Chapter 13 - THE ANNIVERSARY GALA
The flagship store had been transformed.
White orchids climbed the staircase.
A string orchestra played beneath the crystal ceiling.
Historical gowns stood inside glass cases.
The midnight-blue original remained missing from its display.
Mercer & Reed claimed it was undergoing conservation.
Rebecca had obtained a court order preventing the company from moving it.
The gown was inside the building.
We simply did not know where.
Guests turned when Mom entered.
Whispers moved through the ballroom.
Some recognized her from the news.
Others recognized the pale blue thread worn by the former workers behind her.
The board chair, Jonathan Reed, approached.
He was Samuel Reed’s eldest son.
“Mrs. Morrow, this is a private event.”
“I am a shareholder.”
He smiled thinly.
“That claim has not been established.”
Celeste stepped forward.
“She is my guest.”
Jonathan looked at his niece.
“You no longer represent this family.”
Celeste answered:
“That is why I can finally represent the truth.”
Security began moving toward us.
Then the orchestra stopped.
Ava stood near the sound system.
The ballroom speakers filled with Henry Mercer’s recorded voice.
Samuel says the custody petition will force her to sign.
Every guest became still.
Samuel Reed answered from forty-one years in the past.
She does not need to sign if the fire destroys the original.
Jonathan’s face turned white.
The recording continued.
What about the girl?
Eleanor will choose her daughter.
Mothers always do.
Mom stood in the center of the ballroom.
She did not look toward the speakers.
She looked at the workers.
Ninety-four names appeared on the large screen behind the stage.
The women who had built the Midnight Collection.
Applause began near the rear.
Slowly.
Then louder.
Jonathan Reed reached for the microphone.
“This recording is disputed.”
A judge’s voice came from the entrance.
“Not anymore.”
The court had issued a preliminary finding that afternoon.
The original partnership agreement was authentic.
The cancellation was forged.
The settlement had been obtained through fraudulent coercion.
Mom’s ownership claim could proceed.
The new collection could not be sold.
The original gown had to be returned to court custody.
Jonathan looked toward security.
“Find the dress.”
A young employee stepped onto the stage.
She carried the midnight-blue gown.
“I found it inside Mr. Reed’s office.”
The pale blue label faced outward.
May you like
Made by hand by E. Morrow.
For the first time in forty-one years, the store displayed the dress with the truth visible.
