The Dress She Stole—and the Man Watching Me

The old Harrington Hotel had been closed for renovations for almost a decade.

Its grand entrance My Silence

The old Harrington Hotel had been closed for renovations for almost a decade.

Its grand entrance was hidden behind temporary fencing, and dust coated the tall windows overlooking the street. A faded was hidden behind temporary fencing, and dust coated the tall windows overlooking the street. A faded sign remained above the revolving doors, its gold lettering barely visible beneath layers of grime.

sign remained above the revolving doors, its gold lettering barely visible beneath layers of grime.

At nine forty-five the following morning, I stood across the street with Adrian and ThomasAt nine forty-five the following morning, I stood across the street with Adrian and Thomas.

I carried a small bag containing the blue ledger, my mother's letter, and copies of the original.

I carried a small bag containing the blue ledger, my mother's letter, and copies of the original design registration.

Adrian had insisted that the police be informed design registration.

Adrian had insisted that the police be informed of the meeting. Two officers were waiting nearby, out of sight from the entrance.

“Remember of the meeting. Two officers were waiting nearby, out of sight from the entrance.

“Remember,” he said, “you don't have to answer questions or hand over documents.””

“I know.””

,” he said, “you don't have to answer questions or hand over documents.””

“I know.””

“If anything feels wrong, we leave.””

I looked at the building.

“What if the“If anything feels wrong, we leave.””

I looked at the building.

“What if the person inside knows something about my mother's final days?””

“Then we listen. But we don't let them person inside knows something about my mother's final days?””

“Then we listen. But we don't let them control the situation.””

I nodded.

At ten o'clock, a black SUV pulled up beside the curb control the situation.””

I nodded.

At ten o'clock, a black SUV pulled up beside the curb.

The rear door opened.

Vanessa stepped out.

She wore a tailored gray coat, dark.

The rear door opened.

Vanessa stepped out.

She wore a tailored gray coat, dark sunglasses, and the diamond bracelet she had worn at the competition sunglasses, and the diamond bracelet she had worn at the competition. Her driver remained beside the vehicle while she approached us with a calmness that made my skin crawl.

Adrian's. Her driver remained beside the vehicle while she approached us with a calmness that made my skin crawl.

Adrian's expression hardened.

“Vanessa.””

“Adrian.””

She removed her sunglasses and looked at me.

“N expression hardened.

“Vanessa.””

“Adrian.””

She removed her sunglasses and looked at me.

“Nia. You look tired.””

I almost laughed.

“You threw me out of my home.””

“I askedia. You look tired.””

I almost laughed.

“You threw me out of my home.””

“I asked you to leave.””

“At midnight.””

Vanessa adjusted the cuff of her coat.

“And you to leave.””

“At midnight.””

Vanessa adjusted the cuff of her coat.

“And here you are, standing outside a condemned hotel with a man who has spent years trying to revive a scandal here you are, standing outside a condemned hotel with a man who has spent years trying to revive a scandal. I hope you're beginning to understand how dangerous your choices can be.””

“I'm beginning. I hope you're beginning to understand how dangerous your choices can be.””

“I'm beginning to understand how much you want me to stop asking questions.””

She smiled.

“You've always been intelligent to understand how much you want me to stop asking questions.””

She smiled.

“You've always been intelligent. It's unfortunate that you inherited your mother's stubbornness.””

I felt my fingers tighten around the strap. It's unfortunate that you inherited your mother's stubbornness.””

I felt my fingers tighten around the strap of my bag.

“Don't talk about my mother.””

“Why? Because of my bag.

“Don't talk about my mother.””

“Why? Because the truth makes you uncomfortable?””

“No. Because you keep using her name whenever you want to fright the truth makes you uncomfortable?””

“No. Because you keep using her name whenever you want to frighten me.””

Vanessa's smile faded.

Adrian stepped forward.

“Why did you access the Vale archive lasten me.””

Vanessa's smile faded.

Adrian stepped forward.

“Why did you access the Vale archive last night?””

She turned toward him.

“I am a shareholder in Whitmore Holdings. I have legitimate business interests in night?””

She turned toward him.

“I am a shareholder in Whitmore Holdings. I have legitimate business interests in the collection.””

“You accessed confidential legal documents without authorization.””

“I accessed documents related to a company in the collection.””

“You accessed confidential legal documents without authorization.””

“I accessed documents related to a company in which I have an interest.””

“Your access credentials were revoked six months ago.””

For the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely unsettled which I have an interest.””

“Your access credentials were revoked six months ago.””

For the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely unsettled.

Then she recovered.

“Perhaps your security team should be more careful.

Then she recovered.

“Perhaps your security team should be more careful with its systems.””

Adrian's expression remained cold.

“Perhaps you should be with its systems.””

Adrian's expression remained cold.

“Perhaps you should be more careful about what you leave behind.””

He showed her the access log.

She glanced more careful about what you leave behind.””

He showed her the access log.

She glanced at it and handed it back.

“This proves nothing.””

“It proves that you were searching for the amended at it and handed it back.

“This proves nothing.””

“It proves that you were searching for the amended transfer agreement.””

Vanessa looked at me.

“Have you told him about the ledger?””

“Yes,” I replied.

“ transfer agreement.””

Vanessa looked at me.

“Have you told him about the ledger?””

“Yes,” I replied.

“Then you should ask him why he waited seventeen years to tell you any of this.””

“I already did.””

“AndThen you should ask him why he waited seventeen years to tell you any of this.””

“I already did.””

“And what did he say?””

“That he was wrong.””

Vanessa laughed softly.

“How convenient. Men what did he say?””

“That he was wrong.””

Vanessa laughed softly.

“How convenient. Men like Adrian always know how to turn their mistakes into heroic confessions.””

Adrian didn't respond.

I like Adrian always know how to turn their mistakes into heroic confessions.””

Adrian didn't respond.

I stepped forward.

“What do you want?””

Vanessa reached into her handbag and withdrew a cream stepped forward.

“What do you want?””

Vanessa reached into her handbag and withdrew a cream-colored envelope.

“An arrangement.””

I didn't take it.

“What kind of-colored envelope.

“An arrangement.””

I didn't take it.

“What kind of arrangement?””

“You will sign a statement confirming that the design you entered arrangement?””

“You will sign a statement confirming that the design you entered in the competition was inspired by materials from the Whitmore collection. In exchange in the competition was inspired by materials from the Whitmore collection. In exchange, Whitmore Holdings will compensate you for your work and provide funding for your education.””

I stared at her.

“You want me to say, Whitmore Holdings will compensate you for your work and provide funding for your education.””

I stared at her.

“You want me to say I copied my own mother's design?””

“I want you to acknowledge the legal history of the collection I copied my own mother's design?””

“I want you to acknowledge the legal history of the collection.””

“My registration predates Brianna's entry.””

“Your registration establishes when you created your.””

“My registration predates Brianna's entry.””

“Your registration establishes when you created your version. It doesn't resolve every ownership question involving your mother's original designs.””

That much version. It doesn't resolve every ownership question involving your mother's original designs.””

That much was true.

And she knew it.

She was offering money because she understood that the legal dispute might be complicated was true.

And she knew it.

She was offering money because she understood that the legal dispute might be complicated, expensive, and exhausting.

She was betting that a seventeen-year-old girl with nowhere to live would choose security, expensive, and exhausting.

She was betting that a seventeen-year-old girl with nowhere to live would choose security over a fight she might not win.

“How much?”” I asked.

Vanessa's eyes brightened slightly over a fight she might not win.

“How much?”” I asked.

Vanessa's eyes brightened slightly.

“Enough to pay for Harrington School of Design, cover your living expenses, and establish.

“Enough to pay for Harrington School of Design, cover your living expenses, and establish a modest studio after graduation.””

Adrian watched me without speaking.

I looked at a modest studio after graduation.””

Adrian watched me without speaking.

I looked at the envelope.

“What do you want in return besides the statement?””

Vanessa hesitated.

“You the envelope.

“What do you want in return besides the statement?””

Vanessa hesitated.

“You will agree not to make further public accusations against Whitmore Holdings or any member of the Carter will agree not to make further public accusations against Whitmore Holdings or any member of the Carter family. You will transfer any rights you may have in the disputed designs to the company family. You will transfer any rights you may have in the disputed designs to the company.””

“And the original collection?””

“Will remain where it is.””

“Where is it?””

Her jaw.””

“And the original collection?””

“Will remain where it is.””

“Where is it?””

Her jaw tightened.

“That's not relevant to this discussion.””

“It is to me.””

Vanessa lowered tightened.

“That's not relevant to this discussion.””

“It is to me.””

Vanessa lowered her voice.

“Listen carefully, Nia. Your mother was talented, but she made enemies because her voice.

“Listen carefully, Nia. Your mother was talented, but she made enemies because she refused to compromise. She spent the last years of her life struggling to maintain a business she refused to compromise.

She spent the last years of her life struggling to maintain a business that was already finished. Do you want to spend the rest of your life repeating her that was already finished. Do you want to spend the rest of your life repeating her mistakes?””

I thought about the sewing machine in my bedroom.

The old lace.

The photographs of my mother bent mistakes?””

I thought about the sewing machine in my bedroom.

The old lace.

The photographs of my mother bent over her work.

The letter she had hidden beneath the lining of her wooden box.

“No over her work.

The letter she had hidden beneath the lining of her wooden box.

“No,” I said.

“I want to finish what she started.””

Vanessa's expression turned hard.

“,” I said.

“I want to finish what she started.””

Vanessa's expression turned hard.

“Then you'll learn what it costs.””

She opened the envelope and removed a second document.

It wasThen you'll learn what it costs.””

She opened the envelope and removed a second document.

It was a photocopy of my mother's signature on a legal agreement.

At the top, in a photocopy of my mother's signature on a legal agreement.

At the top, in bold letters, were the words Final Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights.

I stared at it.

bold letters, were the words Final Assignment of Intellectual Property Rights.

I stared at it.

“That isn't the contract Adrian showed me.””

“No. This is the agreement your mother signed before her death.””

Ad“That isn't the contract Adrian showed me.””

“No. This is the agreement your mother signed before her death.””

Adrian took the document.

His face changed as he read it.

“Where did you get this?””

“From therian took the document.

His face changed as he read it.

“Where did you get this?””

“From the Whitmore archive.””

He scanned the final page.

“This document has no witness signature.””

“It was executed Whitmore archive.””

He scanned the final page.

“This document has no witness signature.””

“It was executed under the terms of the original agreement.””

“It doesn't contain the required notarization.””

Vanessa's under the terms of the original agreement.””

“It doesn't contain the required notarization.””

Vanessa's smile returned.

“Perhaps your lawyers should examine it more carefully.””

I looked at the date.

It smile returned.

“Perhaps your lawyers should examine it more carefully.””

I looked at the date.

It was three weeks before my mother's death.

My stomach twisted.

“Did she sign this willingly?””

Vanessa turned toward me was three weeks before my mother's death.

My stomach twisted.

“Did she sign this willingly?””

Vanessa turned toward me.

“Your mother understood that her collection was a commercial asset. She knew the.

“Your mother understood that her collection was a commercial asset. She knew the company had invested money in its development.””

“That's not what I asked.””

Vanessa's expression sharpened.

“Your company had invested money in its development.””

“That's not what I asked.””

Vanessa's expression sharpened.

“Your mother was in financial trouble. She needed money. She agreed to a settlement.””

“Then why did she write mother was in financial trouble. She needed money. She agreed to a settlement.””

“Then why did she write in the ledger that she refused to surrender her designs?””

“Because people change their minds.””

“Three in the ledger that she refused to surrender her designs?””

“Because people change their minds.””

“Three weeks later?””

Vanessa said nothing.

I took a photograph of the document.

She reached weeks later?””

Vanessa said nothing.

I took a photograph of the document.

She reached for my phone.

“Don't.””

I stepped back.

“You just gave me evidence for my phone.

“Don't.””

I stepped back.

“You just gave me evidence.””

“You have no idea what that document means.””

“Then explain it.””

Vanessa's.””

“You have no idea what that document means.””

“Then explain it.””

Vanessa's composure finally cracked.

“You think this is about a dress? It isn't. Your mother created composure finally cracked.

“You think this is about a dress? It isn't. Your mother created a collection that could have been worth millions.

She was offered opportunities most designers a collection that could have been worth millions. She was offered opportunities most designers would have killed for, and she threw them away because she couldn't accept that business requires compromise.””

“And you would have killed for, and she threw them away because she couldn't accept that business requires compromise.””

“And you think stealing her work was a compromise?””

“Your father signed the original think stealing her work was a compromise?””

“Your father signed the original agreement!””

The words burst out of her.

For a moment, even the traffic agreement!””

The words burst out of her.

For a moment, even the traffic seemed to grow quiet.

Vanessa realized what she had admitted.

She pressed her lips together.

I seemed to grow quiet.

Vanessa realized what she had admitted.

She pressed her lips together.

I stared at her.

“You knew.””

She looked away.

“You knew my father signed away Mom stared at her.

“You knew.””

She looked away.

“You knew my father signed away Mom's collection.””

“I knew there was a business agreement.””

“You knew my mother never received the money.””

“I wasn't involved in the's collection.””

“I knew there was a business agreement.””

“You knew my mother never received the money.””

“I wasn't involved in the negotiations.””

“You were involved in the cover-up.””

Vanessa turned toward Adrian.

“This is exactly why I wanted to negotiations.””

“You were involved in the cover-up.””

Vanessa turned toward Adrian.

“This is exactly why I wanted to settle the matter privately. The girl is emotional and doesn't understand the consequences of settle the matter privately. The girl is emotional and doesn't understand the consequences of making accusations.””

Adrian slipped the photocopy into a protective folder.

“No. She making accusations.””

Adrian slipped the photocopy into a protective folder.

“No. She understands perfectly well what you're asking her to do.””

He looked at me.

“Nia, you don't owe her an answer.””

I looked back at Vanessa.

“You offered to pay for my education understands perfectly well what you're asking her to do.””

He looked at me.

“Nia, you don't owe her an answer.””

I looked back at Vanessa.

“You offered to pay for my education.””

“Yes.””

“And a studio.””

“Yes.””

“Would Brianna have received the same offer if.””

“Yes.””

“And a studio.””

“Yes.””

“Would Brianna have received the same offer if she had won the competition?””

Vanessa's silence told me everything.

I shook my head.

“You weren't trying she had won the competition?””

Vanessa's silence told me everything.

I shook my head.

“You weren't trying to help me. You were trying to buy the rights to something you thought I could prove belonged to me to help me. You were trying to buy the rights to something you thought I could prove belonged to me.””

Vanessa's face hardened.

“You have no idea how much I have sacrificed to protect this family.””

“.””

Vanessa's face hardened.

“You have no idea how much I have sacrificed to protect this family.””

“Then why are you afraid of a seventeen-year-old girl withThen why are you afraid of a seventeen-year-old girl with a sewing machine?””

Her eyes flashed.

“Because your mother made the same mistake you are making now. She believed that being right was a sewing machine?””

Her eyes flashed.

“Because your mother made the same mistake you are making now. She believed that being right was enough.””

I stepped closer.

“Maybe she was right to believe enough.””

I stepped closer.

“Maybe she was right to believe it.””

Vanessa looked at me with open contempt.

“You'll regret this.””

“Perhaps.””

I it.””

Vanessa looked at me with open contempt.

“You'll regret this.””

“Perhaps.””

I handed the envelope back.

“But I won't sign.””

For a long handed the envelope back.

“But I won't sign.””

For a long moment, neither of us moved.

Then Vanessa put the documents away.

“You have until tomorrow moment, neither of us moved.

Then Vanessa put the documents away.

“You have until tomorrow morning to reconsider. After that, Whitmore Holdings will take every legal step necessary to protect its property.””

morning to reconsider. After that, Whitmore Holdings will take every legal step necessary to protect its property.””

She turned toward her SUV.

Before climbing inside, she looked back at me.

She turned toward her SUV.

Before climbing inside, she looked back at me.

“One more thing, Nia. If you think Adrian Vale is helping you out of loyalty to your mother, you're more naive than I“One more thing, Nia. If you think Adrian Vale is helping you out of loyalty to your mother, you're more naive than I thought.””

She shut the door.

The SUV pulled away.

I watched it disappear around the corner.

Then thought.””

She shut the door.

The SUV pulled away.

I watched it disappear around the corner.

Then I turned toward Adrian.

“What did she mean?””

He didn't answer.

“Adrian.””

I turned toward Adrian.

“What did she mean?””

He didn't answer.

“Adrian.””

He looked at the photocopy in his hands.

“There's something I haven't told you about my companyHe looked at the photocopy in his hands.

“There's something I haven't told you about my company.””

My stomach tightened.

“Is this another confession?””

“It's a fact that should.””

My stomach tightened.

“Is this another confession?””

“It's a fact that should have been disclosed earlier.””

He took a slow breath.

“Vale International purchased a minority have been disclosed earlier.””

He took a slow breath.

“Vale International purchased a minority stake in Whitmore Holdings twelve years ago. At the time, I believed the company had acquired Elena's collection legally. I approved the investment.””

I stake in Whitmore Holdings twelve years ago. At the time, I believed the company had acquired Elena's collection legally. I approved the investment.””

I stared at him.

“You own part of the company that holds my mother's stolen designs?””

“Yes.””

“And you never told me?””

“I didn't stared at him.

“You own part of the company that holds my mother's stolen designs?””

“Yes.””

“And you never told me?””

“I didn't know you were her daughter until I saw your registration at the competition. When I recognized the design, I began investigating.””

“That's not an excuse.””

know you were her daughter until I saw your registration at the competition. When I recognized the design, I began investigating.””

“That's not an excuse.””

“No,” he said.

“It isn't.””

I looked down at the blue ledger in my bag.

Everyone“No,” he said.

“It isn't.””

I looked down at the blue ledger in my bag.

Everyone who had promised to protect my mother had either betrayed her or failed to act.

My father had signed the transfer.

Adrian had signed the statement.

Vanessa had who had promised to protect my mother had either betrayed her or failed to act.

My father had signed the transfer.

Adrian had signed the statement.

Vanessa had helped preserve the lie.

And now I was supposed to trust the one helped preserve the lie.

And now I was supposed to trust the one man whose company had profited from the collection.

“I need some time man whose company had profited from the collection.

“I need some time,” I said.

Adrian nodded.

“You have it.””

I walked away from the hotel entrance and,” I said.

Adrian nodded.

“You have it.””

I walked away from the hotel entrance and sat on a low stone wall across the street.

My hands were shaking.

I wanted to sat on a low stone wall across the street.

My hands were shaking.

I wanted to call Mrs. Ellis. I wanted to hear a familiar voice tell me that I wasn't making a terrible mistake.

Instead, I opened call Mrs. Ellis. I wanted to hear a familiar voice tell me that I wasn't making a terrible mistake.

Instead, I opened the blue ledger and searched for the date of the agreement Vanessa had shown us.

the blue ledger and searched for the date of the agreement Vanessa had shown us.

Near the back, beneath a list of fabric purchases, I found a note in my mother's handwriting.

*RichardNear the back, beneath a list of fabric purchases, I found a note in my mother's handwriting.

Richard claims I claims I signed the final assignment. I did not. He says he has a witness, but I know the document is false. If I can prove who created it, the entire transfer will collapse.

Beneath the note was a name.

*EVELYN PRICE — NOTARY signed the final assignment. I did not. He says he has a witness, but I know the document is false. If I can prove who created it, the entire transfer will collapse.

Beneath the note was a name.

*EVELYN PRICE — NOTARY PUBLIC.*

And beside it, my mother had written an address.

I showed Adrian.

He read the entry, then looked at me.

“Evelyn Price was the notary assigned to the original agreement.””

“Can she prove PUBLIC.**

And beside it, my mother had written an address.

I showed Adrian.

He read the entry, then looked at me.

“Evelyn Price was the notary assigned to the original agreement.””

“Can she prove the final document was forged?””

“If she's alive and still has the final document was forged?””

“If she's alive and still has her records, possibly.””

I looked at the address.

“Then we find her.””

Adrian nodded.

But before her records, possibly.””

I looked at the address.

“Then we find her.””

Adrian nodded.

But before he could call his legal team, my phone rang.

Dad.

I answered.

“Nia?””

His voice was barely audible.

“Where are you?””

“ he could call his legal team, my phone rang.

Dad.

I answered.

“Nia?””

His voice was barely audible.

“Where are you?””

“Near the old Harrington Hotel. What's wrong?””

A long pause followed.

Then he whispered, “Vanessa knows about the notary.””

MyNear the old Harrington Hotel. What's wrong?””

A long pause followed.

Then he whispered, “Vanessa knows about the notary.””

My stomach dropped.

“How?””

“She found your mother's letter years ago. I thought she'd destroyed it, but she kept it. She knows exactly what stomach dropped.

“How?””

“She found your mother's letter years ago. I thought she'd destroyed it, but she kept it. She knows exactly what Evelyn Price witnessed.””

I looked at Adrian.

He was already reaching for his phone.

“Dad, what did Evelyn Price witnessed.””

I looked at Adrian.

He was already reaching for his phone.

“Dad, what did Evelyn witness?””

My father began to cry.

“The original agreement wasn't the only document signed that night.””

“What else Evelyn witness?””

My father began to cry.

“The original agreement wasn't the only document signed that night.””

“What else was there?””

He took a shaky breath.

Then he said something that made the was there?””

He took a shaky breath.

Then he said something that made the entire world seem to stop.

“Your mother didn't sign away her collection, Nia. She signed a document naming you as entire world seem to stop.

“Your mother didn't sign away her collection, Nia. She signed a document naming you as its sole heir.””

I gripped the phone.

“What?””

“And the final assignment Vanessa showed you wasn't its sole heir.””

I gripped the phone.

“What?””

“And the final assignment Vanessa showed you wasn't just forged. It was created using a signature taken from another just forged. It was created using a signature taken from another document.””

“Which document?””

Dad's answer came in a whisper.

“Your birth certificate.””

I looked down document.””

“Which document?””

Dad's answer came in a whisper.

“Your birth certificate.””

I looked down at the ledger.

My mother's note.

The notary's name.

The address.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Vanessa wasn't trying to protect at the ledger.

My mother's note.

The notary's name.

The address.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

Vanessa wasn't trying to protect a legitimate business agreement.

She was protecting a forgery.

And if we could find the woman who witnessed the original documents, we might finally uncover the truth.

But then a legitimate business agreement.

She was protecting a forgery.

And if we could find the woman who witnessed the original documents, we might finally uncover the truth.

But then Dad spoke again.

“Nia, there's one more thing. Vanessa has already sent someone to Evelyn's house.””

My Dad spoke again.

“Nia, there's one more thing. Vanessa has already sent someone to Evelyn's house.””

My blood ran cold.

“Who?””

“I don't know. But they left blood ran cold.

“Who?””

“I don't know. But they left a message for me.””

“What did it say?””

Dad's voice broke.

* a message for me.””

“What did it say?””

Dad's voice broke.

Tell your daughter that if she keeps digging, she'll discover why Elena died before she could tell the worldTell your daughter that if she keeps digging, she'll discover why Elena died before she could tell the world the truth.

I stood up so quickly that the ledger nearly fell from my hands.

Adrian caught my arm.

“Nia?””

I the truth.*

I stood up so quickly that the ledger nearly fell from my hands.

Adrian caught my arm.

“Nia?””

I stared at him.

Someone had threatened my mother seventeen years ago.

Now they were threatening me with the same secret.

And for the first time, I understood that the truth stared at him.

Someone had threatened my mother seventeen years ago.