The Heiress of Shadows

sguise, not to reclaim what was

be calculated, theatrical, unforgettable. Just like everything they had taken from

ark as midnight, cut sharply along her jaw. Her makeup severe, sculpted to erase the softness

d everythi

r Casa Moretti employees Ivana had fired. Designers Gianna had humiliated. One clever young lawyer who

y had collect

exposing fin

mocking Valeria's su

itten and signed und

y but clear enough, showing Ivana, drun

, champagne glass in hand. "She begged. Thought

t for resolve. Every time her hands trembled with do

an opulence. Casa Moretti was to debut its newest collection there. Gianna, now flaunting her role as creative dir

rf

hat evening dress

on silk that mo

ck lace, veil

ized but drawing every gaze. Her presence crackled with somet

allies were alr

nfiltrated the p

off a small circle of

neath her gown: the flash drive containing

etti's models walked in shimmering pastels, flaunting designs that echoed Valeria's old ske

lights

ilence fill

creen behind the run

d: "We broke her, t

illed t

le. She climbed the edge of the runway, her heels

d. Photographers

e pulled of

oom f

before them alive, r

she asked, her vo

into whispers, gas

eyes rolled back. She collapsed against her c

ed to flee, stumbling

a didn

as security entered. Journalists scr

s. The board members present at the gala were served legal notices on the spot

didn't

years, she stood witho

crowded

i, where hav

u were declare

ake back Ca

ne hand, sil

ut I found my way back. And I promise you,

gal documents: forged signatures. Altered medical

l out in

as Casa Moretti unraveled under

runway, no longer a m

the re

er forget the night