Chapter 2: The Names That Were Never Chosen
By midnight, the Hudson Colors office looked nothing like a place where dreams were supposed to begin.
It looked like a crime scene.
Stacks of applications covered the tables.
Artist statements leaned against coffee cups.
Paint samples, photographs, and sketches surrounded Jada as she sat beneath the flickering office light.
Her bandaged hand rested beside a laptop.
On the screen were two lists.
The official jury selections.
And the names Claire had promoted.
They were different.
Not slightly different.
Completely different.
Jada stared at the names until her eyes hurt.
“Tell me I’m missing something.””
Eleanor sat across from her.
She removed her glasses and rubbed her forehead.
“I wish you were.””
Jada clicked through the documents.
“The jury signed this list three weeks ago.””
“Yes.””
“And Claire changed it.””
“We don’t know that yet.””
Jada looked up.
“Eleanor.””
The older woman sighed.
“We know someone changed it.””
That was the difference.
A responsible accusation required proof.
Jada had spent her entire career demanding fairness.
She could not abandon that principle because she was angry.
Even when anger felt justified.
A knock came at the door.
Theo entered carrying a folder.
“I found something.””
Jada looked at him.
“What?””
“The promotional booklet.””
He placed it on the table.
The cover showed smiling artists from previous years.
Inside were sponsor pages.
And there they were.
The twelve names.
The wrong twelve names.
Claire’s choices.
Jada turned the pages slowly.
“How long has this been printed?””
Theo hesitated.
“Two weeks.””
Jada closed her eyes.
Two weeks.
For two weeks, Claire had been preparing a different reality.
While the jury believed they had selected artists.
While applicants waited.
While Jada prepared an announcement.
Claire had already rewritten the story.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?””
Theo looked down.
“I thought you approved it.””
The sentence hurt.
Not because Theo blamed her.
Because it meant Claire had made the deception look normal.
Jada stood.
“She counted on everyone assuming someone else had checked.””
Eleanor nodded.
“That is how these things happen.””
The next morning, Jada returned to the manor.
Not to apologize.
Not to fight.
To find records.
Claire was already there.
Of course she was.
She stood in the office wearing a different outfit, but the same confidence.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Claire said.
Jada looked around.
“This is where Hudson Colors keeps its residency records.””
“This is my development office.””
“No. This is the office of the venue hosting our program.””
Claire smiled.
“You really think you can turn this into a conspiracy?””
Jada placed the promotional booklet on the desk.
Claire’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Jada noticed.
“Explain these names.””
Claire leaned back.
“The sponsors wanted recognizable artists.””
“The jury chose different people.””
“The jury doesn’t understand publicity.””
Jada stared at her.
“Those artists trusted us.””
Claire shrugged.
“Artists need exposure.””
“No. Artists need honesty.””
Claire laughed quietly.
“You always make everything about morality.””
“And you always make everything about money.””
The room went silent.
Claire stepped closer.
“You think donors care about your little mission statement?””
Jada said nothing.
Claire continued.
“They care about headlines. They care about names people recognize. They care about making sure their investment looks successful.””
“By replacing artists?””
“By improving the program.””
Jada felt something cold settle inside her.
Not anger.
Certainty.
“You didn’t make the program better.””
Claire smiled.
“You’re emotional.””
“No.””
Jada picked up the booklet.
“I’m paying attention.””
Claire’s smile disappeared.
For the first time, Jada saw fear.
Small.
Hidden.
But real.
Claire reached for the booklet.
Jada pulled it away.
“Where are the original files?””
Claire said nothing.
That silence answered more than words.
Before Jada could ask again, her phone rang.
It was Min Seo, the cake designer.
Jada almost didn’t answer.
Then she did.
“Hello?””
Min’s voice was calm.
Too calm.
“Jada, I need you to come back to the manor.””
“Why?””
“I found something in the cleanup.””
Jada looked at Eleanor.
“What did you find?””
A pause.
Then Min answered.
“A document hidden under the dessert table.””
Jada’s stomach tightened.
“What kind of document?””
May you like
Min lowered her voice.
“One that has your signature on it.””
