Chapter 6: The Missing Signature
Nia's grandmother had never looked happier.
She sat at a table near the front of the ballroom, holding Nia's hand while guests stopped by to congratulate them.
Photographers requested pictures.
Fashion journalists asked questions.
Eleanor Hayes returned twice to examine the gown.
For the first time, Nia heard adults discussing her work as though it mattered.
But something was still bothering her.
Richard had admitted that Camille designed the original collection.
He had apologized publicly.
Yet he hadn't explained why her mother had been forced to leave.
And the unknown messages continued to trouble her.
When the event's applause finally settled, Nia excused herself from the table.
"Grandma, can we talk?""
Evelyn immediately noticed her expression.
"Of course, sweetheart.""
They walked toward a quiet balcony overlooking the hotel gardens.
The night air was cool.
Music drifted through the ballroom doors.
Nia held the old letter in both hands.
"Grandma, I found something in Mom's sketchbook.""
Evelyn looked at the envelope.
"Show me.""
Nia handed it over.
Evelyn read the letter slowly.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"She kept it.""
"Why didn't you tell me about the collection?""
Evelyn folded the paper carefully.
"Because your mother wanted you to have a childhood without carrying the weight of what happened to her.""
"But Vanessa said Mom stole designs.""
Evelyn shook her head.
"Vanessa was a little girl when this began. She repeated what she heard from her father.""
"What really happened?""
Evelyn sat down on a nearby bench.
Nia joined her.
"Your mother was twenty-four when Richard approached her. She had already started building a small reputation for herself. Her designs were unlike anything people had seen.""
"Was she working for him?""
"Not exactly. They agreed to collaborate. Camille would create the collection, and Richard would provide the materials, production facilities, and marketing.""
"So they were partners?""
"That was the agreement.""
Evelyn paused.
"Your mother was supposed to receive a percentage of the profits and retain ownership of her original patterns.""
Nia looked down.
"Then what happened?""
"Richard's company began selling the collection. But when Camille asked for her payment, they told her that the agreement had been changed.""
"Changed how?""
"They produced a contract with a signature that looked like hers. It said she had transferred all rights to the Bellamy company.""
Nia's eyes widened.
"But she didn't sign it?""
"No. Your mother swore she never did.""
"Did she try to fight them?""
Evelyn nodded.
"She hired a lawyer. She collected letters, sketches, and receipts. But the Bellamys had money, influence, and a team of lawyers.""
Evelyn looked toward the ballroom.
"One afternoon, Camille received a threat. If she continued challenging the company, they would accuse her of stealing designs from them.""
Nia's hands clenched.
"That's horrible.""
"It was. She eventually gave up the legal fight because she was exhausted. She wanted to raise you in peace.""
Nia leaned against her grandmother.
"Did Mom ever find the original contract?""
Evelyn hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag.
"I kept something for you.""
She removed a small brass key.
Nia looked at it.
"What is that?""
"Your mother's old storage locker key.""
"Storage locker?""
"At the studio she rented before you were born. She kept boxes of sketches and business documents there.""
Nia stared at the key.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I promised your mother I wouldn't open it unless you were old enough to understand what was inside.""
Nia's voice softened.
"Am I old enough now?""
Evelyn smiled sadly.
"I think you've been old enough for a long time.""
Before Nia could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Mrs. Carter.""
Richard stood at the balcony entrance.
Evelyn immediately stood.
"What do you want?""
Richard held his hands open.
"Five minutes.""
"You've had twenty years.""
"I know.""
Nia stepped forward.
"I want to hear what you have to say.""
Richard nodded.
He approached slowly.
"Your mother was the most talented person I ever worked with. But I was ambitious, and I wanted the Bellamy company to become internationally recognized.""
Evelyn crossed her arms.
"So you stole from her.""
Richard looked down.
"Yes.""
Nia asked, "Why did you let the false contract stand?""
Richard's expression tightened.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
"Of losing everything I had built.""
Nia stared at him.
"You let my mother lose everything instead.""
Richard had no answer.
Then he reached inside his jacket and removed a small black envelope.
"I found this in my office after Camille died.""
Evelyn frowned.
"What's that?""
"A letter.""
He handed it to Nia.
The envelope was sealed.
Her mother's handwriting appeared across the front.
For Richard Bellamy. If you ever decide to tell the truth.
Nia opened it.
Inside was a single page.
Richard,
I know what you did. I know about the altered contract, the missing pages, and the signatures that appeared after I left.
I also know that you weren't the only person involved.
There was someone in your office who helped create the false agreement.
I have the original proof.
If you ever want to make things right, stop protecting the person who betrayed both of us.
Nia read the final line twice.
Look at the date on the blue folder. That's when everything changed.
She looked up.
"What's the blue folder?""
Richard's face had become pale.
"I don't know.""
Evelyn took the letter.
"You're telling me you kept this for three years without investigating?""
Richard lowered his head.
"I was ashamed.""
Nia stepped back.
"You're still hiding something.""
Richard looked at her.
"No. I swear I am not.""
But before he could say more, Nia's phone rang.
It was Denise.
"Hello?""
"Nia, where are you?""
"On the balcony. Why?""
"Listen carefully. I just received a call from security.""
Nia's stomach tightened.
"What happened?""
"Someone entered Mr. Bellamy's private office.""
Richard immediately turned.
"What?""
Denise continued.
"They accessed the filing cabinet.""
Richard pulled out his phone.
"Who?""
Denise hesitated.
Then she said, "Vanessa.""
Richard's expression changed.
"Is anything missing?""
"Security is checking.""
A moment later, Denise spoke again.
"There's another problem.""
Nia looked at Richard.
"What?""
"The original Phoenix collection folder is gone.""
Richard closed his eyes.
Evelyn grabbed Nia's hand.
"Call the police.""
Richard nodded.
"I'll handle it.""
Nia looked at him.
"No.""
He stopped.
"Excuse me?""
"You've handled everything for twenty years. Look where that got us.""
Richard stared at her.
Nia continued.
"If Vanessa took the folder, then we need to find out why she wanted it.""
Richard looked toward the ballroom doors.
"I know where she might go.""
"Where?""
"An old fashion studio on Mercer Street. It belonged to my company before we moved our headquarters.""
Evelyn frowned.
"Why would she go there?""
Richard looked uncomfortable.
"Because that's where the original collection was photographed.""
Nia thought about the mysterious messages.
Then she remembered the unknown sender's warning.
Don't trust Richard Bellamy.
She pulled out her phone and opened the conversation.
Another message had arrived.
*UNKNOWN:* The blue folder isn't the only thing Vanessa stole.
Nia's blood ran cold.
A second message followed.
*UNKNOWN:* She has the original signature page. And if she gets it authenticated first, your mother will be remembered as a fraud.
Nia looked at her grandmother.
"Grandma, I think we need to go.""
Evelyn nodded.
Richard reached for his car keys.
"I'll take you.""
Nia shook her head.
"We're not going anywhere with you until we know the truth.""
Richard looked wounded.
But he didn't argue.
Instead, he handed Evelyn a business card.
"Mercer Street. Building 18. The old studio is on the second floor.""
Evelyn took it.
Then Richard added something quietly.
"There's one more thing you should know.""
Nia turned.
"What?""
Richard looked directly into her eyes.
"The person who forged your mother's signature wasn't Vanessa.""
Nia felt her heart stop.
"Then who was it?""
Richard hesitated.
Before he could answer, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His face went completely white.
The caller ID displayed a name.
*ADRIAN BELLAMY.*
Richard answered.
"Adrian?""
A strained voice came through the speaker.
"Sir, we have a problem.""
"What happened?""
"The original folder is gone.""
"I know. Where is Vanessa?""
Adrian took a shaky breath.
"That's not what I'm calling about.""
Richard's grip tightened around the phone.
"Then what?""
Adrian lowered his voice.
"I found the signature page.""
Nia stepped closer.
"Where?""
There was a long silence.
Then Adrian spoke.
"It's in my possession.""
Richard stared at him.
"Why do you have it?""
Adrian's voice cracked.
"Because I was the one who forged it.""
Evelyn covered her mouth.
Nia felt the floor shift beneath her.
Adrian continued.
"And there's something else. The person who ordered me to do it wasn't Richard.""
He paused.
"It was someone Camille trusted.""
The call suddenly disconnected.
Nia stared at the phone.
Her grandmother's brass key felt cold in her palm.
Someone Camille trusted.
Someone who had helped destroy her mother's career.
Someone who might still be close enough to know exactly where the evidence was hidden.
And as Nia looked toward Evelyn, she noticed something that made her blood run cold.
Her grandmother was crying.
May you like
Not because she was surprised.
Because she already knew who Adrian was talking about.
