has kept the most important secret of all, and that person has been standing beside you your entire life.

I lifted my eyes.

My father, and that person has been standing beside you your entire life.*

I lifted my eyes.

My father was watching me.

But the letter didn't say his name.

It named someone was watching me.

But the letter didn't say his name.

It named someone else.

Someone I had trusted.

Someone who had helped me make the dress.

Someone who had never told me else.

Someone I had trusted.