Chapter 4: The Contract That Could Destroy Them
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Richard Bellamy stood in the dressing room, staring at Nia's blue-and-gold gown as though he had just seen a ghost.
Vanessa remained frozen beside the doorway.
Adrian, who had followed her into the room, looked from Richard to the dress and then to the sketchbook in Nia's hands.
"What contract?"" Vanessa finally demanded.
Richard didn't answer.
He stepped closer to Nia.
"Where exactly did you find that design?""
"In my mother's sketchbook.""
"Did she leave you anything else?""
Nia tightened her grip on the notebook.
"Why?""
Richard glanced at Vanessa.
"Because I need to know.""
Vanessa let out a sharp laugh.
"Dad, this is ridiculous. She's a child. You're seriously going to believe that Camille left behind some mysterious collection?""
Richard turned toward his daughter.
"Not another word.""
Vanessa blinked.
"Excuse me?""
"I said not another word.""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Mr. Bellamy, perhaps we should discuss this privately.""
Richard looked at him.
"Why? Is there something you don't want discussed in front of her?""
Adrian's jaw tightened.
Nia watched the adults carefully.
She had never seen Richard Bellamy look frightened before.
But he did now.
His eyes kept returning to the golden embroidery.
"That flower pattern," he murmured.
"The original was supposed to have seven flowers.""
Nia looked down at the bodice.
There were seven.
Richard closed his eyes.
"Dear God.""
Vanessa stepped between them.
"You're embarrassing yourself.""
Richard ignored her.
"Camille was the only person who knew how to construct that pattern.""
Nia swallowed.
"Then why did you let people say she stole designs?""
Richard's expression changed.
He looked at the little girl in front of him.
"I didn't know you had the original.""
"That's not what I asked.""
Silence.
Nia continued.
"My mother wrote that someone took credit for her collection. She said she had evidence. Why?""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"Your mother and I worked together many years ago. She was an exceptional designer. I offered her a position at my company.""
"Was she your employee?""
"No. She was supposed to become a creative partner.""
Vanessa interrupted.
"That's not how I remember it.""
Richard turned.
"You were barely old enough to understand what was happening.""
"I remember her walking out of our studio with a box of sketches.""
"Because I told her to leave.""
Vanessa's mouth fell open.
Nia looked at him.
"Why?""
Richard hesitated.
"Because I made a terrible mistake.""
Before he could explain, Vanessa grabbed Nia's sketchbook.
"Enough. Give me that.""
Nia pulled backward.
"Don't touch it!""
Vanessa yanked the notebook.
Several loose papers scattered across the floor.
Adrian rushed forward.
"Vanessa, stop!""
But Vanessa was already flipping through the pages.
Her eyes moved rapidly.
Then she found the letter.
Her face changed.
"Where did you get this?""
"Give it back!"" Nia shouted.
Vanessa held the letter above her head.
"Did your grandmother give you this?""
Nia tried reaching for it.
Richard caught Vanessa's wrist.
"Give her the letter.""
Vanessa stared at her father.
"You're taking her side?""
"I'm telling you to give it back.""
For the first time, Vanessa seemed genuinely afraid.
She released the letter.
Nia caught it before it reached the floor.
Richard looked toward Denise.
"Can you give us a moment?""
Denise shook her head.
"With respect, Mr. Bellamy, this child has been treated terribly today. I'm not leaving her alone with people who have already threatened her.""
Richard looked surprised.
Then he nodded.
"Fair enough.""
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"This is unbelievable.""
Richard turned toward Nia.
"Please call your grandmother.""
Nia hesitated.
"Why?""
"Because she deserves to hear the truth from me.""
Nia picked up her phone.
Evelyn answered immediately.
"Baby? Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you.""
"Grandma, Mr. Bellamy is here.""
A long silence followed.
Then Evelyn spoke.
"Put him on the phone.""
Richard accepted the device.
"Evelyn.""
His voice was quiet.
"Richard.""
"I need to talk to you.""
"You should have done that twenty years ago.""
Richard lowered his eyes.
"I know.""
"Then why are you calling now?""
"Because Nia has found Camille's original design.""
Evelyn said nothing.
Richard continued.
"She has the Phoenix Gown.""
On the other end, Nia heard her grandmother inhale sharply.
Then Evelyn said five words.
"Do not touch that dress.""
Richard looked at Nia.
"Why?""
"Because it's the only thing Camille finished before she died.""
Richard's face crumpled.
Nia stepped forward.
"Grandma, what happened?""
Evelyn's voice softened.
"Come home after the gala, sweetheart. I'll explain everything.""
"No. I want to know now.""
Another silence.
Then Evelyn said something that made Richard sit down.
"Camille didn't lose that collection, Richard. You know perfectly well that she was forced to give it up.""
Vanessa looked sharply at her father.
"Forced?""
Richard said nothing.
Evelyn continued.
"And if you're standing in front of my granddaughter pretending you have forgotten what happened, I suggest you remember very quickly.""
The call ended.
Nobody spoke.
Then Adrian looked at Richard.
"Sir, perhaps we should get ready for the presentation.""
Richard nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
Vanessa released a breath.
"Finally.""
Richard turned toward her.
"But you're not presenting tonight.""
Her smile vanished.
"What?""
"You heard me.""
"Dad, this is my event!""
"No. It's a charity event. And you're going to explain why you deliberately destroyed another contestant's gown.""
Vanessa stared at him.
Then she looked toward Nia.
"You think you won something?""
Nia didn't respond.
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You have no idea what happens when my family decides someone doesn't belong.""
Richard moved between them.
"That's enough.""
But Vanessa wasn't finished.
She turned toward Adrian.
"Tell him.""
Adrian looked uncomfortable.
"Vanessa...""
"Tell him what we discussed.""
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"What did you discuss?""
Vanessa smiled bitterly.
"Ask Adrian why he agreed to help me keep Camille's old designs out of this competition.""
Adrian went pale.
Nia looked at him.
"You knew about my mother's collection?""
He looked down.
And that was answer enough.
Then a loud announcement came through the hallway speakers.
"All young designers, please report to the main ballroom. The presentation begins in ten minutes.""
Nia looked at the gown.
She had worked too hard to let anyone take this moment away.
She carefully gathered her sketchbook and walked toward the door.
Richard called after her.
"Nia.""
She stopped.
He looked at the dress.
"Your mother would be proud.""
Nia turned around.
"Then help me make sure everyone knows her name.""
Richard nodded.
"I will.""
But as Nia stepped into the hallway, her phone vibrated again.
Another message from the unknown number.
*UNKNOWN:* Don't trust Richard Bellamy. He is the reason your mother lost everything.
A second message appeared.
*UNKNOWN:* And tonight, he's planning to make the same mistake twice.
Nia stared at the screen.
May you like
Then she looked back at Richard.
For the first time, she wondered whether the man who seemed ready to defend her was actually the person she needed to fear most.
