Chapter 6: The Invitation That Could Destroy Them Both
By eight the next morning, Maya had received three more messages from the unknown number.
The first contained a photograph of a newspaper clipping.
The second was a link to an archived article about the Eclipse Collection.
The third contained only six words.
Do not trust Margaret Whitmore.
Maya read the message twice.
Then she looked toward her bedroom door, where her father had left a note asking her to meet him downstairs for breakfast.
She had slept less than four hours.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the photograph of her mother beside Margaret Whitmore, the legal documents bearing Vanessa's signature, and the expression on her stepmother's face when Maya mentioned the settlement agreement.
She changed into jeans and a sweater, carefully hung the black gown inside her closet, and went downstairs.
Daniel was sitting at the kitchen island with a mug of untouched coffee and a thick folder beside him.
He looked as though he hadn't slept either.
"Good morning," Maya said.
He pushed a plate toward her.
"I made pancakes.""
Maya stared at the plate.
Her father had not made breakfast for her in years.
"Did you burn them?""
"Only a little.""
She sat down.
For several minutes, they ate in silence. The ordinary sounds of forks against plates felt strangely comforting after the previous night's confrontation.
Finally, Maya placed her phone on the counter.
"Someone called me last night.""
Daniel stopped eating.
"Who?""
"Margaret Whitmore.""
His fork clattered against the plate.
Maya watched him carefully.
"You know her.""
Daniel leaned back.
"Yes.""
"Who is she?""
"She was a business associate of your mother's. She was supposed to help Evelyn launch the Eclipse Collection.""
"Supposed to?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"The relationship ended badly.""
"Why?""
"I don't know the full story.""
Maya held up her phone.
"She told me Vanessa stole the collection.""
Daniel stared at the screen.
Then he looked toward the kitchen windows, where the autumn sunlight fell across the lawn.
"That is a serious accusation.""
"Do you believe her?""
"I believe your mother would never have abandoned her work willingly.""
"That's not what I asked.""
He was quiet.
Finally, he said, "I don't know what to believe anymore.""
Maya showed him the photograph.
Daniel took it and examined the two women standing beneath the Eclipse Collection poster.
His expression changed when he noticed the date.
"Where did you get this?""
"Margaret sent it.""
He turned the phone toward the light.
"That was taken shortly before your mother's final presentation.""
"Why was she removed from it?""
Daniel looked up sharply.
"Who told you that?""
"The person who texted me last night.""
He reached for the phone.
"Let me see.""
Maya handed it over.
Daniel read the messages, his jaw tightening with every line.
"Someone is trying to frighten you.""
"Or warn me.""
"Either way, I don't want you dealing with this alone.""
Maya folded her arms.
"I'm not asking to deal with it alone. I'm asking you to stop keeping me in the dark.""
Daniel looked at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
"All right.""
He opened the folder.
Inside were copies of the settlement agreement, bank statements, and a handwritten list of names.
"Your mother's studio had three principal business partners. Margaret Whitmore handled the presentation arrangements. A man named Thomas Reed managed the investment side. Vanessa handled the accounts.""
Maya pointed at the list.
"Why was Vanessa handling the accounts?""
"She had experience in finance. At least, that was what she told me.""
"Did Mom trust her?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Your mother wanted to believe everyone had good intentions. But she and Vanessa were never close.""
Maya remembered the anger in Vanessa's voice the previous night.
Your mother was not the saint you've imagined.
"What happened before Mom died?""
Daniel looked down at the paperwork.
"Three days before her final hospitalization, Evelyn called me from the studio. She was upset. She said some of the original designs had disappeared, and she believed someone had copied her work.""
Maya's stomach tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"You were a child.""
"Who did she suspect?""
"I don't know. She wouldn't tell me over the phone. She asked me to meet her the following morning.""
"But you didn't go?""
Daniel closed his eyes.
"I was in another city for a contract negotiation. I promised I'd be home the next day.""
His voice cracked.
"She was admitted to the hospital that night.""
Maya reached across the counter and covered his hand with hers.
He looked at her, startled.
"I don't blame you for that," she said.
Daniel's eyes filled.
"I blame myself.""
"I know.""
They sat quietly for a moment.
Then Maya asked, "What happened to Thomas Reed?""
Daniel pulled another document from the folder.
"He died four years ago. His company was dissolved shortly afterward.""
"And Margaret?""
"She continued working in fashion. She eventually became an executive at a major design house.""
Maya looked at the photograph again.
"Then she might know what happened.""
"She might.""
"Will you help me find out?""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes. But we'll do it properly. I'll contact a lawyer this morning, and we'll ask for an independent review of the settlement.""
Maya exhaled.
For the first time since Vanessa had torn the wings from her back, she felt as though she wasn't carrying the entire weight of the world alone.
Then Daniel's phone rang.
He checked the caller ID.
His face darkened.
"Vanessa.""
Maya watched him answer.
"Hello.""
Vanessa's voice was loud enough to hear from across the counter.
"Where are you?""
"In the kitchen.""
"With Maya?""
"Yes.""
"Then put her on the phone.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"No.""
A sharp silence followed.
"What did you say?""
"I said no. If you have something to say to Maya, you can say it to both of us.""
Vanessa exhaled angrily.
"Fine. Tell her that Richard Hale has called three times this morning. He wants to discuss the gown and the fashion showcase.""
Maya straightened.
"What does he want?""
Daniel put the phone on speaker.
Vanessa answered before he could speak.
"Apparently, he has decided to invite you to present your design at the Hawthorne Hotel next month.""
Maya's heart leaped.
"Really?""
"Yes. Congratulations.""
Vanessa's tone made the word sound like an insult.
"But there is a problem," she continued.
"Richard has requested proof that the design belongs to you. He wants sketches, original construction notes, and evidence that the fabric wasn't taken from someone else's collection.""
Maya glanced at the sketchbook.
"I have my mother's sketches.""
"Then you should be fine.""
Something about Vanessa's calmness felt wrong.
Daniel seemed to notice it, too.
"What are you getting at?"" he asked.
Vanessa gave a short laugh.
"Nothing. I'm simply informing you that this little adventure could become embarrassing if Maya can't prove what she's wearing.""
Maya picked up the phone.
"I can prove I made the dress.""
"Can you prove you own the design?""
The question struck like a slap.
Maya fell silent.
Vanessa continued.
"Your mother signed away the rights to the Eclipse Collection. Those designs belong to a company, not to you. If you present that gown publicly without authorization, you could face a lawsuit.""
Daniel stood abruptly.
"That agreement is being reviewed.""
"Then perhaps Maya should wait until the review is finished.""
"No," Maya said.
Both adults fell silent.
She held the phone firmly.
"I'm going to the showcase.""
Vanessa's voice turned icy.
"You're making a mistake.""
"Maybe. But it'll be my mistake.""
She ended the call.
Daniel looked at her.
"Are you sure?""
Maya stared at the sketchbook.
"No," she admitted.
"But I'm tired of being told to stop every time I get close to something that matters.""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Then we'll find out what your mother actually left you.""
At ten fifteen, the doorbell rang.
A courier stood outside holding a large cream-colored envelope.
It was addressed to Maya Bennett.
Inside was an official invitation to the Hawthorne Hotel's young designers' showcase, along with a handwritten note from Richard Hale.
Your work deserves to be seen. Bring your original sketches and the gown. Our legal team will help clarify any questions about the collection's history.
Maya read the note twice.
Then she looked at the invitation.
Her name was printed in elegant black lettering.
*MAYA BENNETT — EMERGING DESIGNER PRESENTATION.*
She held it against her chest.
A year ago, she would have hidden it in a drawer, afraid that Vanessa might find it and tell her she wasn't good enough.
Now she carried it upstairs and placed it beside the sewing machine.
Then she opened the sketchbook.
The page marked with the crescent moon had a faint pencil notation she hadn't noticed before.
At the bottom of the drawing, her mother had written a series of initials and numbers.
*E.B. / M.W. / 17-04*
Maya frowned.
She photographed the page and sent it to Margaret.
The reply arrived within a minute.
Where did you find this?
Maya typed, In my mother's sketchbook. What does it mean?
Margaret called immediately.
"Maya, listen carefully," she said.
"That notation refers to the original Eclipse agreement. Your mother and I developed a private arrangement to protect the collection if something happened to her.""
Maya's breath caught.
"What kind of arrangement?""
"A trust. The designs were supposed to be held for your benefit until you turned eighteen.""
Maya stared at the invitation.
"Why would they be held for me?""
"Because Evelyn wanted to make sure you would never have to depend on anyone who might use her work against you.""
The room seemed to tilt.
"Who was the trustee?""
Margaret hesitated.
"Your father was named as the first trustee. But if he became unable to fulfill that role, the responsibility would pass to an independent administrator.""
"Who?""
"I don't know whether the appointment was ever finalized. The documents were supposed to be filed with a solicitor in Boston.""
Maya's pulse quickened.
"Do you know the solicitor's name?""
"Yes. His name was Arthur Whitmore. My brother.""
Maya frowned.
"Your brother?""
"He's retired now, but he kept copies of the original correspondence. I believe he may still have the file.""
"Can you contact him?""
"I can try.""
Maya looked toward the window.
For six years, she had believed that her mother's legacy consisted of memories, a pendant, and a few old sketches.
Now there was a possibility that Evelyn had deliberately protected something for her.
Something Vanessa might never have owned.
"Margaret," Maya said, "why didn't you tell my father?""
A long silence followed.
Then Margaret spoke quietly.
"Because the last time I tried to contact him, Vanessa told me he wanted nothing more to do with the collection.""
Maya's blood ran cold.
"She told you that?""
"Yes.""
"And you believed her?""
"I had no reason to think she was lying.""
Maya thought of the settlement agreement, the missing garments, and the six years of silence.
Then Margaret added one final detail.
"There is something else you need to know. The original trust was supposed to become active on your eighteenth birthday.""
Maya's birthday was only three weeks away.
Before she could respond, Margaret continued.
"If the trust was properly filed, Vanessa's company may never have owned the collection at all.""
Maya looked at the invitation in her hand.
For the first time, the upcoming showcase felt like more than an opportunity to prove herself.
It might be the beginning of a fight over everything her mother had created.
And Vanessa had just learned that Maya was no longer willing to walk away.
That afternoon, Maya arrived home from a meeting with Daniel's lawyer to find a black luxury car parked in the driveway.
A woman in an immaculate gray suit stood inside the foyer, speaking with Vanessa.
When Maya entered, the woman turned.
She was elegant, composed, and unfamiliar.
Vanessa's expression changed instantly.
"Maya," she said, forcing a smile, "there's someone I'd like you to meet.""
The woman extended her hand.
"Clara Whitmore. I'm Margaret's attorney.""
Maya shook it.
Clara's gaze briefly dropped to the invitation in Maya's hand.
Then she looked at Vanessa.
"I believe we need to discuss the Eclipse Collection.""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
Clara opened her briefcase and removed a thick legal folder.
"Specifically," she said, "we need to determine why a trust established for Maya Bennett's benefit was never disclosed to the family.""
Maya stared at Vanessa.
Her stepmother's face had gone completely white.
And then Clara placed a single document on the table.
At the bottom was Evelyn Bennett's signature.
Beside it was a second signature.
One Maya recognized immediately.
Vanessa's.
But the date on the document was not six weeks after her mother's death.
It was three days before Evelyn entered the hospital.
And beneath Vanessa's signature, in small, precise handwriting, were the words that made Maya's entire world stop.
*Trustee removed by request of beneficiary's legal guardian.*
The guardian named on the document was Daniel Bennett.
May you like
Her father.
And according to the paperwork, he had signed the request himself.
