Chapter 11: The Gala Where Everything Changed
The next evening, I stood in front of the mirror wearing a simple black dress.
My pink gown was inside a protective garment bag.
Mrs. Collins had spent the afternoon repairing the damaged lining without disturbing the original embroidery.
She had also placed the gown inside a transparent protective cover.
“No one touches this without our permission,” she said.
I nodded.
Daniel had arranged for an independent textile specialist to accompany us.
Brianna was coming, too.
She had agreed to provide a written statement about the ownership dispute.
For the first time in my life, we were entering the same room with the same goal.
But I still didn't trust her completely.
“You look nervous,” Brianna said as we waited outside the hotel ballroom.
“I am.””
“Me too.””
She looked at the garment bag.
“Do you remember when we used to play dress-up in Mom's bedroom?””
I glanced at her.
“Sometimes.””
“You always wanted to make the clothes. I just wanted to wear them.””
A faint smile crossed my face.
“I remember.””
Brianna lowered her eyes.
“I think that's why I didn't take you seriously. I thought you were just playing.””
“I'm not playing anymore.””
“I know.””
The ballroom doors opened.
A woman in a blue evening gown approached us.
“Emily Walker?””
“Yes?””
“I'm Mrs. Harrison. I'm glad you came.””
She looked at the garment bag.
“Is that the original design?””
I nodded.
“It's been professionally secured.””
“Excellent. We have a private inspection room prepared.””
Before we could move, a familiar voice interrupted.
“Emily!””
Richard Hale approached us.
He was tall, silver-haired, and impeccably dressed in a dark navy suit.
His smile was warm enough to fool someone who didn't know what he wanted.
“It's wonderful to finally meet you.””
I didn't offer my hand.
“Mr. Hale.””
He looked at Brianna.
“Brianna. You've grown up.””
She remained silent.
Richard glanced at the garment bag.
“So this is the famous gown.””
“Yes,” I replied.
“May I see it?””
“No.””
His smile tightened.
“Still protective, I see.””
“It's my design.””
He chuckled.
“Of course. That's what everyone keeps telling me.””
Mrs. Harrison stepped forward.
“Mr. Hale, I believe the ownership matter is still under review.””
“Absolutely. And I'm delighted to support young talent. That's why I've offered the showcase a generous sponsorship.””
I looked at him.
“On the condition that I withdraw?””
His smile disappeared.
“That's an unfortunate misunderstanding.””
“It's written in your sponsorship proposal.””
Richard adjusted his cuff.
“Sometimes difficult decisions are necessary to protect an institution.””
Mrs. Harrison looked uncomfortable.
“I assure you, Emily, we will not allow sponsorship arrangements to influence judging.””
Richard gave her a thin smile.
“I'm sure.””
Then he turned toward me.
“Emily, perhaps we should speak privately.””
“No.””
He leaned closer.
“Your father would have wanted you to listen.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Don't use my father to manipulate me.””
For the first time, his expression became cold.
“You have no idea what your father did.””
I stepped forward.
“Then tell me.””
He looked around the ballroom.
“Not here.””
“Why not? Afraid someone might hear?””
His jaw tightened.
Then he smiled again.
“Enjoy the evening.””
He walked away.
Brianna watched him disappear into the crowd.
“He's always done that.””
“What?””
“Made people feel like they're being rude when they refuse him.””
Mrs. Collins appeared beside us.
“The inspection room is ready.””
We followed her down a quiet hallway.
The textile specialist examined the gown carefully.
She checked the seams, the embroidery, and the repaired lining.
After twenty minutes, she looked up.
“This is an original handmade garment. The construction is consistent with the photographs and records provided.””
I exhaled.
“Can you verify the concealed design mark?””
She examined the five flowers.
“Yes. The arrangement appears deliberate, and the stitching is consistent with the original construction.””
Mrs. Harrison smiled.
“That's excellent news.””
Then the specialist noticed something.
She gently lifted the inner seam beneath the flowers.
“There's another layer here.””
Mrs. Collins leaned closer.
“What?””
The specialist carefully examined the stitching.
“Someone has placed a thin piece of fabric beneath the embroidery.””
I stared at the gown.
“I didn't put that there.””
Mrs. Collins went pale.
“Thomas did.””
She took a small pair of precision scissors and carefully opened the edge of the seam.
A tiny folded piece of silk slipped into her palm.
It was almost invisible.
She unfolded it.
There were several handwritten numbers.
And beneath them, one sentence.
The truth is in the original recording.
Daniel, who had just entered the room, read the note.
“Recording?””
Mrs. Collins nodded slowly.
“Thomas used to record important business meetings.””
“Where would he keep them?”” I asked.
Mrs. Collins stared at the five flowers.
“Inside the original studio archive. There was a hidden recording compartment in his desk.””
Daniel immediately took out his phone.
“Then we need to secure the archive.””
Before anyone could respond, the ballroom lights dimmed.
A microphone crackled.
Richard's voice echoed through the speakers.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight.””
We hurried toward the ballroom.
A large screen illuminated behind the stage.
Richard stood at the podium, smiling.
“Tonight, I'm proud to introduce a collection that represents the future of American couture.””
The screen changed.
A pink gown appeared.
My pink gown.
Except the photograph showed a digitally altered version with different embroidery.
Beneath it were the words:
*THE ROSE LEGACY COLLECTION — CREATED BY RICHARD HALE.*
I felt my entire body go cold.
He had presented my design as his own.
Richard continued.
“This collection was developed through years of research into the original Walker Atelier archives.””
Mrs. Harrison stepped toward the stage.
“Mr. Hale, you cannot make that announcement.””
Richard ignored her.
“Some people have attempted to challenge my ownership. Unfortunately, those claims are based on incomplete documentation.””
He looked directly at me.
Then he smiled.
“Perhaps Emily Walker would like to join us.””
Every head in the ballroom turned.
Brianna grabbed my hand.
“Don't go up there.””
I looked at the screen.
Then at the pink gown.
I stepped toward the stage.
“Actually,” I said, taking the microphone, “I'd love to show everyone the original.””
Richard's smile froze.
I removed the protective cover.
The pink satin shimmered beneath the stage lights.
Then I turned the gown around, revealing the five embroidered flowers.
A murmur spread through the audience.
“This dress was made by me,” I said.
“I spent six months creating it. I have photographs, receipts, original sketches, and witnesses.””
Richard laughed.
“Those are allegations.””
“No. They're records.””
I looked toward Daniel.
He raised a folder.
“And we have the original copyright registration.””
Richard's expression changed.
But before Daniel could approach, a woman stood up from the front row.
She was wearing a dark green suit.
She held a small black device in her hand.
“That's not the only evidence,” she said.
Richard went completely still.
Mrs. Collins whispered beside me.
“Evelyn.””
The woman stepped into the aisle.
“I have the original recording of the meeting where Richard Hale and Linda Walker discussed transferring the Rose Legacy without Thomas Walker's consent.””
The ballroom erupted in whispers.
Richard stared at her.
“You have no idea what you're doing.””
Evelyn pressed a button.
A familiar voice filled the speakers.
May you like
My father's voice.
And the first sentence made my mother, who had just entered the ballroom, collapse into the nearest chair.
