Chapter 8: The Night the Archive Disappeared
The administrative office was on the second floor.
By the time we arrived, two security officers were standing outside the door.
A third was speaking into a radio.
The office looked as if somebody had searched it in a hurry.
Drawers were open.
Folders lay scattered across the carpet.
A filing cabinet stood with its lock office was on the second floor.
By the time we arrived, two security officers were standing outside the door.
A third was speaking into a radio.
The office looked as if somebody had searched it in a hurry.
Drawers were open.
Folders lay scattered across the carpet.
A filing cabinet stood with its lock broken.
Professor Ellis was waiting near the entrance.
His face was pale.
“Someone accessed the design archive,” he said.
Richard walked inside.
“Who had access?””
“Three administrators, the registrar, and Mrs. Whitmore.””
“Anyone else?””
Professor Ellis hesitated.
“Brianna had temporary access to the office this semester broken.
Professor Ellis was waiting near the entrance.
His face was pale.
“Someone accessed the design archive,” he said.
Richard walked inside.
“Who had access?””
“Three administrators, the registrar, and Mrs. Whitmore.””
“Anyone else?””
Professor Ellis hesitated.
“Brianna had temporary access to the office this semester. She was helping with the graduation exhibition.””
I looked at the empty shelves.
“Where are my records?””
The professor shook his head.
“We don't know.””
Evelyn began photographing the room. She was helping with the graduation exhibition.””
I looked at the empty shelves.
“Where are my records?””
The professor shook his head.
“We don't know.””
Evelyn began photographing the room.
“Don't touch anything until the security team documents it.””
I noticed a small piece of gold thread near the desk.
I crouched.
It was caught beneath the leg of a chair.
I picked it up carefully.
The same pale-gold thread used in my gown.
“Someone from the fitting room came here.
“Don't touch anything until the security team documents it.””
I noticed a small piece of gold thread near the desk.
I crouched.
It was caught beneath the leg of a chair.
I picked it up carefully.
The same pale-gold thread used in my gown.
“Someone from the fitting room came here,” I said.
Richard examined it.
“Possibly.””
Professor Ellis looked toward the hallway.
“Mrs. Whitmore left the auditorium about twenty minutes ago.””
“Where is she now?”” Richard asked.
“I,” I said.
Richard examined it.
“Possibly.””
Professor Ellis looked toward the hallway.
“Mrs. Whitmore left the auditorium about twenty minutes ago.””
“Where is she now?”” Richard asked.
“I haven't seen her.””
A security officer approached.
“Sir, we have footage from the corridor.””
He held up a tablet.
The video showed Vanessa entering the administrative office at 7:18 p.m.
She carried a large haven't seen her.””
A security officer approached.
“Sir, we have footage from the corridor.””
He held up a tablet.
The video showed Vanessa entering the administrative office at 7:18 p.m.
She carried a large black handbag.
At 7:26 p.m., Brianna entered.
She left nine minutes later carrying a rectangular document case.
Then Vanessa returned.
She remained inside for another twelve minutes.
When she finally exited, the black handbag black handbag.
At 7:26 p.m., Brianna entered.
She left nine minutes later carrying a rectangular document case.
Then Vanessa returned.
She remained inside for another twelve minutes.
When she finally exited, the black handbag appeared noticeably fuller.
I stared at the screen.
“They took the records.””
Richard nodded.
“That's what it looks like.””
The security officer switched to another camera.
This time, the footage showed Brianna walking toward the rear parking appeared noticeably fuller.
I stared at the screen.
“They took the records.””
Richard nodded.
“That's what it looks like.””
The security officer switched to another camera.
This time, the footage showed Brianna walking toward the rear parking lot.
She stopped beside a black SUV.
A man opened the driver's door.
I recognized him immediately.
Daniel Carter.
My father.
I stepped closer to the tablet.
“No.””
Richard watched the footage.
The man handed Brianna a large envelope.
She gave him the document case.
Then they exchanged something else.
A small flash drive.
The entire interaction lot.
She stopped beside a black SUV.
A man opened the driver's door.
I recognized him immediately.
Daniel Carter.
My father.
I stepped closer to the tablet.
“No.””
Richard watched the footage.
The man handed Brianna a large envelope.
She gave him the document case.
Then they exchanged something else.
A small flash drive.
The entire interaction lasted less than a minute.
My father had come to Whitmore.
He had met Brianna.
And he had taken the original records.
I felt my knees weaken.
Richard caught my elbow.
“Are you all right?””
I shook lasted less than a minute.
My father had come to Whitmore.
He had met Brianna.
And he had taken the original records.
I felt my knees weaken.
Richard caught my elbow.
“Are you all right?””
I shook my head.
“No. I'm not.””
The security officer enlarged the image.
“Can you identify the man?””
“Yes.””
“Who is he?””
“My father.””
The officer looked at Richard.
“We'll need to preserve this footage and notify the appropriate authorities.””
Richard nodded.
“Please do.””
Then Evelyn's phone my head.
“No. I'm not.””
The security officer enlarged the image.
“Can you identify the man?””
“Yes.””
“Who is he?””
“My father.””
The officer looked at Richard.
“We'll need to preserve this footage and notify the appropriate authorities.””
Richard nodded.
“Please do.””
Then Evelyn's phone rang.
She answered.
Listened.
And suddenly went still.
“What?””
She walked toward the window.
“How much?””
A pause.
“Are you certain?””
She ended the call.
Richard turned.
“What happened?””
Evelyn rang.
She answered.
Listened.
And suddenly went still.
“What?””
She walked toward the window.
“How much?””
A pause.
“Are you certain?””
She ended the call.
Richard turned.
“What happened?””
Evelyn looked at me.
“The Carter Atelier archive has been accessed remotely.””
I stared at her.
“By whom?””
“An unauthorized user.””
“Can they delete the files?””
“They've attempted to transfer them to an external server looked at me.
“The Carter Atelier archive has been accessed remotely.””
I stared at her.
“By whom?””
“An unauthorized user.””
“Can they delete the files?””
“They've attempted to transfer them to an external server.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“Have we secured the backup?””
“Yes. The original archive is intact. But someone has downloaded a significant portion of the digital collection.””
I looked toward the hallway.
“Can we stop them?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Our security team is working on it.””
Then.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“Have we secured the backup?””
“Yes. The original archive is intact. But someone has downloaded a significant portion of the digital collection.””
I looked toward the hallway.
“Can we stop them?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Our security team is working on it.””
Then she added:
“The access credentials were issued under the Whitmore School's institutional account.””
Richard turned toward Professor Ellis.
“Who manages that account?””
“The registrar.””
“Where is she?””
The professor looked around.
“I haven't seen her since the ceremony began.””
Evelyn checked the access log.
“Her credentials were used at she added:
“The access credentials were issued under the Whitmore School's institutional account.””
Richard turned toward Professor Ellis.
“Who manages that account?””
“The registrar.””
“Where is she?””
The professor looked around.
“I haven't seen her since the ceremony began.””
Evelyn checked the access log.
“Her credentials were used at 7:41 p.m.””
I glanced at the clock.
7:58 p.m.
“Can you trace the destination?””
Evelyn nodded.
“It's connected to a private server registered to a company called Whitmore International Ventures.””
Richard stared at her.
“Who owns it?””
She checked.
“ 7:41 p.m.””
I glanced at the clock.
7:58 p.m.
“Can you trace the destination?””
Evelyn nodded.
“It's connected to a private server registered to a company called Whitmore International Ventures.””
Richard stared at her.
“Who owns it?””
She checked.
“Vanessa Whitmore.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
She had created a separate company to receive the stolen designs.
And now she was trying to move the entire archive before anybody could stop her.
Richard immediately called the compliance department.
“Freeze every active transfer associated with WhitmoreVanessa Whitmore.””
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
She had created a separate company to receive the stolen designs.
And now she was trying to move the entire archive before anybody could stop her.
Richard immediately called the compliance department.
“Freeze every active transfer associated with Whitmore International Ventures. Preserve the server records. Notify the relevant authorities.””
He listened.
Then his expression changed.
“What do you mean the account has already been suspended?””
He looked at Evelyn.
International Ventures. Preserve the server records. Notify the relevant authorities.””
He listened.
Then his expression changed.
“What do you mean the account has already been suspended?””
He looked at Evelyn.
She checked her tablet.
“Because of the licensing breach,” she said.
Richard nodded.
“Good.””
But the problem wasn't over.
A security officer hurried into the room.
“Mr. Bennett, we found something else.””
He handed Richard a printed report.
The report contained a record ofShe checked her tablet.
“Because of the licensing breach,” she said.
Richard nodded.
“Good.””
But the problem wasn't over.
A security officer hurried into the room.
“Mr. Bennett, we found something else.””
He handed Richard a printed report.
The report contained a record of the building's electronic access.
One entry stood out.
*Archive Room — Access Granted: 7:52 p.m.*
*Authorized User: Nia Carter.*
I stared at it.
“That wasn't me.””
Richard studied the record.
“Someone used your credentials.””
The officer nodded.
“We're reviewing the camera footage.””
My stomach tightened.
“If somebody used my account, the building's electronic access.
One entry stood out.
*Archive Room — Access Granted: 7:52 p.m.*
*Authorized User: Nia Carter.*
I stared at it.
“That wasn't me.””
Richard studied the record.
“Someone used your credentials.””
The officer nodded.
“We're reviewing the camera footage.””
My stomach tightened.
“If somebody used my account, can they make it look like I stole the files?””
Richard's expression became serious.
“Yes.””
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Which means we need to establish exactly where you were at that time.””
I looked around the room.
“Hannah saw me in the auditorium. Professor Ellis saw me with you. The security cameras—”
“We'll can they make it look like I stole the files?””
Richard's expression became serious.
“Yes.””
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Which means we need to establish exactly where you were at that time.””
I looked around the room.
“Hannah saw me in the auditorium. Professor Ellis saw me with you. The security cameras—”
“We'll collect everything,” Richard assured me.
Then the officer returned with another video.
He played it.
The footage showed a person wearing a black hoodie entering the archive room.
The face was partially hidden.
The person approached the computer terminal collect everything,” Richard assured me.
Then the officer returned with another video.
He played it.
The footage showed a person wearing a black hoodie entering the archive room.
The face was partially hidden.
The person approached the computer terminal.
Typed a password.
Inserted a flash drive.
And began copying files.
Then the person turned slightly.
A familiar bracelet appeared beneath the sleeve.
A gold bracelet with a tiny diamond heart.
I knew.
Typed a password.
Inserted a flash drive.
And began copying files.
Then the person turned slightly.
A familiar bracelet appeared beneath the sleeve.
A gold bracelet with a tiny diamond heart.
I knew that bracelet.
Brianna wore it every day.
I looked at Richard.
“That's her.””
He didn't answer.
The footage continued.
The person removed the hoodie.
Brianna's face appeared clearly.
She looked directly toward the security camera.
Then that bracelet.
Brianna wore it every day.
I looked at Richard.
“That's her.””
He didn't answer.
The footage continued.
The person removed the hoodie.
Brianna's face appeared clearly.
She looked directly toward the security camera.
Then she smiled.
Not nervously.
Not accidentally.
She smiled as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
I felt cold all over.
Richard turned to the security officer.
“Secure the footage.””
The officer nodded.
Evel she smiled.
Not nervously.
Not accidentally.
She smiled as if she knew exactly what she was doing.
I felt cold all over.
Richard turned to the security officer.
“Secure the footage.””
The officer nodded.
Evelyn checked the timestamp.
“Seven fifty-two. That was after she left the auditorium.””
I looked at the screen.
Brianna had copied the archive.
My father had helped her remove the physical documents.
And somebody had deliberately used my credentials.
But why?
I turned toward Richard.
“Where is Brianna now?””
He checked his phone.
“She wasyn checked the timestamp.
“Seven fifty-two. That was after she left the auditorium.””
I looked at the screen.
Brianna had copied the archive.
My father had helped her remove the physical documents.
And somebody had deliberately used my credentials.
But why?
I turned toward Richard.
“Where is Brianna now?””
He checked his phone.
“She was last seen near the parking lot.””
I took out my own phone.
A new message had appeared.
It was from Brianna.
You wanted to destroy my future. Now let's see how you explain the missing designs.
A second message followed.
It contained a photograph.
last seen near the parking lot.””
I took out my own phone.
A new message had appeared.
It was from Brianna.
You wanted to destroy my future. Now let's see how you explain the missing designs.
A second message followed.
It contained a photograph.
My original graduation sketch.
And beneath it, a handwritten note.
The original belongs to whoever has the proof.
I looked at the image.
Then I noticed something in the corner.
A small date stamp.
The date was older than my original submission.
Much older.
I zoomed in.
And suddenly I understood.
The sketch BriMy original graduation sketch.
And beneath it, a handwritten note.
The original belongs to whoever has the proof.
I looked at the image.
Then I noticed something in the corner.
A small date stamp.
The date was older than my original submission.
Much older.
I zoomed in.
And suddenly I understood.
The sketch Brianna had sent wasn't my original design.
It was one of my grandmother's archived drawings.
The same drawing Vanessa had spent years trying to obtain.
I looked at Richard.
“They didn't just steal my gown.””
He nodded slowly.
“They stole theanna had sent wasn't my original design.
It was one of my grandmother's archived drawings.
The same drawing Vanessa had spent years trying to obtain.
I looked at Richard.
“They didn't just steal my gown.””
He nodded slowly.
“They stole the original archive because they want to claim the entire collection.””
I swallowed.
“Then we need to stop them.””
Richard closed his briefcase.
“We will.””
But Evelyn was already looking at another message.
Her face had gone pale.
“Mr. Bennett?””
“What is it?””
“The company server has received a new file.””
She original archive because they want to claim the entire collection.””
I swallowed.
“Then we need to stop them.””
Richard closed his briefcase.
“We will.””
But Evelyn was already looking at another message.
Her face had gone pale.
“Mr. Bennett?””
“What is it?””
“The company server has received a new file.””
She turned the tablet around.
The file was titled:
*CARTER ATELIER — NEW OWNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT.*
I read the first line.
Then the second.
My name turned the tablet around.
The file was titled:
*CARTER ATELIER — NEW OWNERSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT.*
I read the first line.
Then the second.
My name appeared beneath a statement claiming I had voluntarily transferred control of the company to Brianna Whitmore.
At the bottom was a digital signature.
Mine.
I stared at the screen.
May you like
They weren't just stealing my grandmother's work anymore.
They were trying to steal my inheritance.
