She Was Fired From Her Father’s Fashion Empire—So She Returned and Became the Designer He Couldn’t Afford to Lose
CHAPTER 6
The Bennett House Autumn Gala was the biggest event of the year.
Jonathan invited Miles to present the new collection.
That same afternoon, Ethan invited Mara.
“You should come.”
Mara stared at him.
“As what?”
“As yourself.”
She almost laughed.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Complicated.”
Ethan studied her.
“You always say that.”
She smiled.
“Because it is.”
He touched her hand.
“Come anyway.”
That night, Mara arrived as herself.
Then disappeared into the storage room.
Minutes later, Miles appeared.
She presented the first part of the collection.
Then ran upstairs.
Changed clothes.
Returned as Mara.
Ethan watched from across the room.
His eyes narrowed.
The pattern was impossible.
Mara disappeared.
Miles appeared.
Miles disappeared.
Mara appeared.
He followed.
Behind a curtain, he caught someone changing jackets.
Mara froze.
Ethan stared.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then he whispered:
“You’re Miles.”
Mara closed her eyes.
“And you’re Mara.”
He laughed softly.
“I knew it.”
“You can’t tell anyone.”
“Why?”
“Because if my father finds out, everything collapses.”
Ethan’s expression softened.
“You came back.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to prove I could.”
He shook his head.
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
Before Mara could answer, voices came from the hallway.
Vivian.
And a man Mara recognized.
Victor Frost.
Bennett House’s biggest rival.
They were discussing a file.
Mara moved closer.
“We take the collection tonight,” Vivian whispered.
Frost replied:
“And Miles?”
“He’ll take the blame.”
Mara’s blood went cold.
She reached for the door.
Ethan grabbed her wrist.
“Wait.”
They listened.
Vivian continued.
“Jonathan trusts the boy.”
Frost laughed.
“Then he’ll destroy him himself.”
Mara realized the truth.
They weren’t trying to steal the collection.
They were trying to destroy Bennett House.
And she had just walked into the middle of the conspiracy.
