Chapter 3: The Secret Beneath the Embroidery
At 11:45, I arrived at the Bellamy Fashion Foundation.
The building stood on a quiet Manhattan street, its glass entrance reflecting the pale autumn sky. Inside, marble floors stretched beneath enormous chandeliers.
Designers were moving between display rooms, carrying garment bags and portfolios.
I wore a simple black dress, low heels, and my grandmother's silver pendant.
Maya walked beside me.
"Are you nervous?""
"Terrified.""
"Good. It means you care.""
We approached the reception desk.
A woman in a navy suit looked up.
"Good morning. How can I help you?""
"Nia Carter. I have an appointment with Adrian Bellamy.""
She checked her computer.
"Of course. Mr. Bellamy is expecting you.""
Before she could hand me a visitor badge, I heard a familiar laugh.
Brianna.
She entered through the main doors with my mother and a young man carrying a garment bag.
Brianna was wearing a cream-colored designer outfit, oversized sunglasses, and a smile that suggested she already owned the building.
My mother spotted me.
Her smile vanished.
"What are you doing here?""
I turned.
"Good morning to you too.""
Brianna removed her sunglasses.
"Oh, fantastic. You followed us.""
"I have an appointment.""
She laughed.
"With whom?""
"Mr. Bellamy.""
My mother stepped between us.
"Don't start embarrassing your sister.""
Brianna looked toward the reception desk.
"Excuse me. We're here for the designer showcase. My name is Brianna Carter.""
The receptionist checked her screen.
"Yes, Miss Carter. We have your appointment listed.""
Brianna smiled triumphantly.
Then the receptionist glanced at me.
"And Miss Nia Carter is scheduled for the heritage collection review.""
Brianna's smile faltered.
"The what?""
I said nothing.
My mother grabbed my arm.
"Can we speak privately?""
I gently removed her hand.
"Not here.""
Her expression darkened.
"You've always been difficult.""
Brianna stepped closer.
"Just give us the dress, Nia. You can make another one.""
I looked at her.
"You mean the dress you're wearing?""
She glanced down.
"Yes.""
"Then why don't you make another one?""
Her cheeks reddened.
My mother quickly interrupted.
"Enough. Brianna has an important meeting. We don't have time for your attitude.""
A familiar voice came from behind us.
"Actually, I believe we all have time.""
Adrian Bellamy approached.
He was a tall man in his late sixties, with silver hair and a charcoal suit. His expression was polite, but his eyes were unusually sharp.
He shook my hand.
"Miss Carter. It's good to finally meet you.""
"Thank you for seeing me.""
Then he turned toward my mother and sister.
"Mrs. Carter. Miss Carter.""
My mother immediately smiled.
"Mr. Bellamy. It's such an honor.""
Brianna extended her hand.
"I'm Brianna. I'm thrilled to meet you. I've heard so much about your foundation.""
Adrian shook her hand briefly.
"Indeed.""
He looked at the garment bag.
"Is that the gown?""
Brianna smiled.
"Yes. My latest design.""
Adrian's expression remained unchanged.
"Interesting.""
He turned to me.
"Miss Carter, would you join me?""
My mother stepped forward.
"Actually, Mr. Bellamy, Brianna is the designer. Nia only helped with some of the sewing.""
Adrian looked at her.
"Is that so?""
"Yes. My younger daughter has always had a natural eye for fashion.""
Brianna nodded.
"I designed the concept myself.""
Adrian studied her face.
"Then perhaps you won't mind answering a few questions about the construction.""
"Of course.""
He gestured toward a private examination room.
Inside, a large table stood beneath bright studio lights. Several specialists were waiting.
Adrian invited Brianna to place the gown on a mannequin.
She carefully removed it from the garment bag.
The white fabric shimmered under the lights.
One of the specialists stepped closer.
"Beautiful embroidery.""
Brianna smiled.
"Thank you.""
"Who created the floral arrangement?""
"I did.""
The specialist examined the painted petals.
"Interesting. And the wine-stain restoration?""
Brianna blinked.
"The what?""
Adrian looked at me.
I stepped forward.
"Three days before the submission deadline, red wine was spilled across the waist. I incorporated the damaged area into the floral design.""
The specialist nodded.
"That explains the pigment layering.""
Brianna quickly interrupted.
"Yes. Exactly. That's what I did.""
Adrian didn't react.
Instead, he pointed toward the inner waistline.
"Could we inspect the lining?""
Brianna stiffened.
"Why?""
"Standard procedure.""
She looked at my mother.
My mother nodded.
"Of course. Go ahead.""
The specialist turned the gown inside out.
A few minutes passed.
Then he frowned.
"There's a concealed compartment here.""
My heart began beating faster.
Brianna stepped forward.
"What compartment?""
"May I open it?""
I nodded.
The specialist located the tiny zipper beneath the embroidery and carefully pulled it open.
Inside was a sealed archival sleeve.
He removed it.
My mother leaned closer.
"What is that?""
Adrian took the sleeve and examined the label.
His expression changed.
He looked at Brianna.
"Miss Carter, do you know what this is?""
Brianna shook her head.
"It's probably some of Nia's sewing notes.""
Adrian opened the sleeve.
Inside was a reproduction of my grandmother's original design journal, an authentication certificate, and a small metallic identification tag.
He turned the certificate toward the light.
Then he looked at me.
"Everything is intact.""
I exhaled.
My mother frowned.
"What's intact?""
Adrian placed the certificate on the table.
"This gown is part of the Eleanor Carter Heritage Collection.""
The room became silent.
Brianna laughed nervously.
"That's my grandmother's name.""
"Correct.""
Adrian looked at her.
"Your grandmother's final collection was never sold. The rights were legally transferred to Nia Carter.""
My mother stared at me.
"What?""
Adrian continued.
"The foundation has held the original archival documents for six months. Miss Carter submitted the reconstructed design as part of our heritage innovation competition.""
Brianna shook her head.
"That's impossible.""
Adrian turned to the specialist.
"Please display the original registration record.""
A large screen lit up.
My name appeared beside the design.
Nia Carter.
Underneath it were the submission date, design number, original sketches, and authentication information.
Brianna's face drained of color.
My mother looked from the screen to me.
"You never told us.""
I met her eyes.
"You never asked.""
Brianna stepped toward the gown.
"Wait. So what does this mean?""
Adrian folded his hands.
"It means the dress is legally owned by its registered designer, subject to the terms of the collection agreement.""
"But I'm wearing it.""
"That is a separate issue.""
My mother suddenly became very interested in the certificate.
"Mr. Bellamy, perhaps there's been a misunderstanding.""
Adrian looked at her.
"What misunderstanding?""
"My daughters share everything. Nia was simply helping Brianna prepare the dress.""
I almost laughed.
Maya stepped forward.
"Would you like to see the security footage?""
My mother turned sharply.
"What footage?""
Maya opened her tablet.
The video began playing.
There was my mother removing the gown from the mannequin.
There was Brianna laughing.
There was the argument.
Then came my mother's words.
Giving it to the person who will actually appreciate it.
The room remained silent.
The video continued.
Brianna held the gown against herself.
Really? You're giving it to me?
My mother smiled.
Of course, sweetheart.
The recording ended.
Adrian removed his glasses.
"Mrs. Carter, did you obtain permission from the designer before taking the gown?""
My mother opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Then Brianna spoke.
"This is ridiculous. She's my sister.""
Adrian looked at her.
"That doesn't change ownership.""
My mother turned toward me.
"Nia, tell them this is a family misunderstanding.""
I stared at her.
"You told the foundation Brianna designed the gown.""
"Because she was going to wear it!""
"That's not the same thing.""
My mother stepped closer.
"You are destroying your sister's future.""
I shook my head.
"No, Mom. I'm just refusing to give her mine.""
Adrian looked toward the specialist.
"Please document the condition of the garment.""
Then he turned to me.
"Miss Carter, there is one more matter.""
"What is it?""
He opened a second folder.
"The foundation has received an additional submission connected to your grandmother's collection.""
My stomach tightened.
"What kind of submission?""
He turned the folder around.
A photograph appeared.
It showed another dress.
A deep red evening gown with embroidered silver vines.
I recognized it immediately.
It was my grandmother's second unfinished design.
But I had never submitted it.
Adrian looked directly at me.
"Someone has attempted to register this design under another person's name.""
I stared at the photograph.
Then I read the name printed beneath it.
Brianna Carter.
My sister looked at the screen.
For the first time that morning, she seemed genuinely frightened.
May you like
Because she had stolen more than one dress.
And now the foundation had proof.
