Chapter 1: The Woman Everyone Had Ignored
Chapter 1: The Woman Everyone Had Ignored
The applause that filled the ballroom wasn't for Regina.
It was for Maya.
Hundreds of phones captured every second as Maya secured the final fold of silk with nothing more than a needle, a length of invisible thread, and an elegant silver brooch she borrowed from a nearby hostess. What had looked like a ruined couture gown moments earlier now appeared to be an intentional avant-garde masterpiece.
The celebrity smiled into the mirrors surrounding the entrance.
"In twenty years," she laughed to the photographers, "I've never worn anything more original."
Flash.
Flash.
Flash.
Every camera ignored Regina completely.
The executive forced a smile that barely hid her panic.
"Everyone," Regina announced, clapping loudly, "our cleaning assistant has always been... surprisingly talented."
Maya calmly packed her tools back into her worn cleaning cart.
"I'm not your assistant anymore."
Silence.
"You fired me three minutes ago."
A ripple spread through the crowd.
Several guests exchanged uneasy looks. Someone replayed the video they'd just recorded. Regina's voice echoed clearly from the phone speakers.
"You're nothing but a janitor. People like you don't belong in fashion."
The celebrity slowly turned toward Regina.
"You fired the only person capable of saving my appearance?"
Regina's confidence cracked.
"It was... a misunderstanding."
"No," Maya replied quietly.
"It was your choice."
Before Regina could answer, an older gentleman stepped through the entrance.
Everyone recognized Victor Laurent—the legendary founder of Laurent Couture, whose name defined luxury fashion across three continents.
May you like
He had watched everything.
And he walked straight toward Maya.
