Chapter 2: One Sheet of Paper
The room was completely still.
Every camera.
Every judge.
Every designer in that hall had their eyes fixed on Nia.
The head judge, a silver-haired woman named Carla Voss, leaned forward slowly.
She wasn't looking at Nia's new gown.
She was looking at the champagne dress — the one Nia's rival, Dessa, was still wearing with that cold, satisfied smile.
"Nia," Carla said carefully, "I need to ask you something directly."
Dessa's smile didn't move.
But her fingers tightened around her clutch.
"That champagne gown." Carla pointed.
"The one presented earlier this evening.
Did you have any involvement in that design?"
The audience exhaled as one.
Dessa's jaw tightened.
"What kind of question is—"
"I wasn't speaking to you," Carla said quietly.
Nia stood perfectly still.
Her voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
"I can answer that," she said.
"And I have proof."
She reached into the folder her assistant had carried onto the stage and pulled out a single sheet of paper.
Dessa took one step backward.
Whatever was on that paper — Dessa already knew what it was.
And she knew it was over.
---
What Nia placed on that judge's table left the entire room in shock — and Dessa with nowhere left to run.
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