Chapter 14 - Shadows in the Gallery|
That evening, Ava hosted a private preview of her new collection for New York’s top fashion editors and museum curators.
The atelier was filled with soft classical music, champagne, and quiet admiration as guests toured the gallery of original Monroe designs.
Ava stood near the display of her mother’s original sketches, speaking gracefully with a senior editor from Vogue.
“Miss Monroe,” the editor praised, sipping her champagne. “This collection is historic. The way you’ve preserved your mother’s original drafting methods while modernizing the silhouettes is breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” Ava smiled warmly. “My mother believed that every dress should tell a story of where the wearer has been.”
As the editor moved down the gallery, Marco walked up to Ava, holding a silver tray with a sealed letter.
“Miss Monroe,” Marco said softly, his expression unusually serious. “This just arrived at the front desk by private courier.”
Ava frowned slightly, picking up the letter. The envelope was made of heavy black parchment, sealed with a thick red wax stamp depicting a serpent coiled around a dagger.
Ava broke the wax seal, pulling out a sheet of heavy parchment paper.
Written in dark red ink was a short, handwritten message:
“Dear Ava,
Congratulations on your success. You destroyed Richard and Victoria, but you forgot one thing.
My family owned half of Eleanor’s original patents before she died.
Enjoy your atelier while it lasts.
— Julian Moretti.”
May you like
Ava’s blood ran cold.
Julian Moretti. Niko’s estranged older brother—the disgraced former head of the family syndicate who had been exiled to Europe five years ago following a bloody internal war.
