She Was Fired From Her Father’s Fashion Empire—So She Returned and Became the Designer He Couldn’t Afford to Lose
CHAPTER 3
Jonathan Bennett stood in the executive showroom surrounded by fashion editors and senior designers.
On the wall were Mara’s sketches.
Except nobody knew they were Mara’s.
Sloane stood proudly beside them.
“My sister and I wanted to modernize Bennett House without abandoning its heritage.”
Jonathan stared at the collection.
For the first time in years, Mara saw genuine excitement in his eyes.
“This is extraordinary.”
Her heart sank.
Sloane smiled.
“We worked very hard.”
Mara stepped forward.
“You didn’t.”
Everyone turned.
Jonathan looked at her.
“Mara?”
“Those designs are mine.”
Silence.
Sloane shook her head.
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I drew every one.”
Celia interrupted.
“You were sorting buttons.”
Jonathan’s expression hardened.
“Mara, this isn’t the place.”
“Then where is the place?”
She looked at her father.
“You hired me as a designer.”
Jonathan hesitated.
“I hired you to learn the company.”
“I already know how to design.”
Sloane smiled.
“Clearly.”
Mara knew she was being baited.
She didn’t care.
She reached for the portfolio.
Sloane pulled it away.
“Security.”
Jonathan looked shocked.
Mara stared at him.
“You believe them?”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
That sentence hurt more than anything else.
She walked away.
That night, Ethan found her sitting alone on the steps outside the building.
“They stole it.”
“I know.”
“They’ll do it again.”
“I know.”
“Then fight.”
Mara looked at him.
“I’ve spent my entire life fighting my father.”
“Maybe you’re fighting the wrong person.”
She frowned.
Ethan continued.
“You’re trying to prove you’re his equal.”
He sat beside her.
“You don’t have to.”
Mara looked toward the skyline.
“Then what do I prove?”
“That you’re better.”
She smiled faintly.
“I like you.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
Then her phone rang.
It was Jonathan.
He wanted to see her immediately.
When Mara entered his office, a security officer was waiting.
On Jonathan’s desk lay a confidential Bennett House collection.
And beside it was an email sent to Frost Fashion.
From Mara’s account.
Jonathan looked at her.
“Did you leak these designs?”
Mara stared at the screen.
“No.”
The next morning, she was fired.
