Chapter 5: The Woman Who Wanted Everything
The next morning, Maya woke to the sound of a truck reversing into the driveway.
She hurried downstairs.
Two men wearing work uniforms were standing outside the sewing studio. One carried a clipboard, while the other examined the lock on the door.
Vanessa stood nearby, speaking to a woman in a navy business suit.
"What are they doing?"" Maya demanded.
Vanessa turned.
"I told you someone was coming to inspect the room.""
"Why are they changing the lock?""
"Because the room needs to be cleared.""
Maya rushed toward the doorway.
"You can't remove my sewing machine!""
One of the workers looked uncomfortable.
"Sorry, kid. We've been instructed to inventory everything.""
Maya turned toward Vanessa.
"Please don't do this.""
Vanessa checked her watch.
"I don't have time for another emotional scene.""
The woman in the navy suit approached.
"Mrs. Carter, perhaps we should clarify the scope of today's work.""
Vanessa gestured toward the studio.
"Everything inside is being prepared for removal. The furniture, machines, fabric, and personal items.""
Maya's face went pale.
"Those are Grandma's things.""
The woman examined her clipboard.
"According to the instructions we received, this room is scheduled for renovation before the property changes hands.""
Maya looked at Vanessa.
"You're still trying to sell it?""
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Go upstairs.""
"No.""
The word surprised them both.
Maya stepped into the studio and stood beside the sewing machine.
"You can take the table. You can take the shelves. But you're not taking Grandma's machine.""
Vanessa's expression became dangerous.
"Move away.""
"It's the machine she taught me on.""
"That machine is old and practically worthless.""
Maya placed both hands on its wooden base.
"It's worth more than anything in this house.""
The woman in the suit looked toward Vanessa.
"Mrs. Carter, I think we should stop until we receive confirmation from the trustee.""
Vanessa spun around.
"You're working for me!""
"Actually, I'm working for the property management company. We have been instructed to verify ownership before removing any disputed assets.""
Maya noticed the woman's eyes move toward the machine.
She wasn't comfortable with what was happening.
Then a familiar voice came from the driveway.
"Good. I'm glad someone here understands the importance of verification.""
Daniel Brooks walked toward them carrying a leather folder.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
"Not you again.""
Daniel approached the woman.
"Good morning. I'm Daniel Brooks, legal representative for the Evelyn Carter Trust.""
The woman immediately straightened.
"Mr. Brooks. I'm Lauren Mitchell.""
Daniel handed her a document.
"Here is the court-recorded notice confirming that no property transfer or removal of trust-owned assets is authorized without trustee approval.""
Lauren read it carefully.
Then she looked at the workers.
"Stop everything. Nobody touches anything until we receive written clearance.""
Vanessa's face turned red.
"This is harassment!""
Daniel remained calm.
"No. This is compliance.""
He turned toward Maya.
"Are you all right?""
Maya nodded, although her hands were trembling.
Daniel glanced at the sewing machine.
"Is this the machine your grandmother taught you on?""
"Yes.""
He examined the brass plate on its side.
Then he smiled.
"Your grandmother would be pleased to know you protected it.""
Vanessa laughed sharply.
"Can we stop pretending this old machine is some priceless treasure?""
Daniel looked at her.
"You might be surprised.""
He pointed to the brass plate.
"That is an original industrial model Evelyn used when she established her first collection. It was later displayed in the company's historical archive.""
Maya ran her fingers over the engraved letters.
E.C.
Her grandmother's initials.
Daniel turned to Lauren.
"Please include it in the protected inventory.""
Lauren nodded.
Vanessa stormed into the house.
Later that afternoon, Daniel met Maya at the dining table.
He had received an update from the independent trustee.
"There's a problem," he explained.
Maya's shoulders tightened.
"What happened?""
"The company has several unpaid invoices, and the property taxes on the flagship building are overdue.""
"Does that mean we're losing Grandma's company?""
"Not necessarily. But someone has been moving money out of the operating accounts.""
"Mom?""
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
"We need evidence before reaching conclusions.""
He opened his folder.
"There's also something interesting in your grandmother's records.""
He showed Maya an old photograph of Evelyn standing beside a young woman in a red dress.
"Do you recognize her?""
Maya shook her head.
"That's Elena Ruiz. She was your grandmother's head designer for nearly fifteen years.""
"Where is she now?""
"She left the company after Evelyn died. According to the records, she has been working independently.""
"Could she help us?""
Daniel nodded.
"If she's willing.""
Maya examined the photograph.
The woman looked confident, with dark hair and a measuring tape around her neck.
"Can I meet her?""
"Possibly. But there's another reason I wanted to show you this.""
Daniel placed a second photograph beside the first.
It showed a collection of dresses from Evelyn's final fashion show.
One of them was turquoise blue, with delicate butterflies sewn across the bodice.
Maya's eyes widened.
"That's my dress.""
Daniel smiled gently.
"Not exactly. This was your grandmother's original butterfly design from twenty years ago.""
Maya stared at the photograph.
The similarities were unmistakable.
She had never seen the dress before.
She had created her own version simply because she loved butterflies.
"Does that mean I copied her?""
"No. It means creativity sometimes travels through generations.""
He placed another document on the table.
"Your grandmother left a collection of unpublished sketches. She wanted them preserved until you were old enough to understand their significance.""
Maya carefully turned the page.
There were dozens of drawings.
Elegant gowns. Intricate jackets. Wedding dresses decorated with hand-sewn flowers.
And at the bottom of the last sheet was a handwritten note.
For Maya, when she is ready.
Her eyes filled again.
That evening, Brianna came home earlier than usual.
She found Vanessa pacing in the living room.
"What's wrong?""
Vanessa turned.
"Daniel has blocked the property sale.""
Brianna dropped her handbag.
"What?""
"He has frozen the transaction.""
"Then what happens to the money?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Brianna stepped closer.
"Mom, you said we were going to be fine. You said the sale would cover everything.""
Vanessa rubbed her forehead.
"I know what I said.""
"Then where is the money?""
Vanessa stared at her daughter.
"Do you remember the payments I made for your apartment deposit?""
Brianna nodded slowly.
"And the car?""
"Yes.""
"Those were paid from the company account.""
Brianna's mouth fell open.
"Mom, you told me that was your money!""
Vanessa grabbed her daughter's shoulders.
"Listen to me. I was going to replace every dollar after the sale.""
"How much?""
Vanessa looked away.
Brianna's voice rose.
"How much, Mom?""
"Almost two hundred thousand dollars.""
Brianna stepped backward.
"Two hundred thousand?""
"Keep your voice down!""
Brianna stared at her.
"What if they find out?""
Vanessa grabbed her handbag.
"They won't.""
But Brianna wasn't listening anymore.
She was looking at the hallway.
Maya stood there.
She had heard everything.
Vanessa turned and saw her.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Vanessa slowly approached.
"How much did you hear?""
Maya swallowed.
"Enough.""
Vanessa reached for her arm.
"Come with me.""
Maya pulled away.
"No.""
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"You need to understand that everything I've done has been for this family.""
Maya looked at her.
"Then why did you steal from Grandma's company?""
Vanessa's expression twisted.
Before she could answer, Brianna suddenly spoke.
"Mom, there's something else you need to know.""
Vanessa turned.
"What?""
Brianna held up her phone.
"I got a message from someone at the fashion gala.""
She looked at Maya.
"They found out who designed the turquoise dress.""
Maya frowned.
"What do you mean?""
May you like
Brianna swallowed.
"They want to meet you.""
