Chapter 9: The Complaint That Almost Took Everything
Nia sat on the edge of her bed, holding the phone.
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Someone had filed a complaint against her winning design.
And the complaint had reached the organization responsible for the prize money.
"Miss Carter?"" the receptionist asked.
Nia swallowed.
"I'm here.""
"We're not saying the complaint is valid. The committee simply wants to verify your documentation before finalizing the award payment.""
Nia looked toward the empty sewing table.
Her mother had taken the machine.
Maya had presented the cream dress as her own.
And now someone was questioning the patchwork dress that had won her the competition.
"Can you tell me who filed the complaint?""
"I'm afraid we don't have that information available.""
Nia closed her eyes.
"All right. What do you need from me?""
"Your original sketches, dated photographs, and any notes showing the design process.""
"I have those.""
"Please bring them to the committee office tomorrow.""
After the call ended, Nia immediately contacted Evelyn.
The boutique owner listened carefully.
"Don't panic," she said.
"They might freeze the payment.""
"They may temporarily delay processing while they review the complaint. That doesn't mean you've lost the prize.""
Nia stared at the medical estimate on her desk.
"I was counting on that money.""
"I understand. Bring every original document you have. I'll help you organize the evidence.""
The following morning, Nia arrived at the committee office carrying two folders.
Olivia came with her.
Evelyn met them in the reception area.
"Good morning.""
Nia nodded.
"Thank you for coming.""
"Of course.""
They were escorted into a small conference room.
A committee representative named Thomas Reed sat behind a desk.
He opened a folder.
"Miss Carter, thank you for attending. We've received a formal concern regarding the originality of your winning design.""
Nia placed her documents on the table.
"These are my original sketches and construction photographs.""
Thomas examined them.
"Do you have the original files?""
"Yes. They're on my phone and backed up in my email.""
"Excellent.""
He looked through the photographs.
The first showed the fabric scraps scattered across her bedroom floor.
The next showed the early arrangement of the skirt.
Then came photographs of the sewing process, the partially assembled bodice, and the finished garment hanging from the wardrobe.
Thomas looked up.
"You documented the entire process?""
"Almost every stage.""
"Why?""
Nia smiled faintly.
"I usually take photographs because I forget measurements if I don't record them.""
Evelyn added:
"Her construction notes are also very detailed.""
Thomas reviewed the sketchbook.
After several minutes, he turned to another page.
"Did you receive assistance with the design?""
"My friend Olivia helped with the final fitting. But the design and construction were mine.""
Olivia nodded.
"I was there when she made it. I saw the fabric scraps before she started.""
Thomas made a note.
"Thank you.""
He then opened the complaint.
Nia watched his expression change.
"What does it say?""
Thomas hesitated.
"The complaint alleges that your patchwork arrangement was copied from an existing fashion collection.""
Nia frowned.
"Which collection?""
He turned the paper toward her.
A photograph was attached.
It showed a dress from an old fashion magazine.
The design was completely different.
It used large blocks of fabric, but the colors, silhouette, and construction had little resemblance to Nia's work.
Nia stared.
"That's not my dress.""
"I understand. We're investigating the claim.""
Evelyn leaned forward.
"Has the person making the complaint provided evidence of ownership or an earlier design?""
Thomas shook his head.
"Not yet.""
Nia felt a little relief.
Then he continued.
"The complaint also references a previous garment attributed to another emerging designer.""
Nia's stomach tightened.
"Which garment?""
Thomas looked at the document.
"The cream evening dress currently associated with your sister, Maya Carter.""
Silence filled the room.
Nia stared at him.
"Why is that relevant?""
"The complainant suggests there may be confusion about who created certain design elements.""
Evelyn sat back.
"That's interesting.""
Thomas looked between them.
"We need to establish whether the two garments share any distinctive construction techniques.""
Nia reached into her folder.
"I brought the original cream dress sketches, too.""
She placed them on the table.
Thomas examined the pages.
Then he looked at the photograph of the patchwork dress.
His expression became thoughtful.
"These designs are quite different.""
"They are," Nia replied.
"However, the construction method appears similar.""
Nia nodded.
"Because I made both.""
Thomas looked at her.
"Do you have evidence that you created the cream dress before your sister presented it?""
Nia showed him the dated photographs.
Then the original measurements.
Then the notebook containing the design calculations.
Thomas examined everything.
Finally, he closed the folder.
"This is helpful. We'll need to verify the submission history, but your documentation is substantial.""
Nia exhaled.
"Does that mean my prize is safe?""
"I can't make that determination today. The review must be completed first.""
Nia lowered her head.
Evelyn touched her arm.
"We'll get through this.""
After the meeting, Olivia walked Nia toward the entrance.
"Who do you think filed the complaint?""
Nia didn't answer.
She already suspected.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Maya appeared.
*Maya:* I heard about the complaint.
Another message followed.
*Maya:* Maybe now you'll understand how it feels when someone questions your work.
Nia stopped walking.
Olivia read the message over her shoulder.
"She's admitting something?""
"Not directly.""
Nia typed a response.
*Nia:* Did you file the complaint?
The reply came almost immediately.
*Maya:* Ask Mom.
Nia stared at the screen.
Then she called her mother.
This time, the woman answered.
"What do you want?""
"Did you file a complaint against my competition design?""
A long silence followed.
"Why would you accuse me of that?""
"Maya told me to ask you.""
Her mother sighed.
"Your sister is upset. You have caused enough trouble.""
"That's not an answer.""
"Listen to me, Nia. You need to stop dragging this family through public embarrassment.""
"Did you file it?""
Her mother raised her voice.
"You think winning one competition gives you the right to destroy your sister's future?""
Nia's fingers trembled.
"I didn't destroy anything. I made a dress.""
"You made a dress and turned it into a weapon against your own family.""
Nia looked toward the street.
"Why are you doing this?""
Her mother lowered her voice.
"Because Maya has always had opportunities that you never understood how to use.""
Nia swallowed.
"So you think she deserves my work?""
"I think you should share.""
"Share what? My designs? My prize money? My future?""
Her mother didn't answer.
Then she said:
"Your grandmother left something behind when she died. Something that belongs to both of you. You were never supposed to keep everything.""
Nia froze.
"What are you talking about?""
"The old design book.""
Nia's mind raced.
Her grandmother had kept a leather-bound notebook filled with sketches and sewing instructions.
Nia had treasured it.
She thought it had been lost years earlier.
"Where is it?""
Her mother hesitated.
"With me.""
Nia gripped the phone.
"You took Grandma's notebook?""
"It belongs to the family.""
"What does that have to do with my competition?""
Her mother's voice became cold.
"Everything. Your grandmother's designs were the reason you became so interested in fashion. You didn't create everything yourself, Nia.""
The accusation struck like a slap.
Nia remembered the hours she had spent studying her grandmother's old techniques.
But the patchwork design had been entirely her own.
"Show me the notebook," she said.
Her mother laughed.
"You'll see it when the time is right.""
Then the call ended.
Nia stood motionless.
Olivia stepped closer.
"What happened?""
Nia looked at her.
"My grandmother's design book. My mother has it.""
Evelyn, who had been walking toward them, overheard the final words.
She stopped.
"Your grandmother's design book?""
Nia nodded.
Evelyn's expression changed.
"Was it a leather notebook with a small brass clasp?""
"Yes.""
Evelyn looked toward the committee office.
"Then I think we need to be very careful.""
"Why?""
Evelyn took a breath.
"Because Maya showed me a photograph of that notebook when she first approached my boutique.""
Nia felt the blood drain from her face.
"What?""
Evelyn nodded slowly.
"She told me it contained the original designs for her upcoming collection.""
Nia stared at her.
That notebook had belonged to her grandmother.
It contained years of handwritten ideas.
And now Maya was using it to claim designs that might never have been hers.
But Evelyn wasn't finished.
She opened her handbag and removed a folded photograph.
It showed the notebook lying open on a table.
Beside it was a page covered in handwriting.
Nia recognized the writing immediately.
Her grandmother's.
And at the bottom of the page was a sentence that changed everything.
*The rights to my original designs belong to the granddaughter who continues my work—not to the person who simply inherits my name.*
Nia read it again.
Then she looked at Evelyn.
"Does Maya know about this?""
Evelyn shook her head.
"I don't think she does.""
Nia looked at the photograph.
For the first time, she understood why her mother was so desperate to keep the notebook hidden.
But there was one more question.
May you like
If the notebook really contained her grandmother's wishes, why had her mother kept it from her for so many years?
And what would happen when the committee finally saw the original pages?
