Chapter 8: The## Chapter 8: The Signature That Ex Signature That Exposed Them Both
The auditorium erupted inposed Them Both
The auditorium erupted in whispers.
Vanessa stood beside the front row, staring whispers.
Vanessa stood beside the front row, staring at the document Eleanor Price held in her hands. Her face had gone so pale that the at the document Eleanor Price held in her hands. Her face had gone so pale that the makeup on her cheeks looked almost gray.
For the first time since she makeup on her cheeks looked almost gray.
For the first time since she entered our lives, she looked like someone who had lost control entered our lives, she looked like someone who had lost control of the room.
“That's a private financial document,” she announced.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with of the room.
“That's a private financial document,” she announced.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with this competition.””
Eleanor remained composed.
“Mrs. Vale, the document was this competition.””
Eleanor remained composed.
“Mrs. Vale, the document was submitted because the ownership claim attached to this gown relies on the business entity submitted because the ownership claim attached to this gown relies on the business entity named in these records.””
“Then discuss it privately.””
“We will. named in these records.””
“Then discuss it privately.””
“We will. But we cannot ignore evidence directly related to a contestant's But we cannot ignore evidence directly related to a contestant's claim.””
Vanessa stepped toward the stage.
“I demand to know who gave you those claim.””
Vanessa stepped toward the stage.
“I demand to know who gave you those papers.””
Daniel Whitmore stood beside the judges' table.
“I provided certified copies of documents relevant to my papers.””
Daniel Whitmore stood beside the judges' table.
“I provided certified copies of documents relevant to my client's interests.””
Vanessa stared at him.
“You have no right to interfere in our client's interests.””
Vanessa stared at him.
“You have no right to interfere in our family affairs.””
Mr. Whitmore adjusted his jacket.
“I am acting on behalf of Nia Carter, whose interests family affairs.””
Mr. Whitmore adjusted his jacket.
“I am acting on behalf of Nia Carter, whose interests appear to have been affected by the transactions described in those records.””
The word interests seemed to inf appear to have been affected by the transactions described in those records.””
The word interests seemed to infuriate Vanessa more than any accusation.
“She is a minor,” she snapped.
“She doesn'turiate Vanessa more than any accusation.
“She is a minor,” she snapped.
“She doesn't understand what she's doing.””
I stepped forward.
“I'm standing right here.””
Vanessa turned toward me.
“You have understand what she's doing.””
I stepped forward.
“I'm standing right here.””
Vanessa turned toward me.
“You have no idea what these documents mean.””
“Then explain them.””
Her mouth tightened.
“You have been manipulated by people no idea what these documents mean.””
“Then explain them.””
Her mouth tightened.
“You have been manipulated by people who want to destroy your father.””
I looked at the document in Eleanor's hands.
“Did who want to destroy your father.””
I looked at the document in Eleanor's hands.
“Did you sign it?””
She hesitated.
Just long enough.
Then she lifted you sign it?””
She hesitated.
Just long enough.
Then she lifted her chin.
“I signed many business documents. That doesn't mean I know what every page contains.””
Mr. Whitmore opened her chin.
“I signed many business documents. That doesn't mean I know what every page contains.””
Mr. Whitmore opened his briefcase.
“This particular document is a transfer authorization. It identifies Carter his briefcase.
“This particular document is a transfer authorization. It identifies Carter Creative Holdings as the recipient of funds originally held in a protected trust established for Nia Carter.””
The room Creative Holdings as the recipient of funds originally held in a protected trust established for Nia Carter.””
The room became so quiet that I could hear the ventilation system humming above the stage.
He continued.
“The transfer occurred became so quiet that I could hear the ventilation system humming above the stage.
He continued.
“The transfer occurred approximately fourteen months ago. Both Marcus Carter and Vanessa Vale signed the authorization.””
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“This is absurd approximately fourteen months ago. Both Marcus Carter and Vanessa Vale signed the authorization.””
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“This is absurd. Marcus managed the finances. I was simply helping him.””
“Did you receive money from the company. Marcus managed the finances. I was simply helping him.””
“Did you receive money from the company?”” Mr. Whitmore asked.
“That is none of your business.””
“It becomes relevant if the funds?”” Mr. Whitmore asked.
“That is none of your business.””
“It becomes relevant if the funds were used to finance a business claiming ownership of another person's intellectual property.””
Vanessa turned toward the audience.
“Everyone needs were used to finance a business claiming ownership of another person's intellectual property.””
Vanessa turned toward the audience.
“Everyone needs to understand that Nia has been difficult for years. She has always resented my daughter to understand that Nia has been difficult for years. She has always resented my daughter. She has spent months trying to undermine Brianna because she cannot accept that someone else might succeed.””
I. She has spent months trying to undermine Brianna because she cannot accept that someone else might succeed.””
I looked at her.
“You destroyed my mother's photograph. You told me her savings looked at her.
“You destroyed my mother's photograph. You told me her savings were gone. You let Brianna ruin my dress. And now you're telling everyone I'm jealous?””
Vanessa's face reddened.
“I were gone. You let Brianna ruin my dress. And now you're telling everyone I'm jealous?””
Vanessa's face reddened.
“I never destroyed anything!””
“You threw Mom's photograph into a box in the garage.””
“That was never destroyed anything!””
“You threw Mom's photograph into a box in the garage.””
“That was a decorating decision!””
“You hit me when I asked about my dress.””
“I was trying a decorating decision!””
“You hit me when I asked about my dress.””
“I was trying to discipline you!””
The words escaped before she could stop them.
A murmur rip to discipline you!””
The words escaped before she could stop them.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Vanessa froze.
I felt my pulsepled through the crowd.
Vanessa froze.
I felt my pulse hammering in my throat.
“You just admitted it,” I whispered.
Her expression changed instantly hammering in my throat.
“You just admitted it,” I whispered.
Her expression changed instantly.
“I did not mean—”
“Enough,” Eleanor said firmly.
“This is not the place to settle every personal.
“I did not mean—”
“Enough,” Eleanor said firmly.
“This is not the place to settle every personal dispute. The committee will suspend the award decision until the ownership matter is resolved.””
A judge beside dispute. The committee will suspend the award decision until the ownership matter is resolved.””
A judge beside her nodded.
“Neither contestant will be disqualified solely on the her nodded.
“Neither contestant will be disqualified solely on the basis of allegations. We will review the evidence and issue a written decision.””
Brianna had returned to the wings, but she was watching basis of allegations. We will review the evidence and issue a written decision.””
Brianna had returned to the wings, but she was watching us from behind the curtain.
When she heard the word suspend, she rushed back onto the stage.
us from behind the curtain.
When she heard the word suspend, she rushed back onto the stage.
“You can't do that!””
The host tried to stop her.
“Miss Vale, please step back“You can't do that!””
The host tried to stop her.
“Miss Vale, please step back.””
“No! I've spent weeks preparing for this!””
I stared at her.
“You spent weeks preparing to wear my dress.””
“I.””
“No! I've spent weeks preparing for this!””
I stared at her.
“You spent weeks preparing to wear my dress.””
“I did not steal it!””
“Then show them your original sketches.””
She did not steal it!””
“Then show them your original sketches.””
She opened her mouth.
I waited.
“Show them the first version of the design,” I continued.
“Show them the measurements. Show them the photographs from when opened her mouth.
I waited.
“Show them the first version of the design,” I continued.
“Show them the measurements. Show them the photographs from when you started making it.””
Brianna looked toward Vanessa.
Her mother said nothing.
I took a you started making it.””
Brianna looked toward Vanessa.
Her mother said nothing.
I took a step closer.
“Show them anything that proves you designed it.””
Brianna's eyes filled step closer.
“Show them anything that proves you designed it.””
Brianna's eyes filled with tears.
“I didn't have to do all that! Mom said the paperwork was with tears.
“I didn't have to do all that! Mom said the paperwork was enough!””
The audience fell silent again.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Brianna covered enough!””
The audience fell silent again.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Brianna covered her mouth.
She had just said more than either of them intended.
Eleanor slowly set her mouth.
She had just said more than either of them intended.
Eleanor slowly set down her pen.
“Thank you, Miss Vale. That statement will be included in our review.””
Brianna began crying in down her pen.
“Thank you, Miss Vale. That statement will be included in our review.””
Brianna began crying in earnest.
“You don't understand! Mom told me it was okay!””
Vanessa rushed toward her.
“ earnest.
“You don't understand! Mom told me it was okay!””
Vanessa rushed toward her.
“Brianna, stop talking.””
“But you said—”
“Stop!””
Brianna flinBrianna, stop talking.””
“But you said—”
“Stop!””
Brianna flinched.
I watched my stepsister look at her mother, and for one brief moment, I sawched.
I watched my stepsister look at her mother, and for one brief moment, I saw something beneath her anger.
Fear.
She had believed Vanessa's promises.
She had believed that because her something beneath her anger.
Fear.
She had believed Vanessa's promises.
She had believed that because her mother controlled the paperwork, nobody would ever question the truth.
Now she was mother controlled the paperwork, nobody would ever question the truth.
Now she was discovering that a confident lie could collapse faster than a badly sewn seam discovering that a confident lie could collapse faster than a badly sewn seam.
Eleanor called for a short recess.
Guests began leaving their seats,.
Eleanor called for a short recess.
Guests began leaving their seats, filling the aisles with anxious conversations. Photographers lowered their cameras, and the event staff quietly guided contestants away filling the aisles with anxious conversations. Photographers lowered their cameras, and the event staff quietly guided contestants away from the stage.
Mrs. Alvarez found me near the backstage entrance.
“You were magnificent,” from the stage.
Mrs. Alvarez found me near the backstage entrance.
“You were magnificent,” she whispered.
I shook my head.
“I don't feel magnificent.””
She placed both hands on my shoulders.
“You stood in she whispered.
I shook my head.
“I don't feel magnificent.””
She placed both hands on my shoulders.
“You stood in front of a room full of people and told the truth. That takes courage.””
“I just wanted to wear my dress at front of a room full of people and told the truth. That takes courage.””
“I just wanted to wear my dress at graduation.””
“I know.””
I looked down at the repaired gown.
The blue embroidery caught the light.
graduation.””
“I know.””
I looked down at the repaired gown.
The blue embroidery caught the light.
“I wish Mom could see it.””
Mrs. Alvarez's expression softened.
“She“I wish Mom could see it.””
Mrs. Alvarez's expression softened.
“She would have loved what you did with it.””
I swallowed hard.
Then I heard footsteps.
Dad stood would have loved what you did with it.””
I swallowed hard.
Then I heard footsteps.
Dad stood at the end of the corridor.
His tie was crooked, and his eyes were red. He looked at the end of the corridor.
His tie was crooked, and his eyes were red. He looked as though he had aged ten years since I had last seen him.
“Nia,” he said.
Mrs as though he had aged ten years since I had last seen him.
“Nia,” he said.
Mrs. Alvarez moved slightly closer to me.
Dad noticed.
“I just want to speak to my daughter.””
I looked at him.
“You. Alvarez moved slightly closer to me.
Dad noticed.
“I just want to speak to my daughter.””
I looked at him.
“You can speak.””
He glanced at Mrs. Alvarez, who gave me a questioning can speak.””
He glanced at Mrs. Alvarez, who gave me a questioning look.
I nodded.
She stepped away but remained within sight.
Dad lowered his voice.
“I never look.
I nodded.
She stepped away but remained within sight.
Dad lowered his voice.
“I never wanted things to get this far.””
I almost laughed.
“Then why did you sign the documents?””
He looked down.
“I thought I could wanted things to get this far.””
I almost laughed.
“Then why did you sign the documents?””
He looked down.
“I thought I could fix it before anyone found out.””
“Fix what?””
“The money. The business. Everything.””
“Did fix it before anyone found out.””
“Fix what?””
“The money. The business. Everything.””
“Did you know Vanessa was using my design?””
He hesitated.
“I knew she wanted Brianna to have an original you know Vanessa was using my design?””
He hesitated.
“I knew she wanted Brianna to have an original gown.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
The gown.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
He closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
The word seemed to drain the air from the corridor.
I gripped the garment bag.
“When word seemed to drain the air from the corridor.
I gripped the garment bag.
“When did you know?””
“Several weeks ago.””
“Before Brianna ruined the dress?””
He nodded.
“And did you know?””
“Several weeks ago.””
“Before Brianna ruined the dress?””
He nodded.
“And you let her do it?””
“No. I didn't know she would damage it.””
“But you knew she was you let her do it?””
“No. I didn't know she would damage it.””
“But you knew she was going to claim it.””
He looked away.
“Yes.””
I stared at him.
“How could you do going to claim it.””
He looked away.
“Yes.””
I stared at him.
“How could you do that to me?””
He rubbed his hands together.
“Vanessa told that to me?””
He rubbed his hands together.
“Vanessa told me the competition would create opportunities for Brianna. She said the business needed publicity, and that the design could help me the competition would create opportunities for Brianna. She said the business needed publicity, and that the design could help us recover some of the money.””
“What money?””
He swallowed.
“The money from your mother's trust.””
I us recover some of the money.””
“What money?””
He swallowed.
“The money from your mother's trust.””
I felt sick.
“So you were going to use my design to win back the felt sick.
“So you were going to use my design to win back the money you took from me?””
“I was trying to restore it.””
“With my work?””
“I thought if the gown won, we could repay the money you took from me?””
“I was trying to restore it.””
“With my work?””
“I thought if the gown won, we could repay the trust.””
I stared at him in disbelief.
“You could have told me.””
“I was ashamed.””
“You could trust.””
I stared at him in disbelief.
“You could have told me.””
“I was ashamed.””
“You could have asked me to help.””
“I thought you'd refuse.””
“Of course I would have refused! have asked me to help.””
“I thought you'd refuse.””
“Of course I would have refused! You were stealing from me!””
He flinched.
I felt tears burn my eyes, but I refused to look You were stealing from me!””
He flinched.
I felt tears burn my eyes, but I refused to look away.
“Did you ever think about what Mom would say?””
His face crumpled.
“Every day.””
“ away.
“Did you ever think about what Mom would say?””
His face crumpled.
“Every day.””
“Then why didn't you stop?””
He had no answer.
I turned toward the backstage area.
“NThen why didn't you stop?””
He had no answer.
I turned toward the backstage area.
“Nia, please.””
I stopped.
He took a shaky breath.
“Your mother loved me. Sheia, please.””
I stopped.
He took a shaky breath.
“Your mother loved me. She trusted me. I know I've failed you, but I need you to understand that I never stopped loving you trusted me. I know I've failed you, but I need you to understand that I never stopped loving you.””
I looked at him.
“Love isn't a reason to hurt someone.””
He lowered his head.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked, “What.””
I looked at him.
“Love isn't a reason to hurt someone.””
He lowered his head.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked, “What happened the night Mom died?””
His head lifted.
I watched the color drain from his happened the night Mom died?””
His head lifted.
I watched the color drain from his face.
“I told you what happened.””
“No. You told me you argued and went home. You never explained face.
“I told you what happened.””
“No. You told me you argued and went home. You never explained why Mom was frightened, why Vanessa wanted her designs, or why you signed those papers.””
He glanced toward the auditorium.
why Mom was frightened, why Vanessa wanted her designs, or why you signed those papers.””
He glanced toward the auditorium.
“Nia, not here.””
“Then where?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“I'll“Nia, not here.””
“Then where?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“I'll tell you everything. I promise.””
I shook my head.
“You've made enough promises.””
I tell you everything. I promise.””
I shook my head.
“You've made enough promises.””
I walked away.
Behind me, he whispered my name.
I didn't turn around.
The walked away.
Behind me, he whispered my name.
I didn't turn around.
The next hour passed in a blur of interviews and private discussions. Eleanor asked me to provide a next hour passed in a blur of interviews and private discussions. Eleanor asked me to provide a written account of how the gown had been constructed. Mr.
Whitmore collected copies written account of how the gown had been constructed. Mr. Whitmore collected copies of the trust documents, while Mrs. Alvarez helped me photograph the repaired garment from every angle.
At of the trust documents, while Mrs. Alvarez helped me photograph the repaired garment from every angle.
At 8:15 p.m., Eleanor invited us back into the auditorium.
The contestants sat in the 8:15 p.m., Eleanor invited us back into the auditorium.
The contestants sat in the first two rows.
Vanessa sat beside Brianna, holding her daughter's hand so tightly that Brianna win first two rows.
Vanessa sat beside Brianna, holding her daughter's hand so tightly that Brianna winced.
Dad sat alone near the back.
Eleanor stood at the judges' table.
“Afterced.
Dad sat alone near the back.
Eleanor stood at the judges' table.
“After reviewing the evidence currently available, the committee has reached a preliminary determination regarding the disputed gown.””
My reviewing the evidence currently available, the committee has reached a preliminary determination regarding the disputed gown.””
My heart hammered.
“The committee recognizes Nia Carter as the original designer of the garment submitted under heart hammered.
“The committee recognizes Nia Carter as the original designer of the garment submitted under her name. The evidence supports her claim of authorship and demonstrates that the design existed her name. The evidence supports her claim of authorship and demonstrates that the design existed before the competing public submission.””
A wave of applause filled the auditorium.
I covered before the competing public submission.””
A wave of applause filled the auditorium.
I covered my mouth.
Mrs. Alvarez squeezed my hand.
Eleanor continued.
“Because the ownership dispute affected the integrity of the competition, the judges my mouth.
Mrs. Alvarez squeezed my hand.
Eleanor continued.
“Because the ownership dispute affected the integrity of the competition, the judges have decided that the disputed garment will not be eligible for the main prize under Brianna Vale's submission.””
Brianna began have decided that the disputed garment will not be eligible for the main prize under Brianna Vale's submission.””
Brianna began crying.
Vanessa stood.
“This is outrageous!””
A security staff crying.
Vanessa stood.
“This is outrageous!””
A security staff member approached her.
Eleanor raised her voice.
“The committee will also review whether the submission member approached her.
Eleanor raised her voice.
“The committee will also review whether the submission involved deliberate misrepresentation. We will not make a final determination on that question tonight involved deliberate misrepresentation. We will not make a final determination on that question tonight.””
I exhaled slowly.
It wasn't everything.
My father's financial conduct still needed investigation.””
I exhaled slowly.
It wasn't everything.
My father's financial conduct still needed investigation. The money had not been returned. And the question of what had happened before my mother's death remained unanswered.
But for the first time, an. The money had not been returned. And the question of what had happened before my mother's death remained unanswered.
But for the first time, an official body had looked at my work and recognized it as mine.
Then Eleanor turned toward me.
“Nia Carter, the judges official body had looked at my work and recognized it as mine.
Then Eleanor turned toward me.
“Nia Carter, the judges would like to invite you to present your repaired design as an exhibition piece.””
I stared at her.
“Really would like to invite you to present your repaired design as an exhibition piece.””
I stared at her.
“Really?””
“Yes. Your craftsmanship and response to the damage have impressed the panel. This?””
“Yes. Your craftsmanship and response to the damage have impressed the panel. This presentation will not determine the ownership investigation, but we believe your work deserves to be presentation will not determine the ownership investigation, but we believe your work deserves to be seen.””
I looked at Mrs. Alvarez.
She was already crying.
I stepped onto the stage.
The music began.
seen.””
I looked at Mrs. Alvarez.
She was already crying.
I stepped onto the stage.
The music began.
I walked beneath the lights wearing the gown I had rebuilt from the remains of my dream.
The blue embroidery shimmerI walked beneath the lights wearing the gown I had rebuilt from the remains of my dream.
The blue embroidery shimmered.
The skirt moved around my legs.
And for the first time, I wasn't thinking about Vanessaed.
The skirt moved around my legs.
And for the first time, I wasn't thinking about Vanessa or Brianna or the money my father had taken.
I was thinking about my mother.
About the way she had taught me to hold or Brianna or the money my father had taken.
I was thinking about my mother.
About the way she had taught me to hold a needle.
About the evenings I had spent watching her hands move across fabric.
About the words she had written to me years before I understood why I would need them.
* a needle.
About the evenings I had spent watching her hands move across fabric.
About the words she had written to me years before I understood why I would need them.
Never let anyone convince you that your talent belongs to them.
When I reached the end of the runway, I turned.
The audience roseNever let anyone convince you that your talent belongs to them.*
When I reached the end of the runway, I turned.
The audience rose to its feet.
The applause was thunderous.
I smiled through my tears.
And then, from to its feet.
The applause was thunderous.
I smiled through my tears.
And then, from the front row, I heard a voice.
“That's not even the worst thing she stole!””
Everyone the front row, I heard a voice.
“That's not even the worst thing she stole!””
Everyone turned.
Brianna was standing beside her mother.
Her face was streaked with mascara, turned.
Brianna was standing beside her mother.
Her face was streaked with mascara, and her hands were shaking.
Vanessa grabbed her arm.
“Sit down.””
Brianna pulled away.
“No!””
She and her hands were shaking.
Vanessa grabbed her arm.
“Sit down.””
Brianna pulled away.
“No!””
She looked directly at me.
“You want everyone to know the truth? Fine! I'll tell them looked directly at me.
“You want everyone to know the truth? Fine! I'll tell them!””
Vanessa's expression turned murderous.
“Brianna, don't you dare.””
!””
Vanessa's expression turned murderous.
“Brianna, don't you dare.””
But Brianna was already reaching into her handbag.
She pulled out a folded sheet of paper.
“I found this in Mom's office last week,” she said.
“I wasn'tBut Brianna was already reaching into her handbag.
She pulled out a folded sheet of paper.
“I found this in Mom's office last week,” she said.
“I wasn't supposed to see it.””
Dad stood abruptly at the back of the auditorium.
“Brianna, put supposed to see it.””
Dad stood abruptly at the back of the auditorium.
“Brianna, put that away.””
She unfolded the paper.
Then she looked at me with an that away.””
She unfolded the paper.
Then she looked at me with an expression I had never seen before.
Not jealousy.
Not hatred.
Something closer to desperation.
“Nia,” she whispered, “ expression I had never seen before.
Not jealousy.
Not hatred.
Something closer to desperation.
“Nia,” she whispered, “I think your mother knew what was going to happen to her.””
The room fell silent.
And asI think your mother knew what was going to happen to her.””
The room fell silent.
And as Brianna held up the document, I saw my father's signature at the bottom.
Alongside a date.
Brianna held up the document, I saw my father's signature at the bottom.
May you like
Alongside a date.
*The day before my mother died.*
