Chapter 8: The Exhibition That Exposed Everyone
Victoria arrived at the Bellamy Foundation the following morning wearing a black tailored suit and a pearl necklace.
She carried a leather portfolio.
She looked exactly as I remembered her.
Elegant.
Composed.
And completely convinced that every room belonged to her.
I stood beside Adrian in the main exhibition hall.
Maya was on my left.
Brianna stood several feet behind us.
My mother hadn't come.
I hadn't spoken to her since the discovery of Daniel's letter.
Victoria approached with a bright smile.
"Nia. You've grown up.""
I didn't return the smile.
"Give me the tag.""
She opened her portfolio.
"Straight to business. I appreciate that.""
She removed the small silver identification tag and placed it on the table.
I looked at it carefully.
The edges were scratched, but the serial number was intact.
"Why did you take it?""
Victoria shrugged.
"I found it.""
"You received it from my mother.""
"Your mother was concerned. She wanted me to examine it.""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Mrs. Hale, the item is part of a registered design authentication system. You had no authorization to possess it.""
Victoria smiled.
"Then I suggest you review the paperwork before making accusations.""
She removed a document.
It was a claim of ownership.
Her name appeared beside several floral patterns from my grandmother's collection.
Adrian scanned the page.
"This is the same claim you submitted earlier.""
"Correct.""
"Your supporting evidence includes photographs taken inside Miss Carter's private studio.""
Victoria's expression remained pleasant.
"She was using my designs.""
I laughed once.
"Your designs?""
Victoria looked at me.
"Your grandmother and I created those patterns together. I have every right to protect my contribution.""
"Then why did you sign away your rights?""
Her smile weakened.
"Excuse me?""
I placed a copy of the original agreement on the table.
"Thirty-one years ago, you transferred your remaining interest in the final collection to Eleanor Carter.""
Victoria glanced at the document.
Then she laughed.
"That agreement was never properly executed.""
Adrian pointed to the signatures.
"Both parties signed it. The payment records are attached.""
Victoria closed her portfolio.
"Money doesn't erase creative contribution.""
"No," I replied.
"But a signed transfer does establish what rights you retained.""
She turned toward Adrian.
"I have no intention of discussing this with an inexperienced designer.""
Adrian remained calm.
"Then perhaps you'd prefer to discuss it with our legal department.""
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
"Be careful, Adrian.""
He didn't move.
"That is generally good advice.""
The exhibition hall doors opened.
A group of journalists entered.
Behind them were several fashion buyers, independent designers, and representatives from the foundation.
The public presentation was scheduled to begin in twenty minutes.
Victoria looked around.
"Wonderful. An audience.""
She raised her voice.
"Perhaps everyone should hear what has happened here.""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Mrs. Hale, this is a private ownership dispute.""
"Not anymore.""
She opened her portfolio and removed a stack of photographs.
"These are my original designs. Eleanor Carter took them, altered a few details, and passed them down to her granddaughter.""
I felt Maya tense beside me.
Victoria continued.
"Nia has built her entire career around stolen work. She even tried to submit these designs as her own.""
A journalist raised her camera.
"Are you saying the Bellamy Foundation accepted stolen designs?""
Victoria smiled.
"I'm saying they were misled.""
I looked at Adrian.
He gave me a small nod.
Then I stepped forward.
"Would you like to see the original documents?""
Victoria laughed.
"Go ahead.""
I placed the partnership agreement on the table.
Then the transfer document.
Then the payment records.
Finally, I placed my grandmother's handwritten letter beside them.
"This collection was created through a partnership between Eleanor Carter and Victoria Hale. Their professional relationship ended when Victoria attempted to claim sole ownership.""
Victoria interrupted.
"That's a lie.""
I continued.
"My grandmother bought out Victoria's remaining interest in the final collection. The payment was documented. The agreement was signed. And the original designs were preserved in a private archive.""
A buyer leaned forward.
"Then why did Victoria file a claim?""
Adrian answered.
"That is currently under legal review.""
Victoria's smile disappeared.
I picked up the silver tag.
"And this identification piece was removed from my gown without permission.""
Victoria folded her arms.
"I returned it.""
"After taking it.""
"Your mother gave it to me.""
"She didn't own it.""
Victoria looked toward the journalists.
"Do you see what I'm dealing with? This girl is emotionally unstable. She's turning a family disagreement into a public scandal.""
I stared at her.
"You're the one who brought the journalists.""
The room went quiet.
Then Brianna stepped forward.
"She's telling the truth.""
Victoria turned.
"What?""
Brianna looked at me.
"I need to say something.""
I didn't move.
She faced the journalists.
"My name is Brianna Carter. I posted photographs of a dress and claimed that I designed it. I didn't.""
My mother wasn't there to interrupt her.
For once, Brianna continued.
"My sister designed it. She created every part of it. I wore it because our mother told me it belonged to me.""
A reporter raised her camera.
"Did you know it was stolen?""
Brianna swallowed.
"I knew Nia didn't want me to take it. I ignored her.""
She looked at me.
"I'm sorry.""
I didn't immediately forgive her.
But I nodded.
"Thank you for telling the truth.""
Victoria laughed sharply.
"How touching. Two sisters suddenly discovering honesty.""
Brianna turned toward her.
"You told me you could make me famous.""
Victoria's expression changed.
"Excuse me?""
"You told Mom that if we gave you the designs, you would introduce me to fashion houses. You said Nia would never find out.""
Victoria's face hardened.
"Be quiet.""
Brianna stepped forward.
"No. I'm done being told what to say.""
She pulled out her phone.
"I have the messages.""
Victoria froze.
Brianna opened a conversation and handed the phone to Adrian.
The messages were clear.
Victoria had asked for photographs of my sketches.
She had instructed my mother to obtain access to the studio.
She had encouraged Brianna to post the gown as her own.
And in one message, she had written:
Once the foundation questions the ownership, Denise will support our claim. Nia has no idea what happened between Eleanor and me.
Adrian read the message twice.
Then he handed the phone to his legal representative.
Victoria's expression had become unreadable.
"This is a private conversation.""
Brianna shook her head.
"You used me.""
Victoria stepped toward her.
"I gave you an opportunity.""
"You gave me someone else's work.""
The journalists were photographing everything now.
Adrian raised his hand.
"That is enough. We will proceed with the scheduled exhibition.""
Victoria turned to me.
"You think you've won?""
I looked at her.
"I think I've finally stopped letting you decide what happens to me.""
She smiled coldly.
"Then perhaps you should ask your father about the money.""
I froze.
"What money?""
Victoria leaned closer.
"Daniel Hale didn't simply disappear. He was involved in Eleanor's business. He knows exactly what happened to the original collection.""
I looked at her.
"What are you talking about?""
Victoria's smile returned.
"Ask him why he never told you about the account.""
Before I could respond, Adrian's assistant approached with a document.
"Mr. Bellamy, the bank has confirmed the archival trust.""
Adrian opened it.
His eyes widened slightly.
Then he looked at me.
"Miss Carter, your grandmother established a financial trust in your name.""
I stared.
"What?""
He turned the document around.
The trust had been created twenty-six years earlier.
Its original value was substantial.
And the listed administrator was Daniel Hale.
Victoria suddenly stopped smiling.
Adrian continued.
"According to the records, the trust has been frozen for years because of an unresolved legal dispute.""
I looked at Victoria.
She had gone pale.
Then Adrian pointed to the final line.
The person who had filed the dispute was not my mother.
It was Victoria Hale.
And the reason was written directly beneath it.
*Disputed beneficiary identity.*
I looked at her.
"What did you do?""
Victoria closed her portfolio.
"Ask your father.""
She turned toward the exit.
May you like
But Adrian's security team was already approaching.
And for the first time, Victoria looked genuinely afraid.
