Serena Callahan’s phone to Ms.
Sloane three days ago,” he said.
“It discusses Ms.
Ellis’s invitation.”
Serena’s face went white.
Vivienne spoke sharply.
“That is private correspondence.”
“It was provided by the recipient’s business server under the document-access terms in the Callahan vendor agreement,” Daniel replied.
He handed the page to Margaret.
Margaret read silently.
Her expression did not change, which was worse than anger.
She passed it to Mara.
The email contained only four lines.
Nathaniel is getting too close to the assistant.
I’ll bring her in looking ridiculous.
Make sure the press sees her before anyone hears her version.
Once she appears unstable and attention-seeking, Grandmother will dismiss the rest.
Vivienne’s reply sat beneath it.
Good.
Humiliation is cheaper than litigation.
Mara read the words twice.
All evening, she had told herself that Serena’s deception was childish cruelty—an aristocratic woman amusing herself by embarrassing someone without power.
The truth was colder.
They had not invited Mara merely to mock her.
They had been trying to destroy her credibility before the evidence surfaced.
Margaret took the page back.
“You used my home, my guests, and my foundation gala to stage an attack against the woman who made my gown.”
Serena’s voice shook.
“I was protecting the family.”
“You were protecting your friendship with Vivienne and your place in her campaign.”
Mara looked toward the photographers.
Serena had recently become the public face of Vivienne’s charitable fashion initiative.
Her image appeared in magazines beside stories about ethical craftsmanship and women’s advancement.
If Mara’s allegations became public, Serena’s own reputation would be questioned.
That was why she had smiled when Mara entered in jeans.
She had believed the room would decide Mara was insignificant before Mara ever spoke.
Vivienne recovered enough to attack again.
“None of this changes the commercial reality,” she said.
“Mara worked under my direction.
At most, she may be entitled to internal credit.
Public authorship is a separate question.”
Daniel removed the final folder.
“The Callahan commission agreements required the atelier to identify the principal designer and certify that all submitted designs were original or properly assigned.
You signed those certifications personally.”
Vivienne did not move.
“You also charged a separate creative fee for original design services,” Daniel continued.
“Those fees were paid directly to Sloane Atelier based on your representation that you created the work.”
Nathaniel’s voice was calm.
“We paid for Vivienne Sloane designs.
You delivered Mara Ellis designs with altered labels.”
“That is an interpretation.”
“It is a breach notice.”
Daniel placed a letter on the table.
Vivienne looked at it but did not touch it.
Nathaniel continued.
