EMILY

Chapter Nineteen: The Last Attempt

Victoria Steele's legal troubles continued throughout the winter.

Several business partners withdrew from her company, and the independent financial review uncovered serious inconsistencies in its records. Investigators continued examining the transactions, while Victoria's attorneys worked to protect her remaining interests.

Her public reputation suffered.

The woman who had once commanded every room she entered now found herself avoiding questions from journalists and investors.

She blamed everyone except herself.

She blamed her accountants, her employees, her business partners, and the people who had refused to support her when her troubles began.

Most of all, she blamed Emily.

In Victoria's mind, Emily had become the symbol of everything she could no longer control.

The young woman had survived the accusations.

She had left the boutique.

She had returned to school.

And she was building a future that no longer depended on Victoria's approval.

Victoria could not accept it.

One afternoon, she learned that Emily's designs had been selected for a student showcase in Manhattan.

The event would feature emerging designers, fashion journalists, and representatives from several established brands.

Victoria saw an opportunity.

She contacted a former associate named Paul, who had worked with her for years.

"I need a favor," she told him.

Paul hesitated.

"What kind of favor?"

"I want information about Emily Carter's new business."

"Why?"

Victoria's voice hardened.

"Because I asked you."

Paul was silent.

Then he said, "Victoria, I think you need to leave that young woman alone."

She laughed coldly.

"Since when do you give me advice?"

"Since your problems started becoming everyone else's problems."

Victoria ended the call.

She sat in her office for several minutes, staring at her phone.

Then she began drafting an anonymous message.

She intended to send it to the organizers of Emily's showcase, suggesting that Emily had been involved in the theft of confidential business information.

But before she could send it, another message arrived.

It was from her attorney.

Do not contact Emily Carter or any organization associated with her. Any further attempts to interfere with her professional activities could create additional legal problems.

Victoria stared at the screen.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

For the first time, she felt something close to helplessness.

She had spent years believing that money could protect her from consequences.

Now she was discovering that some consequences grew more serious the longer a person tried to escape them.

She deleted the draft message.

But she did not delete her resentment.

And that resentment would eventually bring her face-to-face with the person she had tried so hard to destroy.