Chapter 12: The Lawsuit That Changed Everything
By the time we returned to the convention center, Vanessa had already held a press conference.
A reporter's voice came through the television in the lobby.
"Fashion entrepreneur Vanessa Miller claims that her stepdaughter illegally accessed confidential company materials and disrupted today's competition with fabricated accusations.""
My stomach turned.
The screen showed Vanessa standing beside a lawyer.
She wore a black dress and looked perfectly composed.
A microphone was pushed toward her.
"Mrs. Miller, are you saying the allegations against you are false?""
Vanessa dabbed her eyes.
"Completely. Emily has struggled with jealousy for years. Unfortunately, she's allowed her personal resentment to destroy an important professional event.""
I stared at the television.
She was crying.
The same woman who had slapped me, stolen my gown, and threatened me was now pretending to be a victim.
A reporter asked another question.
"What about the recording played during the competition?""
Vanessa sighed.
"Edited audio can be manipulated. My legal team is reviewing the matter.""
Then she added something that made my blood boil.
"I only wanted to help my daughter succeed. I never imagined Emily would react so violently.""
I turned off the television.
"She's lying.""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes. And she's trying to control the story before the evidence becomes public.""
Margaret placed her bag on the reception desk.
"Then we need to move quickly.""
We entered a private conference room where Jonathan Reed was waiting.
He had several documents spread across the table.
"Miss Carter, we have a serious issue.""
I sat down.
"What now?""
"The competition's legal department received a cease-and-desist notice from Miller Creative Holdings.""
"On what grounds?""
"They claim ownership of the gown and allege that you unlawfully removed proprietary materials from their business.""
I laughed in disbelief.
"That's my dress!""
Jonathan nodded.
"I know. But we need independent documentation.""
Margaret placed the trust agreement on the table.
"Here it is.""
Jonathan examined the pages.
"This is substantial.""
"Not just substantial," Margaret replied.
"It's legally registered.""
Daniel added a second folder.
"And these are the original bank statements, transfer authorizations, and correspondence between Vanessa and the proposed buyer.""
Jonathan looked at me.
"Who is the buyer?""
"Mr. Harrison.""
He leaned back.
"He's one of our principal sponsors.""
"Which means he had influence over the competition," I said.
Jonathan nodded grimly.
"That possibility is being investigated.""
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
*You have until 5 p.m. to return the confidential archive. Otherwise, legal action will proceed against you and your uncle.*
A second message followed.
*Your father knows what happens if the original contract becomes public. Ask him why he agreed to the sale.*
I showed Daniel.
He frowned.
"Don't respond.""
Then the conference room door opened.
My father walked inside.
His face was pale.
"Emily, I need to talk to you.""
I stood.
"About what?""
He placed a document on the table.
"A confession.""
Daniel immediately stepped forward.
"Richard, have you spoken to an attorney?""
"Yes.""
"Then let the attorney handle this.""
My father shook his head.
"No. Emily deserves to hear it from me.""
He turned toward me.
"Vanessa didn't just persuade me to transfer money from the trust. She threatened me.""
"With what?""
"She had copies of my financial records. Some of the transfers were unauthorized, but I had also approved several payments myself. She threatened to expose everything and make sure I went to prison.""
I stared at him.
"So you helped her steal Mom's designs because you were afraid?""
"Yes.""
"And you let her hurt me because you were afraid?""
His eyes filled.
"I didn't know she had been hitting you.""
"You knew she was stealing from me.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
I turned away.
He continued.
"There's something else. The sale agreement with Harrison was never just about the designs.""
I looked back.
"What do you mean?""
He opened the document.
A clause near the bottom was highlighted.
*The acquisition includes all original patterns, trademarks, historical design records, and any associated intellectual property claims.*
I read it twice.
"Why would he want my mother's company?""
My father swallowed.
"Because Claire's original collection includes designs that were never publicly registered individually. Whoever acquires the archive could attempt to claim ownership of them before you establish your rights.""
Margaret shook her head.
"That's precisely why Claire created the trust.""
My father nodded.
"Vanessa knew that. That's why she wanted the collection transferred before Emily turned eighteen.""
I looked at the document.
There was a signature beneath the agreement.
Richard Carter.
Vanessa Miller.
And a third name.
*Jonathan Harrison.*
I lifted my eyes.
"Then he wasn't just a sponsor.""
Daniel answered.
"He was part of the plan.""
A knock sounded at the door.
A woman in a gray suit entered, carrying a leather briefcase.
"Emily Carter?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Rebecca Lawson. I'm an attorney representing the Claire Carter Creative Trust.""
She placed a business card in front of me.
"Margaret contacted my office this morning. We've reviewed the preliminary evidence.""
I sat down.
"What happens now?""
Rebecca opened her briefcase.
"First, we're filing an emergency injunction to prevent the sale or transfer of the design archive. Second, we're demanding the return of every original piece of property belonging to the trust.""
She removed another document.
"And third, we're requesting an independent investigation into the financial transfers.""
My father looked relieved.
"Thank you.""
Rebecca turned toward him.
"Mr. Carter, I need you to understand that your own involvement will also be examined.""
His expression fell.
"I understand.""
Then Rebecca looked at me.
"There's one more matter.""
She handed me a photograph.
It showed a warehouse filled with boxes, garment bags, and old design portfolios.
"These materials were recently moved from your mother's studio.""
I recognized several boxes.
One had my mother's handwriting.
*THE SECOND BLOOM — ORIGINAL COLLECTION.*
"Where is this warehouse?""
Rebecca gave me the address.
"Outside Atlanta. We believe Vanessa and Mr. Harrison intend to move the contents tonight.""
Daniel stood immediately.
"Then we need to get there before they do.""
Rebecca shook her head.
"Not without a court order. We need to proceed carefully.""
I stared at the photograph.
Then I noticed something in the bottom corner.
A small cardboard box.
It was labeled with my name.
*EMILY — PERSONAL ITEMS.*
I pointed toward it.
"What's inside that box?""
Rebecca examined the photograph.
"We don't know.""
My father leaned closer.
Then his face changed.
"I recognize that box.""
"What is it?""
He looked at me.
"Your mother kept all the original recordings from her design sessions inside it.""
My heart started racing.
The recordings could prove which designs she created, when she created them, and who had access to them.
Rebecca immediately reached for her phone.
"If those recordings still exist, they could establish the entire history of the archive.""
Then Daniel noticed something else.
The photograph had been taken that morning.
A timestamp was visible in the corner.
11:42 a.m.
It was now nearly four in the afternoon.
"They're already moving the boxes," he said.
My phone vibrated again.
This time, the message came from Brittany.
*Emily, please answer me. Mom is at the warehouse. She has the original recordings. And she's planning to burn them tonight.*
A second message appeared.
*I know where she keeps the key. But if I help you, she'll never forgive me.*
I stared at the screen.
For the first time, Brittany wasn't asking me to forgive her.
May you like
She was asking me to help stop our mother.
And somewhere outside Atlanta, Vanessa was preparing to destroy the last pieces of the woman who had given me everything.
