Chapter 8:The Stolen Design
446 Words
Three days remained before Mrs. Clatford's birthday gala.
The design studio buzzed with excitement as Cinta carefully added the final crystal beads to the elegant emerald-green gown. Every stitch reflected her passion and determination.
Daniel admired the dress from a distance.
"Cinta," he said with a smile, "this is the most beautiful gown I've ever seen."
She blushed.
"I just hope Mrs. Clatford loves it."
Emmanuel walked into the studio, his face lighting up the moment he saw the finished masterpiece.
"It's perfect," he said. "Mom will be speechless."
For the first time in weeks, Cinta felt confident.
Maybe everything was finally falling into place.
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That evening, everyone left the studio except Cinta. She wanted to make one last inspection before heading home.
Her phone suddenly rang.
It was her mother.
"Cinta, your father is asking for you. Can you come to the hospital now?"
"I'll be there soon," she replied.
After carefully locking the gown inside a glass display cabinet, she hurried out.
She didn't notice a shadow watching from across the hallway.
Vanessa.
As soon as the building became quiet, Vanessa slipped inside using a duplicate access card she had secretly kept from her previous projects.
She walked straight to the display cabinet.
"So this is the masterpiece everyone is talking about," she whispered.
Her eyes narrowed.
"No newcomer is going to steal my spotlight."
She unlocked the cabinet, carefully removed the gown, and replaced it with a poorly made imitation that looked similar from a distance.
Before leaving, she smiled wickedly.
"Tomorrow, everyone will believe Cinta is a fraud."
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The following morning, Cinta arrived early, excited for the final fitting.
She uncovered the dress.
Her smile disappeared.
The elegant beadwork was gone.
The stitching was uneven.
The luxurious fabric had been replaced with cheap material.
Her hands began to tremble.
"No..."
Daniel rushed over.
"What happened?"
"This isn't my dress!" Cinta cried.
At that moment, Emmanuel entered the studio.
"What is going on?"
Cinta looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"My design... someone stole it."
The room fell silent.
Who would do something so cruel?
As everyone searched for answers, Vanessa walked in with a look of fake concern.
"Oh dear," she said sweetly. "What a tragedy."
Cinta looked up at her.
For the first time, she noticed the tiny emerald bead sewn onto Vanessa's handbag—the exact same rare bead she had used on her original gown.
A spark of suspicion flashed through Cinta's mind.
Was Vanessa responsible?
End of Chapter 8
Cliffhanger: Cinta suspects Vanessa stole her gown, but can she prove it before the birthday gala begins, or will her biggest opportunity slip away forever?
- Writer
