By the time noon arrived, the sewing department had settled into a tense hush. Final pins had been tucked, the last hem steam-pressed, and the mannequin stood like a centerpiece beneath the overhead lights. Evelyn stood nearby with a clipboard in hand, double-checking the final notes and order breakdowns.
Then the door opened.
He didn’t need an announcement. His presence shifted the room.
Auden Bernard stepped inside, sharp in his signature dark-gray tailored suit, a navy tie knotted crisply beneath his collar. His gaze was steady, scanning the floor with quiet authority. Conversations died out. Assistants moved instinctively out of his way.
But Evelyn didn’t move. She met his gaze as he approached, her posture straight, composed.
“Mr. Bernard,” she greeted coolly, keeping her tone pr
