Chapter 8: The## Chapter 8: The Signature That Changed Signature That Changed Everything
Adrian didn't ask me Everything
Adrian didn't ask me to hand over my phone.
He didn't deny to hand over my phone.
He didn't deny the message.
He simply stood beneath the flickering storage-facility light, the message.
He simply stood beneath the flickering storage-facility light, staring at his own name circled in red ink.
“Thomas,” he staring at his own name circled in red ink.
“Thomas,” he said, “get the car ready. And make sure nobody leaves this property until the said, “get the car ready. And make sure nobody leaves this property until the police arrive.””
Thomas hurried toward the entrance.
I stepped between Adrian and the corridor.
“No police arrive.””
Thomas hurried toward the entrance.
I stepped between Adrian and the corridor.
“No.””
He looked at me.
“What do you mean, no?””
“I mean you're.””
He looked at me.
“What do you mean, no?””
“I mean you're not walking away from me without an explanation.””
“Nia, this isn't the not walking away from me without an explanation.””
“Nia, this isn't the place.””
“That's what everyone says when they don't want to answer a question.””
His place.””
“That's what everyone says when they don't want to answer a question.””
His jaw tightened.
I held up the phone.
“Someone claims you signed something jaw tightened.
I held up the phone.
“Someone claims you signed something the night my mother disappeared. Your name is in her ledger. And you knew the night my mother disappeared.
Your name is in her ledger. And you knew more about her past than you've told me.””
Adrian glanced at the photograph again more about her past than you've told me.””
Adrian glanced at the photograph again.
“It's possible the message is intended to make you distrust me.””
“Is.
“It's possible the message is intended to make you distrust me.””
“Is it true?””
He didn't answer quickly enough.
I felt the floor shift beneath me.
“Did it true?””
He didn't answer quickly enough.
I felt the floor shift beneath me.
“Did you sign a document involving my mother?””
“Yes.””
The word was quiet.
But it hit harder than any denial you sign a document involving my mother?””
“Yes.””
The word was quiet.
But it hit harder than any denial could have.
“What did you sign?””
“A statement confirming that Elena had could have.
“What did you sign?””
“A statement confirming that Elena had voluntarily withdrawn from the fashion industry.””
I stared at him.
“You signed a statement saying she left?””
“Yes.””
voluntarily withdrawn from the fashion industry.””
I stared at him.
“You signed a statement saying she left?””
“Yes.””
“Even though she wrote you that letter?””
“I never received the letter.””
“But you“Even though she wrote you that letter?””
“I never received the letter.””
“But you knew she had been fighting to recover her designs.””
“I knew she had been fighting Richard Whit knew she had been fighting to recover her designs.””
“I knew she had been fighting Richard Whitmore. I didn't know she was preparing legal action.””
I shook my head.
“You keepmore. I didn't know she was preparing legal action.””
I shook my head.
“You keep finding ways to explain why you didn't know something.””
His finding ways to explain why you didn't know something.””
His expression tightened.
“Because I was wrong, Nia. I trusted expression tightened.
“Because I was wrong, Nia. I trusted people I shouldn't have trusted, and I believed a story that was convenient for people I shouldn't have trusted, and I believed a story that was convenient for everyone except Elena.””
“Why did you sign it?””
He looked down at his hands.
“Because Richard told everyone except Elena.””
“Why did you sign it?””
He looked down at his hands.
“Because Richard told me she had accepted a settlement. He said the statement was an administrative requirement to close me she had accepted a settlement. He said the statement was an administrative requirement to close the case.””
“And you believed him?””
“I was twenty-five. the case.””
“And you believed him?””
“I was twenty-five. I wanted to believe that Elena had found a way to move forward.””
“You didn't call I wanted to believe that Elena had found a way to move forward.””
“You didn't call her?””
“No.””
“You didn't visit her?””
“No.””
“Did you even try to find out whether she was all right?””
His her?””
“No.””
“You didn't visit her?””
“No.””
“Did you even try to find out whether she was all right?””
His silence answered me.
I stepped away.
For a moment, the storage corridor seemed to stretch silence answered me.
I stepped away.
For a moment, the storage corridor seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions.
I had spent the past several days discovering that my mother endlessly in both directions.
I had spent the past several days discovering that my mother had been betrayed by people she trusted. I had believed Adrian was different because he seemed had been betrayed by people she trusted. I had believed Adrian was different because he seemed willing to confront the truth.
Now I wasn't sure he had done anything more than arrive willing to confront the truth.
Now I wasn't sure he had done anything more than arrive late to the consequences.
“You promised her you'd protect me,” late to the consequences.
“You promised her you'd protect me,” I whispered.
“But you couldn't even protect her.””
Adrian absorbed the accusation I whispered.
“But you couldn't even protect her.””
Adrian absorbed the accusation without defending himself.
“You're right.””
I hadn't expected that answer.
He without defending himself.
“You're right.””
I hadn't expected that answer.
He continued, “I cannot undo what I signed. I can only tell you exactly continued, “I cannot undo what I signed. I can only tell you exactly what happened and give you every document I have.””
“Then start with the original agreement.””
He nodded what happened and give you every document I have.””
“Then start with the original agreement.””
He nodded.
“The amended transfer agreement should be in the Vale Group's legal archive. If.
“The amended transfer agreement should be in the Vale Group's legal archive. If it exists, it will show whether Richard Whitmore acquired the collection legally or it exists, it will show whether Richard Whitmore acquired the collection legally or used the statement I signed to conceal something else.””
“And used the statement I signed to conceal something else.””
“And the person who sent that message?””
“We'll find out who they are.””
My phone vibr the person who sent that message?””
“We'll find out who they are.””
My phone vibrated again.
This time, the message contained no photograph.
Only a sentence.
*If you want theated again.
This time, the message contained no photograph.
Only a sentence.
If you want the truth, come alone to the old Harrington Hotel tomorrow at ten. Bring the truth, come alone to the old Harrington Hotel tomorrow at ten. Bring the blue ledger.
I showed Adrian.
He read it twice.
“No.””
“You don't blue ledger.*
I showed Adrian.
He read it twice.
“No.””
“You don't get to decide that for me.””
“Someone has already broken into a secured property to get to decide that for me.””
“Someone has already broken into a secured property to remove evidence. They're now threatening you directly.””
“Then I'll remove evidence. They're now threatening you directly.””
“Then I'll go to the police.””
“We will. But you won't meet an anonymous person alone.””
I go to the police.””
“We will. But you won't meet an anonymous person alone.””
I folded my arms.
“Fine. Then tell me what you know about folded my arms.
“Fine. Then tell me what you know about the old Harrington Hotel.””
Adrian's expression changed.
“It was where your mother's collection was first presented to the old Harrington Hotel.””
Adrian's expression changed.
“It was where your mother's collection was first presented to the investors. Richard Whitmore held a private reception there the night she won the international design prize the investors. Richard Whitmore held a private reception there the night she won the international design prize.””
“Why would someone choose that place now?””
“Because they want you to believe they have.””
“Why would someone choose that place now?””
“Because they want you to believe they have access to the original records.””
“Or because they do.””
He said nothing.
The police access to the original records.””
“Or because they do.””
He said nothing.
The police arrived fifteen minutes later. They photographed the damaged cabinet, recorded the missing page in the ledger, and took arrived fifteen minutes later. They photographed the damaged cabinet, recorded the missing page in the ledger, and took copies of the threatening message.
An officer asked me whether I knew anyone who might want to copies of the threatening message.
An officer asked me whether I knew anyone who might want to intimidate me.
I almost laughed.
“My stepmother, her father, my stepsister, and possibly half the fashion intimidate me.
I almost laughed.
“My stepmother, her father, my stepsister, and possibly half the fashion industry.””
The officer didn't laugh.
“Let's start with the people who have directly industry.””
The officer didn't laugh.
“Let's start with the people who have directly threatened you.””
I gave her Vanessa's name and explained the circumstances threatened you.””
I gave her Vanessa's name and explained the circumstances surrounding my removal from the family home. I also told her about Brianna taking my dress and presenting it as her own surrounding my removal from the family home. I also told her about Brianna taking my dress and presenting it as her own.
She wrote everything down.
When we finally left the facility, Adrian insisted on.
She wrote everything down.
When we finally left the facility, Adrian insisted on taking me to a hotel near his office.
I refused a suite.
I refused taking me to a hotel near his office.
I refused a suite.
I refused a shopping trip for new clothes.
And I refused when he offered to have a shopping trip for new clothes.
And I refused when he offered to have someone replace my sewing machine with a modern model.
“My mother left me that machine,” I told him.
“It stays with someone replace my sewing machine with a modern model.
“My mother left me that machine,” I told him.
“It stays with me.””
He nodded.
“Then we'll make sure it stays safe.””
The next morning, I arrived at me.””
He nodded.
“Then we'll make sure it stays safe.””
The next morning, I arrived at Vale International wearing the same black dress I had worn to the competition. My hair was tied back, and my mother's Vale International wearing the same black dress I had worn to the competition. My hair was tied back, and my mother's letter rested inside my bag beside the blue ledger.
The building rose above the surrounding letter rested inside my bag beside the blue ledger.
The building rose above the surrounding streets, all glass and steel.
In the lobby, a woman in a navy suit greeted Adrian by streets, all glass and steel.
In the lobby, a woman in a navy suit greeted Adrian by name. Employees moved around us carrying garment bags, laptops, and fabric samples name. Employees moved around us carrying garment bags, laptops, and fabric samples.
For the first time, I saw the world my mother might.
For the first time, I saw the world my mother might have entered if she had been given the chance.
Adrian led me to a conference room overlooking the city.
On the table have entered if she had been given the chance.
Adrian led me to a conference room overlooking the city.
On the table lay a thick legal folder.
“I had my lawyers retrieve everything associated with Elena's collection lay a thick legal folder.
“I had my lawyers retrieve everything associated with Elena's collection,” he said.
“Some records are incomplete, but the amended agreement was,” he said.
“Some records are incomplete, but the amended agreement was found in a box that hadn't been digitized.””
He opened found in a box that hadn't been digitized.””
He opened the folder.
The first pages contained financial terms, ownership clauses, and the names of the companies involved.
Then I saw the folder.
The first pages contained financial terms, ownership clauses, and the names of the companies involved.
Then I saw my father's signature.
Marcus Carter.
Beneath it was Richard Whitmore's.
And my father's signature.
Marcus Carter.
Beneath it was Richard Whitmore's.
And on the final page, beside a clause transferring the remaining commercial rights to a company called Whitmore Holdings, was Adrian's on the final page, beside a clause transferring the remaining commercial rights to a company called Whitmore Holdings, was Adrian's signature.
I stared at it.
“You signed the agreement that gave them the collection?””
“Not signature.
I stared at it.
“You signed the agreement that gave them the collection?””
“Not the original transfer,” he said.
“I signed a supplemental statement confirming that Elena the original transfer,” he said.
“I signed a supplemental statement confirming that Elena had withdrawn voluntarily. That statement was attached to the amended agreement.””
“Why?””
“Richard told me it was had withdrawn voluntarily. That statement was attached to the amended agreement.””
“Why?””
“Richard told me it was necessary to protect Elena from a lawsuit. He claimed she had accepted compensation and wanted the matter necessary to protect Elena from a lawsuit. He claimed she had accepted compensation and wanted the matter closed.””
“Did she?””
“No.””
“How do you know?””
Adrian turned to closed.””
“Did she?””
“No.””
“How do you know?””
Adrian turned to the next page.
A handwritten note had been attached to the contract.
It was the next page.
A handwritten note had been attached to the contract.
It was dated two days after the agreement was signed.
*I have received no payment. I do not dated two days after the agreement was signed.
I have received no payment. I do not consent to the transfer of my remaining designs. Any document claiming otherwise is false.
The consent to the transfer of my remaining designs. Any document claiming otherwise is false.*
The signature beneath it was unmistakable.
Elena Carter.
My hands began to tremble.
“She was signature beneath it was unmistakable.
Elena Carter.
My hands began to tremble.
“She was still fighting.””
“Yes.””
“And you signed the statement anyway.””
“Yes.””
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you tell still fighting.””
“Yes.””
“And you signed the statement anyway.””
“Yes.””
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you tell me this yesterday?””
“Because I didn't have the amended agreement. I knew I had signed a statement, but I didn't me this yesterday?””
“Because I didn't have the amended agreement. I knew I had signed a statement, but I didn't know Richard had attached it to a document transferring the collection.””
“That doesn't make it better.””
“No know Richard had attached it to a document transferring the collection.””
“That doesn't make it better.””
“No,” he said.
“It doesn't.””
He pushed another document toward me.
“This,” he said.
“It doesn't.””
He pushed another document toward me.
“This is a letter from Richard's attorney. It confirms that the collection was transferred into Whit is a letter from Richard's attorney. It confirms that the collection was transferred into Whitmore Holdings after Elena's withdrawal. But there's a problem.””
I read the letter.
The date wasmore Holdings after Elena's withdrawal. But there's a problem.””
I read the letter.
The date was several months after my mother had died.
At the bottom, a handwritten note read:
*The heir's several months after my mother had died.
At the bottom, a handwritten note read:
The heir's rights must be extinguished before any public release.
I looked up.
“The heir?””
“Your mother had not signed rights must be extinguished before any public release.*
I looked up.
“The heir?””
“Your mother had not signed away all her rights. Under the agreement, certain ownership interests could pass to her legal heir.””
“Me.””
Adrian nodded.
I read away all her rights. Under the agreement, certain ownership interests could pass to her legal heir.””
“Me.””
Adrian nodded.
I read the sentence again.
The heir's rights must be extinguished.
A cold sensation spread the sentence again.
The heir's rights must be extinguished.
A cold sensation spread through my chest.
“Does that mean they knew I might inherit the designs?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because if through my chest.
“Does that mean they knew I might inherit the designs?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't anyone tell me?””
“Because if you had been informed of your rights, you might have challenged the transfer.””
I pushed the document away.
For seventeen years, my family had treated my mother's work as though it were an embarrassing relic.
you had been informed of your rights, you might have challenged the transfer.””
I pushed the document away.
For seventeen years, my family had treated my mother's work as though it were an embarrassing relic.
Now I was discovering that someone had spent nearly two decades making sure I never learned it might belong to me.
Adrian openedNow I was discovering that someone had spent nearly two decades making sure I never learned it might belong to me.
Adrian opened another folder.
“There is one more complication.””
“Of course there is.””
“The company another folder.
“There is one more complication.””
“Of course there is.””
“The company that holds the collection was sold three years ago. The current owner is a private investment firm. Its largest individual that holds the collection was sold three years ago.
The current owner is a private investment firm. Its largest individual shareholder is Richard Whitmore's daughter.””
I stared at him.
“Vanessa.””
“Yes.””
I stood and shareholder is Richard Whitmore's daughter.””
I stared at him.
“Vanessa.””
“Yes.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
Below us, traffic moved through the city in orderly lines walked toward the window.
Below us, traffic moved through the city in orderly lines. People crossed streets carrying coffee cups and briefcases, unaware that somewhere. People crossed streets carrying coffee cups and briefcases, unaware that somewhere above them, a seventeen-year-old girl was discovering that the family who had raised her above them, a seventeen-year-old girl was discovering that the family who had raised her might have profited from her mother's stolen work.
“Why would Vanessa want Brianna to win that might have profited from her mother's stolen work.
“Why would Vanessa want Brianna to win that competition?”” I asked.
Adrian joined me.
“Because your design attracted attention. If Bri competition?”” I asked.
Adrian joined me.
“Because your design attracted attention. If Brianna had won, she could have been introduced as a promising new designer. Whitmoreanna had won, she could have been introduced as a promising new designer. Whitmore Holdings could have used her success to launch a collection built around your mother's original work.””
I turned Holdings could have used her success to launch a collection built around your mother's original work.””
I turned.
“They were going to use my dress to revive the stolen collection?””
.
“They were going to use my dress to revive the stolen collection?””
“That is a possibility we need to investigate.””
I thought about Brianna's presentation“That is a possibility we need to investigate.””
I thought about Brianna's presentation. The way she had repeated my words. The way she had described the lace as a family heirloom.
Perhaps she had never. The way she had repeated my words. The way she had described the lace as a family heirloom.
Perhaps she had never intended to become a designer.
Perhaps she had simply been handed a role intended to become a designer.
Perhaps she had simply been handed a role in a much larger plan.
My phone vibrated.
A message from my father.
*Please in a much larger plan.
My phone vibrated.
A message from my father.
Please call me. Vanessa has found out about the ledger. She's furious.
A call me. Vanessa has found out about the ledger. She's furious.*
A second message arrived.
There's something I didn't tell you about the night your mother died.
I felt second message arrived.
There's something I didn't tell you about the night your mother died.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
I called him immediately.
He answered on the first ring.
“Nia?””
the blood drain from my face.
I called him immediately.
He answered on the first ring.
“Nia?””
“What happened the night Mom died?””
I heard him breathe shakily“What happened the night Mom died?””
I heard him breathe shakily.
“Your mother called me from the hospital. She wanted me to bring something to her.
“Your mother called me from the hospital. She wanted me to bring something to her.””
“What?””
“The original designs. She said she had found evidence.””
“What?””
“The original designs. She said she had found evidence that Richard was preparing to sell them overseas.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“You had that Richard was preparing to sell them overseas.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“You had the designs?””
“I had copies. She wanted them brought to her before she spoke the designs?””
“I had copies. She wanted them brought to her before she spoke to the lawyer.””
“Did you take them?””
“I was on my way when Vanessa called to the lawyer.””
“Did you take them?””
“I was on my way when Vanessa called. She said Richard had arranged a meeting and that I needed to come home first.””
I closed my eyes.
“Dad.””
. She said Richard had arranged a meeting and that I needed to come home first.””
I closed my eyes.
“Dad.””
“I know.””
“What did you do?””
“I went home.””
For“I know.””
“What did you do?””
“I went home.””
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
My father continued, his voice breaking.
“By several seconds, I couldn't speak.
My father continued, his voice breaking.
“By the time I reached the hospital, your mother was gone.””
I leaned against the window.
“Did you ever find out what the time I reached the hospital, your mother was gone.””
I leaned against the window.
“Did you ever find out what happened to the designs?””
“No. But a week later, Richard told me they had happened to the designs?””
“No. But a week later, Richard told me they had been destroyed. He said there was nothing left to recover.””
I looked at Adrian.
He had heard been destroyed. He said there was nothing left to recover.””
I looked at Adrian.
He had heard every word.
“Dad,” I whispered, “did Mom know you were coming?””
every word.
“Dad,” I whispered, “did Mom know you were coming?””
“Yes.””
“Then she might have been waiting for you.””
He began to cry.
“I know“Yes.””
“Then she might have been waiting for you.””
He began to cry.
“I know.””
I ended the call and stood in silence.
My mother had spent her.””
I ended the call and stood in silence.
My mother had spent her final days fighting to protect her work.
My father had chosen fear over her.
final days fighting to protect her work.
My father had chosen fear over her.
Adrian had signed a document that helped conceal the transfer.
And Vanessa's family had builtAdrian had signed a document that helped conceal the transfer.
And Vanessa's family had built its reputation around the very designs they had taken from her.
I turned toward its reputation around the very designs they had taken from her.
I turned toward the conference table.
“What happens now?””
Adrian closed the folder.
“Now the conference table.
“What happens now?””
Adrian closed the folder.
“Now we recover the original records, establish the chain of ownership, and determine exactly what happened to your mother's collection.””
we recover the original records, establish the chain of ownership, and determine exactly what happened to your mother's collection.””
“And the meeting tomorrow?””
“We'll go.””
I looked at him sharply“And the meeting tomorrow?””
“We'll go.””
I looked at him sharply.
“You said I shouldn't go alone.””
“You won't.””
He paused.
“But before we go, there's something.
“You said I shouldn't go alone.””
“You won't.””
He paused.
“But before we go, there's something you need to understand. If Richard Whitmore is still protecting the collection, he may you need to understand. If Richard Whitmore is still protecting the collection, he may not be the only person with something to lose.””
“Who else?””
Adrian looked toward the door not be the only person with something to lose.””
“Who else?””
Adrian looked toward the door.
“Someone inside my company has been accessing files they shouldn't have touched.””
My stomach.
“Someone inside my company has been accessing files they shouldn't have touched.””
My stomach tightened.
“Someone working for you?””
“Yes.””
“Do you know who?””
“Not yet.””
He tightened.
“Someone working for you?””
“Yes.””
“Do you know who?””
“Not yet.””
He handed me a printout showing the access history for the archive.
handed me a printout showing the access history for the archive.
Several files had been opened overnight.
The most recent access had occurred just sevenSeveral files had been opened overnight.
The most recent access had occurred just seven minutes earlier.
The username belonged to a senior executive.
**VANESSA WHITMORE-CART minutes earlier.
The username belonged to a senior executive.
*VANESSA WHITMORE-CARTER.*
I stared at the screen.
She hadn't merely been trying to silence me.
She had been inside the company, searchingER.**
I stared at the screen.
She hadn't merely been trying to silence me.
She had been inside the company, searching for the same documents we were trying to recover.
And if she knew what was in for the same documents we were trying to recover.
And if she knew what was in the blue ledger, then she knew something else, too.
The original collection had never the blue ledger, then she knew something else, too.
The original collection had never truly disappeared.
It had been waiting for someone to claim it truly disappeared.
May you like
It had been waiting for someone to claim it.
And Vanessa was determined to make sure that someone wasn't me.
