Chapter 8: The Woman Who Repaired the Stolen Gown
The invoice changed everything.
Four months before the competition, my father had hired someone to reconstruct a pattern from Daniel's private archive.
The same period when I'd begun making my original gown.
Maya read the invoice again.
"Why would he need someone to reconstruct a pattern if he wasn't planning something?""
I stared at the company name.
"Maybe he wanted to sell Daniel's designs.""
Grandma shook her head.
"Not just sell them. He wanted to claim them as his own family's commercial property.""
Elise approached us.
"May I see that?""
Maya handed her the invoice.
Elise studied the details.
"Where did this come from?""
"Brianna dropped it.""
Elise examined the company name.
"Atelier Restoration Group. I know this firm.""
"Are they legitimate?"" I asked.
"They restore historical garments and reproduce damaged patterns. But they require documentation proving ownership before accepting private archive work.""
Grandma looked troubled.
"Daniel's archive was never available for commercial restoration.""
Elise nodded.
"That's precisely what concerns me.""
She took out her phone.
"I want the person who handled this commission identified before the competition continues.""
My father appeared beside us.
"That's a private invoice.""
Elise turned.
"Richard, did you hire this company?""
He looked at the paper.
Then he shrugged.
"I have no obligation to discuss my business arrangements with you.""
Grandma stepped forward.
"You used your brother's private designs without permission.""
"Those designs were abandoned.""
"They were left to the family.""
"And the family needs money!""
The words burst out of him.
Everyone went silent.
My father seemed to realize what he'd said.
He lowered his voice.
"Daniel left behind a collection that nobody was using. I was trying to create something valuable from it.""
"By stealing from your daughter?"" Grandma asked.
He pointed at me.
"She has no idea how expensive the fashion industry is. She thinks making a pretty dress is enough.""
I felt my face burn.
"Then why didn't you help me learn?""
He looked away.
"I did what I thought was best.""
"No. You did what made you money.""
For once, he had no immediate response.
Elise handed the invoice to her assistant.
"We need to contact this restoration company.""
Before anyone could move, Brianna returned.
Her face was flushed.
"Why is everyone talking about my dress?""
Elise held up the invoice.
"Do you know this company?""
Brianna glanced at it.
"No.""
"Did you work with anyone to reconstruct the gown?""
"My mother handled the repairs.""
Vanessa appeared behind her.
"That's right. I found a seamstress.""
Elise asked, "What was her name?""
Vanessa hesitated.
"Why?""
"Because we need to verify the work.""
Vanessa folded her arms.
"I don't remember.""
Brianna looked at her mother.
For a split second, something passed between them.
Fear.
I noticed it.
So did Maya.
Elise turned to her assistant.
"Find the original repair order. Contact the company directly.""
Then she looked at me.
"Nia, I have a question. When Brianna first tried on your gown, had you completed the embroidery?""
"Yes.""
"Was the butterfly pattern part of the original construction?""
"No. My original gown was a completely different design. The butterfly pattern is on the new gown.""
Elise looked thoughtful.
"Then someone must have obtained the pattern independently.""
I nodded.
"I think my father had access to Uncle Daniel's archive.""
Grandma's expression darkened.
"Richard, did you take Daniel's leather portfolio from my house?""
He didn't answer.
"Richard!""
He finally spoke.
"I borrowed it.""
"You never returned it.""
"I was going to.""
"After selling the designs?""
My father clenched his jaw.
"You don't understand what I was dealing with.""
Grandma looked devastated.
"I trusted you.""
He turned away.
The assistant returned several minutes later with a phone number.
"I reached the restoration company. They confirmed the invoice, but the person who handled the commission isn't answering.""
Elise frowned.
"Can they provide the delivery records?""
"They're checking.""
Then my phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice spoke quickly.
"Is this Nia Carter?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Evelyn Price. I repaired the original gown your stepsister is wearing.""
My heart jumped.
"How did you get my number?""
"Your grandmother gave it to the company when she contacted us about the missing archive.""
I looked at Grandma.
She nodded.
Evelyn continued.
"I need to tell you something before the judges make their decision.""
"What?""
"The gown I repaired wasn't originally damaged by accident.""
I froze.
"What do you mean?""
"The first time I saw it, the internal construction had been deliberately cut. Someone had removed the original pattern pieces and replaced them with sections from an older design.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"Who brought it to you?""
"Your stepmother.""
Vanessa immediately turned toward me.
"What is she saying?""
I ignored her.
"Did she tell you the dress belonged to Brianna?""
Evelyn hesitated.
"She told me it was a family heirloom that needed urgent restoration. But I recognized the pattern from the private archive photographs I'd seen during another project.""
Elise leaned closer.
"Ms. Price, this is Elise Monroe. Can you explain what you found?""
Evelyn sounded relieved.
"Yes. I kept photographs of the original condition because the construction was unusual. I also kept the replacement pattern pieces.""
Elise's expression sharpened.
"Can you bring them to the convention center?""
"Already on my way.""
The call ended.
I looked at Vanessa.
Her face had lost its color.
Brianna stepped backward.
"Mom, what's happening?""
Vanessa grabbed her arm.
"Nothing. We're leaving.""
Elise moved between them and the exit.
"Nobody is leaving until the evidence has been secured.""
My father suddenly raised his voice.
"This has gone far enough!""
Then he pointed at Evelyn's incoming contact information still displayed on my phone.
"Do you have any idea who that woman really is?""
I frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
He looked at Elise.
"Ask her why she was fired from Daniel's studio.""
Elise went completely still.
Grandma whispered, "Richard, don't.""
But my father continued.
May you like
"That woman wasn't just a seamstress. She was the last person to see Daniel's original butterfly collection before it disappeared.""
And suddenly, the woman who had called to help me might have been the person who stole the designs in the first place.
