Chapter 2 - The Counterfeit
I leaned over Ethan’s desk, placing both of my hands flat on the polished wood.
“Who has access to delete the server files?” I asked coldly.
Ethan wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
“Only me, the regional director, and corporate security,” he whispered.
I knew he was lying, but I needed to figure out why he was protecting a sales associate.
The office door suddenly rattled as someone knocked frantically.
I unlocked it and pulled the door open.
Natalie stood there, crying dramatic tears that completely ruined her expensive makeup.
“Miss Sterling, please forgive me,” she begged, wringing her hands together.
“I was just trying to protect your beautiful merchandise.”
I looked at the emerald dress she was still holding like a shield.
“Give me the dress,” I ordered.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second before handing it over.
I laid the heavy silk gown across the manager’s desk.
I traced my fingers over the small tear in the back panel that had started this entire nightmare.
Something about the fabric felt entirely wrong against my skin.
Real Maison Avery silk was hand-spun in Italy and felt like liquid water.
This fabric was stiff, slightly rough, and caught on my fingernails.
I quickly turned the dress inside out to examine the interior seams.
Our luxury gowns were meticulously hand-sewn by master tailors.
The stitching on this dress was perfectly uniform, created by a cheap industrial sewing machine.
The tag was a flawless replica, but the garment itself was a complete fake.
I looked up at Ethan, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“This is a counterfeit,” I stated clearly.
Natalie gasped, taking a step backward.
Ethan closed his eyes and let out a long, defeated breath.
“You have no idea what you just stepped into, Avery,” Natalie suddenly sneered, dropping the crying act completely.
Before I could ask her what she meant, the store’s emergency fire alarms began blaring deafeningly.
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Thick white smoke began pouring through the air conditioning vents into the office.
Someone was trying to burn the flagship store to the ground to destroy the evidence.
