Chapter 7: The Blue Portfolio
Daniel didn't waste## Chapter 7: The Blue Portfolio
Daniel didn't waste another minute.
He closed the another minute.
He closed the laptop, picked up his phone, and walked toward the front window of Collins Alterations.
“I'm calling my attorney,” he said.
“Nobody touches that laptop, picked up his phone, and walked toward the front window of Collins Alterations.
“I'm calling my attorney,” he said.
“Nobody touches that flash drive until we have copies secured and the original files preserved.””
Nia stood beside the worktable, staring at her mother's unanswered call.
“She knows we've found the portfolio.””
“Which means she'll probably flash drive until we have copies secured and the original files preserved.””
Nia stood beside the worktable, staring at her mother's unanswered call.
“She knows we've found the portfolio.””
“Which means she'll probably try to move it,” Daniel replied.
Brianna wiped her cheeks.
“Mom keeps the private design room locked. Nobody goes in there except her.””
“Does she have try to move it,” Daniel replied.
Brianna wiped her cheeks.
“Mom keeps the private design room locked. Nobody goes in there except her.””
“Does she have the only key?”” Nia asked.
Brianna hesitated.
“No.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Who else has access?””
“I have a key to the boutique. And I know the security code.””
Nia looked at her.
“Would you help us the only key?”” Nia asked.
Brianna hesitated.
“No.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Who else has access?””
“I have a key to the boutique. And I know the security code.””
Nia looked at her.
“Would you help us get inside?””
Brianna nodded.
“I'll take you there.””
Mrs. Collins stood up immediately.
“I'm coming.””
Daniel shook his head.
“We're not breaking into anything. We'll contact get inside?””
Brianna nodded.
“I'll take you there.””
Mrs. Collins stood up immediately.
“I'm coming.””
Daniel shook his head.
“We're not breaking into anything. We'll contact counsel, document the situation, and request access to the materials. Given the threat to destroy evidence, we need to be careful.””
Nia looked at the clock.
It was nearly eight.
Her mother had given her counsel, document the situation, and request access to the materials. Given the threat to destroy evidence, we need to be careful.””
Nia looked at the clock.
It was nearly eight.
Her mother had given her until morning.
She suspected Vanessa wouldn't wait that long.
At nine fifteen, Daniel received confirmation from his attorney that an urgent preservation demand had been sent to Vale House.
It required the company to preserve the original sketches, correspondence, storage records, and relevant electronic files.
A lawyer from Daniel's office agreed to until morning.
She suspected Vanessa wouldn't wait that long.
At nine fifteen, Daniel received confirmation from his attorney that an urgent preservation demand had been sent to Vale House.
It required the company to preserve the original sketches, correspondence, storage records, and relevant electronic files.
A lawyer from Daniel's office agreed to accompany them.
At ten, they arrived outside the boutique.
The building looked exactly as Nia remembered it. Large glass windows, gold lettering, polished floors, and elegant displays featuring Brianna's latest collection.
A photograph accompany them.
At ten, they arrived outside the boutique.
The building looked exactly as Nia remembered it. Large glass windows, gold lettering, polished floors, and elegant displays featuring Brianna's latest collection.
A photograph of Brianna in a white evening dress covered the main window.
Underneath it was the slogan:
Vale House — Beauty Begins With Us.
Nia stood beneath the sign.
“How many of those dresses did I of Brianna in a white evening dress covered the main window.
Underneath it was the slogan:
Vale House — Beauty Begins With Us.
Nia stood beneath the sign.
“How many of those dresses did I make?”” she asked.
Brianna lowered her eyes.
“Some.””
“Most?””
“More than I want to admit.””
Nia looked at the displays.
A pale gold evening dress had a familiar asym make?”” she asked.
Brianna lowered her eyes.
“Some.””
“Most?””
“More than I want to admit.””
Nia looked at the displays.
A pale gold evening dress had a familiar asymmetrical neckline. Another featured a crystal arrangement across the waist.
Both looked like designs from her grandmother's old sketches.
“Were those Grandma's designs?””
Brianna nodded reluctantly.
“Mom called them heritage-inspired.””
“Did she pay anyone for them?””
metrical neckline. Another featured a crystal arrangement across the waist.
Both looked like designs from her grandmother's old sketches.
“Were those Grandma's designs?””
Brianna nodded reluctantly.
“Mom called them heritage-inspired.””
“Did she pay anyone for them?””
“I don't know.””
Nia turned toward her.
“Brianna, I need the truth. Not another half-answer.””
Brianna swallowed.
“I don't know. I swear.””
The attorney“I don't know.””
Nia turned toward her.
“Brianna, I need the truth. Not another half-answer.””
Brianna swallowed.
“I don't know. I swear.””
The attorney approached them.
“Let's go inside.””
The front door opened with Brianna's key.
The boutique was empty except for the night security guard, who recognized Nia immediately.
“Ms. Vale?””
approached them.
“Let's go inside.””
The front door opened with Brianna's key.
The boutique was empty except for the night security guard, who recognized Nia immediately.
“Ms. Vale?””
Nia nodded.
“Good evening, Marcus.””
He glanced at Brianna.
“Is everything all right?””
“We need access to the private design room,” Brianna said.
Marcus frowned.
“Your mother is the only person authorized to enter afterNia nodded.
“Good evening, Marcus.””
He glanced at Brianna.
“Is everything all right?””
“We need access to the private design room,” Brianna said.
Marcus frowned.
“Your mother is the only person authorized to enter after closing.””
Brianna showed him the preservation notice.
“We're here to identify and preserve materials relevant to a legal dispute. Our attorney is present.””
Marcus examined the document before looking toward Daniel.
“I'll need to call Mrs closing.””
Brianna showed him the preservation notice.
“We're here to identify and preserve materials relevant to a legal dispute. Our attorney is present.””
Marcus examined the document before looking toward Daniel.
“I'll need to call Mrs. Vale.””
“That's fine,” Daniel replied.
The guard dialed Vanessa's number.
She answered on the second ring.
“What?””
“Mrs. Vale, Brianna and Ms. Nia Vale are here with an attorney. They're requesting access to the private design room.””
. Vale.””
“That's fine,” Daniel replied.
The guard dialed Vanessa's number.
She answered on the second ring.
“What?””
“Mrs. Vale, Brianna and Ms. Nia Vale are here with an attorney. They're requesting access to the private design room.””
There was a long silence.
Then Vanessa's voice came through the speaker.
“Absolutely not.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Mrs. Vale, this request concerns material covered by the preservation notice delivered to your office. We advise you not to destroy,There was a long silence.
Then Vanessa's voice came through the speaker.
“Absolutely not.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“Mrs. Vale, this request concerns material covered by the preservation notice delivered to your office. We advise you not to destroy, conceal, or transfer any relevant documents.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Are you threatening me in my own business?””
“No. I'm advising you of your obligations.””
“I'll speak to my attorney.””
“That's entirely appropriate conceal, or transfer any relevant documents.””
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Are you threatening me in my own business?””
“No. I'm advising you of your obligations.””
“I'll speak to my attorney.””
“That's entirely appropriate.””
The call ended.
Marcus put the phone down.
“I'm sorry. She specifically instructed me not to let anyone upstairs.””
Brianna looked at Nia.
Then she took a small key from her purse.
“I have a key to the archive room.””
Marcus stepped in front of the staircase.
“Miss Brianna—”
“I'm not asking you to open anything, Marcus. I'm telling you.””
The call ended.
Marcus put the phone down.
“I'm sorry. She specifically instructed me not to let anyone upstairs.””
Brianna looked at Nia.
Then she took a small key from her purse.
“I have a key to the archive room.””
Marcus stepped in front of the staircase.
“Miss Brianna—”
“I'm not asking you to open anything, Marcus. I'm telling you that we're documenting what is already here.””
The attorney checked his watch.
“We should wait for formal guidance before proceeding.””
Nia nodded.
She didn't want the truth buried beneath another accusation.
But before anyone could make another call that we're documenting what is already here.””
The attorney checked his watch.
“We should wait for formal guidance before proceeding.””
Nia nodded.
She didn't want the truth buried beneath another accusation.
But before anyone could make another call, footsteps sounded from the second floor.
A door slammed.
Then someone began moving boxes.
Nia looked up.
“Did you hear that?””
Marcus's face tightened.
He glanced at the ceiling.
“There's nobody, footsteps sounded from the second floor.
A door slammed.
Then someone began moving boxes.
Nia looked up.
“Did you hear that?””
Marcus's face tightened.
He glanced at the ceiling.
“There's nobody supposed to be up there.””
Daniel immediately called his attorney again.
The lawyer moved toward the staircase.
“Please remain here.””
Another crash sounded overhead.
Then came the unmistakable scrape of furniture being dragged across the floor.
Brianna went pale.
“Mom.””
They reached the upper supposed to be up there.””
Daniel immediately called his attorney again.
The lawyer moved toward the staircase.
“Please remain here.””
Another crash sounded overhead.
Then came the unmistakable scrape of furniture being dragged across the floor.
Brianna went pale.
“Mom.””
They reached the upper hallway with Marcus following closely.
The private design room was at the far end.
Its door stood open.
Inside, two large storage boxes were sitting beside a metal cart. A stack of old sketch hallway with Marcus following closely.
The private design room was at the far end.
Its door stood open.
Inside, two large storage boxes were sitting beside a metal cart. A stack of old sketchbooks had been placed inside one of them.
Vanessa stood at the desk, holding the blue portfolio.
Her eyes widened when she saw Nia.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Vanessa slowly closed the portfolio.
“I told you to stay away.””
Nia staredbooks had been placed inside one of them.
Vanessa stood at the desk, holding the blue portfolio.
Her eyes widened when she saw Nia.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Vanessa slowly closed the portfolio.
“I told you to stay away.””
Nia stared at the blue cover.
“That's Grandma's.””
“It's company property.””
“No. It's her archive.””
Vanessa lifted her chin.
“You have no at the blue cover.
“That's Grandma's.””
“It's company property.””
“No. It's her archive.””
Vanessa lifted her chin.
“You have no legal right to enter this room.””
“Our attorney has already sent a preservation notice,” Daniel said.
“We need to identify and protect the original documents.””
Vanessa laughed.
“You people have become very comfortable telling me what I can and cannot do.””
She placed the portfolio into a leather case legal right to enter this room.””
“Our attorney has already sent a preservation notice,” Daniel said.
“We need to identify and protect the original documents.””
Vanessa laughed.
“You people have become very comfortable telling me what I can and cannot do.””
She placed the portfolio into a leather case.
Nia stepped forward.
“Please don't move it.””
Vanessa held the case against her chest.
“Don't tell me what to do in my own office.””
Brianna looked at the boxes.
“Mom, what are you doing with Grandma's sketches?””
“.
Nia stepped forward.
“Please don't move it.””
Vanessa held the case against her chest.
“Don't tell me what to do in my own office.””
Brianna looked at the boxes.
“Mom, what are you doing with Grandma's sketches?””
“Organizing company records.””
“Why are they in boxes?””
“Because I'm reorganizing the room.””
“You're destroying them.””
Vanessa's face hardened.
“Watch your mouth.””
Brianna tookOrganizing company records.””
“Why are they in boxes?””
“Because I'm reorganizing the room.””
“You're destroying them.””
Vanessa's face hardened.
“Watch your mouth.””
Brianna took another step.
“You told me Grandma's collection had been sold.””
“It was handled.””
“You told me there was nothing left.””
“I said it was handled!””
The shout echoed another step.
“You told me Grandma's collection had been sold.””
“It was handled.””
“You told me there was nothing left.””
“I said it was handled!””
The shout echoed through the room.
Nia looked at her mother.
“Then why are you hiding it?””
Vanessa stared at her.
For a moment, the familiar polished expression returned.
“Because I knew you'd do exactly this. You through the room.
Nia looked at her mother.
“Then why are you hiding it?””
Vanessa stared at her.
For a moment, the familiar polished expression returned.
“Because I knew you'd do exactly this. You'd walk into my business, turn everyone against me, and pretend you're some innocent victim.””
Nia shook her head.
“You have my sketches, Grandma's designs, and documents with signatures that don't belong to the dates written'd walk into my business, turn everyone against me, and pretend you're some innocent victim.””
Nia shook her head.
“You have my sketches, Grandma's designs, and documents with signatures that don't belong to the dates written on them. What exactly am I supposed to pretend?””
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
“You have no idea what it took to build Vale House.””
“Then why did you need Grandma's designs?””
Vanessa looked away.
It was only for a second.
But Nia saw it.
Daniel's attorney arrived with two additional representatives on them. What exactly am I supposed to pretend?””
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
“You have no idea what it took to build Vale House.””
“Then why did you need Grandma's designs?””
Vanessa looked away.
It was only for a second.
But Nia saw it.
Daniel's attorney arrived with two additional representatives from his office.
He spoke calmly with Vanessa and examined the documents on the desk.
“Mrs. Vale, we need the blue portfolio preserved in its current condition.””
Vanessa tightened her grip.
“You cannot confiscate my property.””
“We from his office.
He spoke calmly with Vanessa and examined the documents on the desk.
“Mrs. Vale, we need the blue portfolio preserved in its current condition.””
Vanessa tightened her grip.
“You cannot confiscate my property.””
“We are not asking to seize it without authorization. We are documenting its existence and requesting that you preserve it pending the ownership review.””
“It's mine.””
“Then the documents inside are not asking to seize it without authorization. We are documenting its existence and requesting that you preserve it pending the ownership review.””
“It's mine.””
“Then the documents inside should establish that.””
Vanessa looked toward Nia.
“Do you know what your grandmother wanted? She wanted this business to survive. She wanted all of us to have something.””
Nia's voice softened.
“Then why didn't you let me have something?””
Vanessa looked as though she might answer.
Instead, she turned toward Brianna.
“Tell her what should establish that.””
Vanessa looked toward Nia.
“Do you know what your grandmother wanted? She wanted this business to survive. She wanted all of us to have something.””
Nia's voice softened.
“Then why didn't you let me have something?””
Vanessa looked as though she might answer.
Instead, she turned toward Brianna.
“Tell her what I did for you.””
Brianna shook her head.
“Not now, Mom.””
“I gave you everything.””
“You gave me things that belonged to someone else.””
Vanessa's face twisted.
I did for you.””
Brianna shook her head.
“Not now, Mom.””
“I gave you everything.””
“You gave me things that belonged to someone else.””
Vanessa's face twisted.
“I gave you a future!””
Brianna's voice broke.
“You gave me a name I didn't earn.””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa stared at her daughter.
Then she placed the blue portfolio on the desk.
“Fine. You want to see what's inside? Go ahead.””
Nia approached slowly.
The blue cover was faded“I gave you a future!””
Brianna's voice broke.
“You gave me a name I didn't earn.””
The room fell silent.
Vanessa stared at her daughter.
Then she placed the blue portfolio on the desk.
“Fine. You want to see what's inside? Go ahead.””
Nia approached slowly.
The blue cover was faded at the edges. A small gold star had been embossed near the bottom, identical to the silver star she had sewn into her new gown.
She opened it.
The first pages contained sketches.
Dozens of them.
Some were familiar, others completely new.
Every page carried her grandmother's signature.
at the edges. A small gold star had been embossed near the bottom, identical to the silver star she had sewn into her new gown.
She opened it.
The first pages contained sketches.
Dozens of them.
Some were familiar, others completely new.
Every page carried her grandmother's signature.
Nia turned another page.
A design appeared that made her breath catch.
The First Bloom.
She looked at Daniel.
“That's the original.””
He nodded.
Then she turned another page.
Nia turned another page.
A design appeared that made her breath catch.
The First Bloom.
She looked at Daniel.
“That's the original.””
He nodded.
Then she turned another page.
And another.
The designs were followed by handwritten notes, fabric receipts, licensing records, and correspondence.
At the very back was a thick envelope bearing Nia's name.
**To myAnd another.
The designs were followed by handwritten notes, fabric receipts, licensing records, and correspondence.
At the very back was a thick envelope bearing Nia's name.
*To my granddaughter, Nia.*
Her fingers trembled.
“Mom, what's this?””
Vanessa moved suddenly.
“Don't open that.””
Nia looked up.
“Why?””
“Because it's private.””
Daniel's granddaughter, Nia.**
Her fingers trembled.
“Mom, what's this?””
Vanessa moved suddenly.
“Don't open that.””
Nia looked up.
“Why?””
“Because it's private.””
Daniel's attorney stepped between them.
“Mrs. Vale, please don't interfere.””
Nia carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter and attorney stepped between them.
“Mrs. Vale, please don't interfere.””
Nia carefully opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter and a small silver key.
The letter was written in her grandmother's familiar handwriting.
My dearest Nia,
If you are reading this, then I was unable to give you the one thing I wanted most: the truth.
Nia's eyes blurred.
She continued.
Your mother has spent years believing that ownership and love are the same thing. They are not. I have watched her confuse the two, and I have watched you become smaller to make room for her ambitions.
Nia pressed the paper against her chest.
The a small silver key.
The letter was written in her grandmother's familiar handwriting.
My dearest Nia,
If you are reading this, then I was unable to give you the one thing I wanted most: the truth.
Nia's eyes blurred.
She continued.
Your mother has spent years believing that ownership and love are the same thing. They are not. I have watched her confuse the two, and I have watched you become smaller to make room for her ambitions.
Nia pressed the paper against her chest.
The next lines were underlined.
The portfolio is not the complete inheritance. The final piece is hidden where I first taught you to sew.
Nia stopped.
Where her grandmother first taught her to sew.
The old alterations shop?
The attic?
No.
There was one other place.
The tiny wooden sewing next lines were underlined.
The portfolio is not the complete inheritance. The final piece is hidden where I first taught you to sew.
Nia stopped.
Where her grandmother first taught her to sew.
The old alterations shop?
The attic?
No.
There was one other place.
The tiny wooden sewing room behind her grandmother's old house.
A place she hadn't visited since childhood.
But beneath the paragraph was another sentence.
Do not trust the signatures you see on the transfer papers. I never signed away your future.
Nia looked at Vanessa.
Her mother was standing completely still.
Then Nia unfolded the last page.
There was a second signature beneath the room behind her grandmother's old house.
A place she hadn't visited since childhood.
But beneath the paragraph was another sentence.
Do not trust the signatures you see on the transfer papers. I never signed away your future.
Nia looked at Vanessa.
Her mother was standing completely still.
Then Nia unfolded the last page.
There was a second signature beneath the letter.
And beside it was a handwritten date.
*The day before her grandmother died.*
Nia looked up.
“Mom, what happened the day Grandma died?””
Vanessa's face went white.
Brianna stepped backward.
And before Vanessa could answer, Daniel noticed something tucked inside the envelope.
A small photograph.
It showed Nia's grandmother sitting letter.
And beside it was a handwritten date.
*The day before her grandmother died.*
Nia looked up.
“Mom, what happened the day Grandma died?””
Vanessa's face went white.
Brianna stepped backward.
And before Vanessa could answer, Daniel noticed something tucked inside the envelope.
A small photograph.
It showed Nia's grandmother sitting at a hospital bedside.
Beside her stood Vanessa.
And in Vanessa's hand was a document.
The date on the photograph was two days before the supposed transfer.
Daniel leaned closer.
“Mrs. Vale,” he said quietly.
“I think we need to at a hospital bedside.
Beside her stood Vanessa.
And in Vanessa's hand was a document.
The date on the photograph was two days before the supposed transfer.
Daniel leaned closer.
“Mrs. Vale,” he said quietly.
“I think we need to discuss this photograph.””
Vanessa reached for it.
But Nia had already turned it over.
May you like
On the back, her grandmother had written one final sentence.
She thought I was too weak to protect my granddaughter. She was wrong.
