Chapter 7: The Woman Who Stole My Mother's Future
Vanessa didn't move.
She stared at the document Elise Monroe had placed on the table as though the paper itself might destroy her.
"That's a private family matter," she finally said.
Elise calmly adjusted her glasses.
"No, Mrs. Bennett. This is a matter involving fraudulent intellectual property transfers, falsified records, and an attempted misrepresentation of an applicant's work. It is very much our concern.""
Vanessa looked at Richard.
"You're really going to let her do this?""
My father didn't answer.
Brianna wiped her cheeks.
"Mom, what is happening?""
Vanessa grabbed her daughter's hand.
"We're leaving.""
Elise stepped aside, but her voice stopped them.
"You're welcome to leave. However, the committee will retain every document, photograph, and recording submitted during this investigation. Our legal department has already been notified.""
Vanessa released Brianna's hand.
"You can't prove anything.""
Elise opened the folder.
"Would you like me to read the original declaration?""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"Don't.""
Elise looked down.
"Twenty-five years ago, Catherine Bennett submitted a collection for consideration under the Monroe Emerging Designer Development Program. During the review period, an employee of the investment company responsible for managing the preliminary licensing negotiations attempted to transfer Catherine's designs into a separate commercial portfolio.""
She paused.
"That employee was Vanessa Cole.""
Brianna looked at her mother.
"Mom?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"This is being twisted.""
Elise continued.
"Ms. Cole used her access to obtain copies of Catherine's original sketches and production notes. Those materials were subsequently presented to an investor under a different designer's name.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Whose name?""
Elise looked at Brianna.
"Her mother's.""
Brianna stepped away.
"Mom, you told me you worked with successful designers. You said you helped them.""
"I did.""
"You said you never stole anything.""
Vanessa grabbed her daughter's shoulders.
"Listen to me. I did what I had to do. Your father was supposed to help us.""
My father looked up sharply.
"What?""
Vanessa realized what she'd said.
But it was too late.
Elise placed another document on the table.
"This is a copy of the original attempted transfer. It contains the name of the proposed beneficiary.""
I leaned forward.
The document showed a company called Cole Creative Holdings.
Below it was the name of the proposed designer.
*Brianna Cole.*
I stared at the page.
Brianna had been a child.
"She wasn't even born when this agreement was prepared," I whispered.
Elise nodded.
"Correct. The company intended to hold the rights until she was old enough to use them.""
My father gripped the table.
"Vanessa, you told me that company was created to protect Catherine's work.""
"It was!""
"You told me the investor had withdrawn.""
"He did!""
"Then why is Brianna's name on the beneficiary agreement?""
Vanessa's voice rose.
"Because I was trying to give our daughter a future!""
I felt something break inside me.
"By stealing my mother's?""
Vanessa turned toward me.
"Your mother had everything! Talent, recognition, a husband who worshipped her, and a foundation willing to give her money. I had nothing.""
"That doesn't make what you did right.""
"You don't understand.""
"No," I replied.
"I understand perfectly. You saw something my mother created, and you decided you deserved it more.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"Your mother wasn't innocent either.""
My father slammed his palm against the table.
"Stop.""
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"You want the truth, Richard? Fine. Tell Olivia why Catherine never received the original Monroe scholarship.""
I turned toward Elise.
"She withdrew, didn't she?""
Elise's expression changed.
"That's what we were told.""
Vanessa smiled.
"She didn't withdraw.""
The room fell silent.
"What are you talking about?"" I asked.
Vanessa looked directly at me.
"Your mother was selected as the first winner of the development grant. But she never received the money.""
Elise stood abruptly.
"That's impossible. The foundation records show the grant was withdrawn before final approval.""
"Because the withdrawal letter was forged.""
My father's face went white.
He slowly sat down.
"Vanessa...""
She looked at him.
"You knew.""
I turned toward my father.
"Did you?""
He covered his face.
"Not at first.""
My heart pounded.
"Explain.""
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"Your mother was selected. Daniel called us that evening. We celebrated. She cried because she thought her career was finally beginning.""
I could barely breathe.
"Then what happened?""
"Two days later, the foundation received a withdrawal letter. Your mother denied writing it. By then, the investor had already transferred the money into another account.""
"Whose account?""
My father couldn't answer.
Elise did.
"The records indicate that the funds were redirected through Cole Creative Holdings.""
I stared at Vanessa.
She didn't deny it.
"Why?"" I whispered.
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"Because I was tired of watching Catherine get everything.""
Brianna stepped backward.
"Mom, you stole the money?""
Vanessa turned sharply.
"I did it for us!""
"No," Brianna whispered.
"You told me Dad helped pay for my fashion education.""
Richard looked up.
"Your education was paid for with money I earned.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Not all of it.""
Elise opened another folder.
"Unfortunately, we have reason to believe that some of the money used to establish Brianna's original fashion portfolio came from the same unauthorized account.""
Brianna covered her mouth.
I looked at her.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that this wasn't just about a dress.
It was about an entire future built on something stolen.
Elise closed the folder.
"Mrs. Bennett, the foundation will be referring these records to independent legal counsel. Your daughter's submission remains suspended.""
Vanessa looked around desperately.
"Richard, say something!""
My father stood.
"There's nothing left to say.""
She stared at him.
"After everything I've done for you?""
He looked at her sadly.
"That's exactly the problem. You've spent twenty-five years believing everything belonged to you.""
Then he turned toward me.
"Olivia, there's one more thing.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What now?""
He reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
"Your mother left a second letter. I was supposed to give it to you when you entered the fashion industry.""
I took it.
My name was written across the front.
But beneath it was a sentence in my mother's handwriting.
If Vanessa ever tries to claim your work, ask Richard about the second signature.
I looked up.
"Second signature?""
My father nodded slowly.
"Your mother made me sign something else. Something that would become important if the original theft ever happened again.""
Elise immediately reached for the document.
"Richard, where is it?""
He looked toward the exit.
"At my office. In the original trust file.""
Vanessa suddenly rushed toward him.
"You cannot give them that!""
Security moved between them.
My father stepped away.
And as Vanessa was escorted toward the lobby, she turned to Brianna and shouted:
"Don't let them destroy everything we've worked for!""
Brianna didn't follow her.
She simply stood there, crying.
I looked at the letter in my hand.
May you like
My mother's final words were waiting inside.
And I had a feeling the worst revelation hadn't happened yet.
