Chapter 3: A Name on the Wrong Application
At 9:15 the next morning, Daniel Carter drove Nia to the showcase office.
He had taken the morning off work after hearing about the verification meeting.
Nia sat in the passenger seat with her sketchbook on her lap and a folder containing every receipt and photograph she could find.
Her father glanced at her.
“Are you nervous?””
“A little.””
“You don't have anything to hide.””
Nia looked out the window.
“Mom thinks I'm trying to ruin Brianna's future.””
Daniel tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“Your sister's future isn't your responsibility.””
“But Mom says everything will fall apart if I tell the judges the truth.””
“Then perhaps everything should fall apart.””
Nia turned toward him.
He kept his eyes on the road.
“I should have stood up for you sooner,” he said quietly.
She didn't know what to say.
At the next red light, Daniel reached across and squeezed her shoulder.
“I'm proud of you, sweetheart.””
For the first time in months, Nia believed him.
The Rising Stars office occupied the top floor of a modern building downtown.
Glass walls overlooked a busy avenue. Large photographs of previous winners lined the reception area.
Some wore dramatic evening gowns. Others displayed structured jackets, experimental fabrics, and sculptural dresses.
Nia stopped in front of one photograph.
A young Black woman stood on a runway wearing a silver gown with enormous architectural sleeves.
A plaque beneath the image read:
2023 Rising Stars Winner — Amara Ellis.
Nia studied the photograph.
“That's beautiful,” she whispered.
Daniel smiled.
“Maybe one day your picture will be there.””
A receptionist approached.
“Are you Nia Carter?””
“Yes.””
“Ms. Hayes is expecting you.””
They were escorted into a conference room.
Rebecca Hayes, a woman in her forties with short blond hair and rectangular glasses, stood beside a long table.
She shook Daniel's hand before greeting Nia.
“Thank you for coming.””
On the table sat two large folders.
One had Nia's name.
The other had Brianna's.
Nia looked at the second folder.
“Is she here?””
Rebecca nodded.
“Your sister arrived twenty minutes ago.””
At that moment, the door opened.
Brianna entered wearing a cream blazer, tailored trousers, and expensive-looking heels.
Vanessa followed her.
Brianna's expression changed when she saw Nia.
“You came?””
Nia looked at her.
“I was invited.””
Vanessa placed a hand on Brianna's shoulder.
“We're here to resolve a misunderstanding.””
Rebecca gestured toward the chairs.
“Please sit.””
Brianna took the seat closest to the table.
Vanessa sat beside her.
Daniel and Nia sat opposite them.
Rebecca opened the first folder.
“Nia, could you explain your claim?””
Nia took a breath.
“I designed the turquoise gown eleven months ago. I bought the fabric, drafted the pattern, and constructed the garment myself.””
Brianna rolled her eyes.
Rebecca looked at her.
“Please allow your sister to finish.””
Nia continued.
“My application includes photographs from the first day I started. I also have dated progress pictures, purchase receipts, and my original sketches.””
She placed the folder on the table.
Rebecca examined the photographs.
The first showed Nia sitting on her bedroom floor surrounded by turquoise fabric.
The second showed the bodice pinned to a dress form.
The third showed the nearly completed gown.
Rebecca studied the dates.
“These are helpful.””
Nia handed her the receipts.
Rebecca examined those, too.
Then she opened the sketchbook.
“This is the original design?””
“Yes.””
“And you created the embroidery placement?””
“Yes.””
Rebecca turned toward Brianna.
“Do you have comparable documentation?””
Brianna opened her handbag.
“Of course.””
She produced a portfolio.
Inside were glossy photographs of the turquoise gown.
Several pages showed close-up images of the crystals, sleeves, and train.
Rebecca studied them.
“These photographs appear to have been taken recently.””
Brianna smiled.
“I completed the final design last week.””
Nia stared at her.
“You didn't.””
Vanessa leaned forward.
“Nia.””
Rebecca raised her hand.
“Let's keep this professional.””
She turned another page.
“Brianna, do you have preliminary sketches?””
Brianna hesitated.
“Most of my ideas were developed digitally.””
“Can you provide the original files?””
“Yes.””
“Construction notes?””
“Some.””
“Fabric purchase records?””
Brianna looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa answered for her.
“We purchased the materials together.””
Rebecca nodded.
“Do you have receipts?””
Vanessa opened her handbag.
She produced several receipts.
Nia looked at them.
Her stomach tightened.
One was from a fabric store she recognized.
It was dated two weeks earlier.
The amount was more than six hundred dollars.
But the turquoise silk had been purchased eleven months before.
Rebecca noticed the discrepancy.
“Brianna, are these materials for the same garment?””
Brianna nodded.
“Yes.””
“Then why were they purchased two weeks ago?””
Brianna looked uncomfortable.
“I bought additional fabric for alterations.””
Nia shook her head.
“The original fabric was purchased last year.””
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
“Stop interrupting.””
Daniel turned toward his wife.
“She has the right to answer questions about her own work.””
Vanessa stared at him.
Rebecca closed the folder.
“I'd like to inspect the physical garment before making any determination.””
Brianna nodded quickly.
“Of course.””
Then Rebecca looked at Nia.
“Do you have the garment with you?””
Nia's face fell.
“No. My mother has possession of it.””
Rebecca looked toward Vanessa.
“Can you arrange for it to be brought here?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“It's currently being prepared for the showcase.””
“We need to examine the interior construction and the embroidery.””
“That's unnecessary.””
Rebecca's expression remained calm.
“I'm afraid it isn't.””
Brianna leaned toward her mother and whispered.
Vanessa looked at Rebecca.
“Could we have until tomorrow?””
Rebecca considered it.
“Tomorrow morning. Ten o'clock.””
The meeting ended.
Outside the building, Brianna caught up with Nia near the elevators.
“You really think you're going to win this?””
Nia turned.
“I just want my name on my work.””
Brianna laughed.
“You don't understand how these things work.””
“What does that mean?””
Brianna stepped closer.
“People don't invest in thirteen-year-old girls who sew in their bedrooms. They invest in people who can represent a brand.””
“Then why are you using my dress?””
Brianna's smile vanished.
“Because I can do something with it.””
Nia stared at her.
“You could have asked me.””
“Would you have given it to me?””
“No.””
“Exactly.””
Brianna walked toward the elevator.
Before the doors closed, she looked back.
“Enjoy your little meeting, Nia. It won't change anything.””
That evening, Nia returned home to find the sewing room empty.
The mannequin stood bare.
The turquoise gown was gone.
So was the protective garment bag.
She ran upstairs.
“Mom!””
Vanessa emerged from her bedroom.
“What now?””
“Where's my dress?””
“Brianna took it.””
“Where?””
“She has a professional stylist working on the final presentation.””
Nia felt sick.
“You can't let them alter it before the inspection.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Your sister knows what she's doing.””
“Rebecca specifically asked to inspect the original construction.””
“Then she'll inspect it.””
“When?””
“Tomorrow.””
Nia looked toward the stairs.
“Brianna needs to bring it back.””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Don't tell me how to manage this family.””
Nia turned away.
She went to her room and called Evelyn.
The seamstress answered after two rings.
“Hello, sweetheart.””
“Mrs. Brooks, I need your help.””
Nia explained what had happened.
Evelyn listened without interrupting.
When Nia finished, the woman was silent for several seconds.
Then she asked a question.
“Did you photograph the inside of the dress before your sister took it?””
“Yes.””
“Every seam?””
“Almost every one.””
“Good.””
Nia looked at the photographs on her laptop.
“Why?””
“Because I remember something about that gown.””
“What?””
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“When I examined the bodice yesterday, I saw a small manufacturer's label beneath the lining.””
Nia frowned.
“I didn't put a manufacturer's label there.””
“Exactly.””
Nia's blood ran cold.
“What did it say?””
“I couldn't read the whole thing. But I saw a company name.””
“What company?””
Evelyn hesitated.
“Carter Atelier.””
Nia stared at the screen.
She had never heard of Carter Atelier.
Her family had never owned a fashion company.
May you like
Then Evelyn said something that made Nia stop breathing.
“Sweetheart, I think your mother has been hiding something much bigger than your sister stealing your design.””
