Chapter 5
754 Words
Chiara's POV
When I joined the company—back when it was just a whisper and nobody even knew the name—I made a personal vow: I’d work in every single department. I didn’t want to be the kind of leader who issued orders without understanding the grind behind them. That decision turned out to be one of the smartest moves I ever made.
Not that I was some clueless newbie. I’d interned at my father’s companies every school break since I was fifteen. But Romano Fashion wasn’t just another stepping stone. It became my passion project, the place where I truly learned how the fashion world spun—stitch by stitch, betrayal by betrayal.
Corporate America? It's a snake pit—no matter the position. From wide-eyed interns to high-rise execs, the drama, deceit, and politics are all the same. But luckily, I had Lucy.
Lucy has been my acting CEO while I juggled responsibilities, and she's one of the few people I trust completely. We’ve known each other for years—she’s practically family—and she passed every background check with flying colors before I gave her the reins.
She’s been phenomenal. So phenomenal, in fact, she’ll soon take charge of the modeling agency my parents are handing me once I transition into leading Romano Fashion full-time.
One thing I’ve learned from experience? If you want to know what’s really going on in a company, don’t bother with executive briefings. Talk to the assistants. The janitors. The people no one notices. They see and hear everything. Especially when people forget they’re in the room.
But Lucy’s assistant? She wouldn’t say a word. She knows confidentiality in this company is sacred.
I’ve seen it all in the past few years—boozy managers, backroom affairs, stolen designs, credit taken by the wrong people. We’ve let go of more employees than I can count for trying to trade promotions for “personal favors.” Not all of them were men. And once you’re blacklisted from a Romano brand? You’re done. No more second chances.
Some designers even tried to pass off others’ work as their own. And the worst of them?
Gwendoline Delayney.
Head of the clothing department. Smart, strategic, and smug. She always played her cards close, careful never to leave fingerprints. I never had solid proof—until now.
That’s why I’ve been working closely in her department for weeks, quietly observing. She doesn’t suspect a thing. As far as she’s concerned, her enemies are just dropping like flies. Bad luck. Office politics. Nothing more.
But today, she slipped up. Big time.
I had spent the entire day perfecting a fresh line of designs—clean lines, dramatic silhouettes, a signature mermaid gown that radiated bold elegance. Jewelry sketches to match. Everything finally felt right. I didn’t need to be at the office, but working kept me grounded. It was better than sitting home stewing in old memories.
Once finished, I sent everything directly to Lucy—with Gwendoline copied, like always. I’d set up that system on purpose. A built-in safety net.
I was still reviewing some files when Lucy called both of us into her office.
That’s when Gwen tried to pull the oldest trick in the book.
“That mermaid gown,” she whispered to me with a plastic smile, “just tell Lucy it was mine. That you sent it by accident along with your own designs. Say you were studying it.”
I raised a brow. “And what would I possibly gain from that?”
“I’ll make sure people notice your talent,” she said smoothly. “Play along, and I’ll open doors for you.”
I tilted my head slowly. “And if I don’t?”
Her voice dropped to a hiss. “Then I’ll make sure you don’t survive here. I’ve been running this department since it launched. No one’s going to believe you over me.”
I gave a half-smile. “Then let’s find out.”
She didn’t know we were being recorded. The elevator? Cameras. The hallway? Cameras. Lucy’s office? Always rolling.
I walked in after her, calm as ever.
“There was a small mix-up,” Gwen began, playing the part of innocent mentor. “I think one of my designs accidentally got included with Valentina’s. I’d let her look at them for inspiration, so she must’ve sent mine along with hers by mistake.”
Lucy glanced at me. “Miss Romano? What’s your take on this?”
- Writer
