Chapter 7: The Scholarship Nobody Knew Existed
Elise read the final paragraph twice.
Then she looked at my grandmother.
"Margaret, are you certain this document was never amended?""
Grandma shook her head.
"Daniel signed it before he died. I kept the original in a secure place until Richard started asking questions about the collection.""
My father stepped forward.
"That's not what happened.""
Grandma didn't even look at him.
"Then explain it, Richard.""
He adjusted his tie, glancing at the people gathering around us.
"This is a private family matter. It has nothing to do with the competition.""
Elise closed the document.
"Actually, it has everything to do with the competition.""
She turned the paper toward me.
I read the paragraph at the bottom.
Daniel had established a scholarship fund before his death. It was intended to support a young designer who could continue his unfinished creative vision.
The award was worth $100,000.
The recipient would receive the money through a trust established in his name.
And the beneficiary was identified as the first eligible descendant who independently completed a design inspired by the Transformation Collection.
My name was written in the final section.
Nia Carter.
I looked at Grandma.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She reached for my hand.
"Because I wanted you to discover fashion through your own creativity, not because you felt obligated to finish your uncle's work.""
"But Dad knew?""
Her eyes filled.
"Yes.""
I turned toward him.
"You knew there was a scholarship?""
My father looked uncomfortable.
"I knew Daniel had left some money.""
"Some money?""
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Richard, don't let them twist this.""
Elise raised a hand.
"Please allow him to answer.""
My father took a breath.
"Daniel was a difficult man. He made promises he couldn't keep. His estate was complicated.""
Grandma's voice sharpened.
"His estate was perfectly clear. You simply didn't like what he left behind.""
My father pointed at the document.
"That scholarship has conditions. Nia hasn't even proven she qualifies.""
Elise nodded.
"Which is why the committee will review the original documents.""
I looked at her.
"Does that mean Brianna can still compete?""
Elise considered the question.
"The general competition and Daniel's scholarship are separate matters. Brianna may continue as a registered contestant, pending the ownership investigation.""
Brianna finally spoke.
"Good. Then I don't have to worry about this.""
She lifted her chin.
"Because I'm still going to win the main competition.""
Maya stepped beside me.
"With a dress you didn't design?""
Brianna glared at her.
"Stay out of this.""
Vanessa grabbed her daughter's arm.
"Come on. We've already wasted enough time.""
But Elise stopped them.
"One more thing. The original garment must remain available for examination. Nobody is permitted to remove it from the premises.""
Vanessa's mouth fell open.
"You cannot confiscate our property!""
"The garment is evidence in an active ownership dispute. The competition's rules allow us to preserve disputed entries.""
My father looked furious.
"Elise, I know people at the board.""
She gave him a cold smile.
"Then you should know that threatening judges is a particularly poor strategy.""
A few assistants exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Grandma squeezed my hand.
"Come with me, sweetheart.""
She led me toward a quiet seating area near the windows.
For the first time that morning, I could breathe.
She opened her handbag and removed a small envelope.
"This belonged to Daniel.""
Inside was a photograph of a young woman standing beside him in a design studio.
I turned it over.
Written on the back were the words:
For the next generation. Never let anyone tell you that your hands aren't capable of creating something extraordinary.
"Who is she?"" I asked.
"Your mother.""
I looked up.
"My mother?""
Grandma nodded.
"She was the first person Daniel taught to sew. Before she married your father, she wanted to become a fashion designer.""
I stared at the photograph.
My mother had died when I was eight. I remembered her sewing buttons back onto my school uniforms and letting me play with scraps of fabric.
But I had never known she wanted a career in fashion.
"Why didn't Dad ever tell me?""
Grandma looked toward the backstage area.
"Because your mother disagreed with him about Daniel's estate. She believed his designs belonged to the family, not to anyone who wanted to profit from them.""
I looked down at the photograph.
Suddenly, the passion I had spent years trying to explain felt less mysterious.
Maybe it had always been there.
Grandma touched my cheek.
"Your mother would have been proud of you.""
I fought back tears.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
*You think the trust makes you untouchable? Ask Elise what happened to Daniel's last collection.*
I showed Grandma.
Her expression changed.
"What is it?""
"Someone keeps sending me messages.""
She read the screen.
Then she looked toward Elise.
"I think we need to talk to her.""
Before we could move, a loud crash came from backstage.
Someone had knocked over a clothing rack.
A staff member shouted.
I turned.
Brianna was standing beside the fallen rack, holding a small black folder.
My father's folder.
And as she hurried toward the exit, one sheet of paper slipped from her hand.
Maya picked it up.
Her face went pale.
"Nia, you need to see this.""
It was an invoice from a private design restoration company.
The payment description read:
*Reconstruction of stolen Carter archive pattern. Client: Richard Carter.*
May you like
But the date was what made my blood run cold.
It had been issued four months before Brianna ever tried on my dress.
