AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finn’s back is still turned away from the TV, and he hasn’t seen the new arrival.
“Arrh, Finn. Portia has arrived.” Hayden almost sounds too fearful to tell him. I don’t blame him. The black rage on Finn’s face as he spins around is enough to scare the hell out of anyone.
Once again, the media is going wild. Has there ever been a duplicated design in the history of the Met Gala? By the way the media is swarming around Portia and Juliette, I don’t think so. At first, the women look pleased with the media attention, but as they throw questions at them, you see by their shocked expressions when it dawns on them that something is amiss.
When Juliette is asked if she copied Matteo Blanchett’s design, she leans close to the microphone, stares into the camera with eyes like deadly missiles, and says, “I amJuliette Monet. What a ridiculous question. Maybe you should be asking that question to Matteo Blanchett.” She hooks her arm through Portia’s and pulls her away from the reporters.
Someone switches the TV off, and the room falls silent. Finn’s hands grip white-knuckle tight on the back of a vacant chair. “Everyone out,” he says barely above a whisper, and yet, it’s like a gunshot through the room. Everyone scuttles toward the door. “Bianca and Harper stay.”
Hayden and Lucas have taken their seats again. They obviously know they’re not being kicked out. Why did Finn want me to stay? Surely, this is something they need to discuss in private. Oh no. Did I give the dress to the wrong person? No, I was introduced to Portia’s stylist. Although I can’t stop wondering if this is my fault somehow. My legs shake.
Finn is still gripping the chair, staring down at the seat. “Who gave the design to Matteo?”
A cold shiver runs down my spine. Is he accusing me or Bianca? I look at Hayden and Lucas. They’re staring at Bianca and I with unreadable expressions. Do they all think one of us stole the design?
“There must be several people who would have seen the gown and maybe passed on the design,” I point out.
Finn pushes away from the chair. It ricochets against the table, causing a loud bang. I jump. “Who gave the design to Matteo?” he asks again.
Oh God. He really is accusing one of us. How can he think I’d do such a thing? I press my lips together. A terrible knot twists in my chest.
Bianca steps in front of Finn. “I’ve worked with you for years. I would never do anything like this to you or this company. I’m as shocked as you are.” She places a soothing hand on his arm. “I’ll help you find whoever did this.” She tosses her head to the side and aims a harsh glance my way. It’s clear who she suspects, and she’s making it obvious to Finn. Not taking her hand off Finn—which I’d like to rip away—she says, “Why did Matteo send Harper flowers this morning? Was he thanking her for something?”
Finn swivels his head in my direction and narrows his eyes. Anxiety is expanding in my chest. “I didn’t do this. You know I didn’t.” I place a hand over my heart.
“Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious that you receive flowers from Matteo Blanchett on the day of the Met Gala while his client is wearing our stolen design?” Bianca keeps digging me into a deeper grave. With a smirk twitching at her lips, I can tell she’s enjoying herself. Finn keeps staring at me with a dark expression. Is he believing her?
After a moment of tense silence, Juliette and Portia barge into the room. “Someone needs to explain what the hell that circus was we were thrown into!” Juliette waves the fan at a rapid speed in front of her face. Portia, with tears streaking down her face, smearing her makeup, slumps into the nearest chair, still wearing the infamous gown.
“Portia, is there any way your stylist could have done this?” Hayden asks.
Finn clamps his mouth shut, and he hasn’t taken his eyes off me. How can I prove this wasn’t me?
“No. I had him sign a confidentiality agreement. I’ve worked with my stylist for years. He’s one of my closest friends. There’s no way he would do this to me.”
“Well, someone had to have done it. Designs just don’t fall into the competitor’s lap,” Lucas fumes.
“We all know who is most likely to have done this, yet no one wants to say it out loud.” Bianca glares at me.
“Who?” Juliette and Portia both ask at the same time.
Finn is keeping quiet. My heart is breaking.
“How well do we know Harper? She gets a job here with no qualifications,” Bianca says. My face must look surprised at how she knows this, because she continues on to say, “Yes, I’ve checked. We know there’s history between Finn and Harper. Based on Finn’s initial reaction to her, it’s not great history. Could she be here for some kind of revenge? Is she punishing Finn for something?”
All eyes zero in on me. This is not looking great. Of course, I’d be the number one suspect. Especially with Bianca pointing the finger at me.
“I would never do this, Finn. Please believe me,” I plead. I search his face for any sign of his trust. His expression is hard and cold. Dread flutters in my chest. “Finn, please.” My voice cracks with emotion.
Turning his back to me, he says, “I need to think. You better go.”
I bite my quivering lip and hold back tears that are threatening to spill. There’s no point pleading my case. He won’t give me the chance. His mind is made up. In his eyes, I’m guilty. Spinning away, I run to my desk to collect my things. Once in the elevator, away from prying eyes, I let the tears fall.
How can Finn believe I’d betray him this way? My heart skids to a stop at the answer. Because he doesn’t trust me.
Chapter Thirty-One
FINN
