Chapter 4: The Secret Behind the Butterfly
For three seconds, nobody moved.
Elise Monroe stood between Brianna and me, holding the old sketch beside the gown my stepsister had stolen.
My father approached, adjusting his expensive navy tie.
"Elise," he said, forcing a smile.
"I wasn't expecting you to get involved in this.""
Elise didn't return the smile.
"Richard, I asked a question.""
He glanced at Brianna.
Then at Vanessa.
Finally, he looked at the gown.
"What exactly seems to be the problem?""
Elise held up the sketch.
"This pattern belongs to a collection my studio registered six months ago. The original design was never released publicly. Yet this young woman's dress contains an almost identical construction.""
Brianna laughed nervously.
"That's impossible. I designed that dress.""
Elise turned toward her.
"Your name is Brianna Carter?""
"Yes.""
"And you personally created the wing pattern?""
Brianna nodded.
"Of course.""
Elise looked at the dress again.
"Interesting. Because this particular butterfly-wing construction was developed by one of my former junior designers. It was part of a private research project.""
Vanessa stepped forward.
"This is ridiculous. My daughter has always been interested in fashion. Perhaps your designer saw one of her sketches.""
Elise's eyes narrowed.
"Madam, I haven't finished speaking.""
Vanessa immediately fell silent.
I stood beside the registration desk, holding my portfolio against my chest.
My heart was beating so hard I could hear it.
Elise turned to me.
"What's your name?""
"Nia Carter.""
"Are you related to Brianna?""
"She's my stepsister.""
Elise glanced between us.
"Then perhaps both of you should come with me.""
My father stepped forward.
"There's no need to make this complicated. The dress was repaired after an accident. We have documentation showing that Brianna received permission to use it.""
I felt my stomach twist.
Elise slowly turned toward him.
"Permission from whom?""
My father hesitated.
"From the original designer.""
I stepped forward.
"I never gave permission.""
Vanessa gave a sharp laugh.
"Here we go again.""
I opened my portfolio and removed the original sketches.
"These were submitted six months ago. Every page has a date. I also have photographs of the dress while I was making it.""
Elise accepted the documents.
She examined the first page.
Then the second.
When she reached the construction drawing, she stopped.
"Where did you learn this technique?""
I swallowed.
"I taught myself through books and online tutorials. But the wing structure was my own idea.""
Elise looked at me for a long moment.
Then she turned toward Brianna.
"Young lady, may I see your registration paperwork?""
Brianna looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa reached into her handbag and produced a folder.
"Here. Everything is perfectly legitimate.""
Elise opened it.
The first page contained Brianna's name.
The second contained a design description.
The third was a signed ownership declaration.
I recognized the document immediately.
It was the same forged transfer I'd seen on my application portal.
Elise studied it.
"Richard, did you sign this?""
My father nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did Nia sign it?""
He cleared his throat.
"She agreed to the arrangement.""
I stepped closer.
"No, I didn't.""
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"Please. We discussed this as a family.""
"When?""
"Don't pretend you don't remember.""
"I remember you destroying my dress. I remember Dad refusing to help me. I remember discovering someone had forged my signature.""
A few people nearby turned to look.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"You're embarrassing yourself.""
I looked directly at her.
"No. You did that when you decided my future belonged to your daughter.""
Elise closed the folder.
"That's enough.""
She turned toward the competition coordinator.
"Neither entry will be disqualified yet. I want both designs examined independently.""
Brianna's face changed.
"Wait. You can't do that!""
Elise raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?""
"Because I'm the registered designer!""
"Then you should have no difficulty answering questions about your construction process.""
Brianna opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Elise handed the folder to an assistant.
"Secure these documents. Nobody is to alter either application.""
Then she looked at me.
"Nia, I want you to tell me where you purchased your materials, who witnessed the construction, and whether you have photographs of the original dress.""
"Yes, ma'am. I have everything.""
"Good. Bring it to the judges' office.""
My father stepped between us.
"Elise, perhaps we should discuss this privately.""
She stared at him.
"Richard, I think we've already had enough private discussions.""
His smile vanished.
Before I could follow Elise, Brianna grabbed my wrist.
"You think you've won?""
I pulled away.
"No.""
I looked at the dress she was wearing.
"But I'm not giving up.""
She leaned closer.
"Mom says Dad has already made sure you won't get that scholarship.""
I froze.
"What does that mean?""
Brianna smiled.
May you like
Then she whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"Ask him what he promised the scholarship committee in exchange for signing my application.""
