Chapter 49 Chapter 49

Chapter 49 Chapter 49
The boutique was chaos! More reporters had crowded the glass doors, flashes exploding as security tried to hold them back.
 Inside, Averie stood among torn gowns and scattered boxes, her breath shallow as accusations flooded the internet.
“We haven’t even started selling any of this out. No sales or returns so far so how did the media know to come at the right time?” She asked her staff, her eyes darting from line to line but they remained quiet, just acting insanely innocent.
Some could only whisper in corners, afraid to meet her eyes. Every second that passed only worsened the noise outside. 

“It’s just a few days to launch the new collection and the fashion industry they have partnered with has been calling nonstop as well.

“Cross-check every delivery receipt,” she ordered the head of the planning department who was the closest to her assistant, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hands. “I want the supplier’s signature, the packaging logs, everything.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the assistant said, rushing off.

Averie’s phone vibrated with calls, Darian’s calls included but she was too busy to pick it up. She didn’t want to see the alert from the press and more headlines tearing her apart when she’s busy trying to sort out the problem.

Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to focus, “Think, Averie. Who would benefit from this?”

She replayed the last few weeks in her mind and shook her head in self-pity. She’s made enemies in a short period of time. There’s Tyler, her sister, and Daniel Ross so she couldn’t tell where this had come from.

A chill ran through her at the confusion.


Daniel Graham arrived an hour later, and the scene that greeted him was enough to make his stomach twist.
Flashes of cameras came onto him as soon as he arrived. Having seen the situation on the internet, he came with backup who pushed the nosy reporters many steps away from the main building.

Averie Quinn stood in the middle of it all, trying to hold herself together while everyone whispered and stared.

“Enough!” Darian barked, his voice cutting through the noise.

The cameras lowered instantly. His reputation still held weight and his glare could freeze the boldest of reporters.

Averie was moved to tears when he showed up amidst the storm brewing outside. Her eyes glistened with tears, and she feared Darian would scold her by calling her incompetent as well. She watched him stride to her side. 
It shocked everyone that the great Darian Graham could come all the way down here to defend his wife.

“Who did this?” he asked as he caressed her cheeks.

Averie shook her head slightly in his palm. “I don’t know. Someone had switched the shipment,” she said with shaky breaths.

Darian turned to his head of logistics. “Get me the manifest. Now.”

Within minutes, documents and call logs were laid out on the counter. Darian flipped through them with practiced efficiency. His years in business had trained him to read people and patterns.

“Here,” he said, pointing to a name. “This delivery entry was edited after hours. Who has clearance for that?”

The manager hesitated. “Just the boutique attendants and… Ms. Clara Bennett.”

“Who’s that?” Darian asked.

“Clara Bennet? The one who got fired weeks ago?” Averie questioned, surprised about how she still had access to the company.

While going through everything together, a commotion erupted near the doorway as two security guards were dragging in a terrified-looking attendant. The same one who had been rude to Averie during the fittings last time; The Clara Bennet”

“She was caught trying to delete security footage,” one guard said and Darian crossed his arms. “Is that true?”

The girl trembled, tears in her eyes. “I… I was told to do it! I swear! Please, I didn’t mean any harm.”

“Who told you?” he demanded

“I can’t say. She’ll kill me!”

Averie’s tone softened. “As long as you tell the truth, I can be of help.”

The girl hesitated, glancing at the cameras and then at Darian. Finally, she whispered, “Esther Brooks.”

Darian’s expression hardened like steel unlike Averie who went into shock and couldn’t believe her ears. She almost pounced on the attendant “You’re fucking lying! How did you know Esther? When did you meet her?

The attendant kept her face low without saying a word more.

“I want her name cleared before the hour ends,” he told his public relations officer. “Every site that posted lies will issue a correction, and I want her boutique protected from further leaks. Anyone caught working against her will be fired or prosecuted.” Darian ordered.

Averie looked at him, stunned. “Darian…”

He turned to her. “I’m sorry but you’ll have to leave everything to me. Investigations should commence immediately.

“But Esther… she wouldn’t… Can I talk to her first?”

“You come first to me. I know that as your friend, she should have no reason to do that to you but your brand image is vital as well” he said. When he noticed Averie’s unyielding face, he snapped his fingers “Keep the news away from the media for now but take her away to the police” he ordered.

Averie was speechless, she could only whisper a Thank you,” 

Darian didn’t respond but his hand briefly brushed hers; as a way to assure her before he walked out to make more calls.

Averie picked up her phone at once and dialed Esther’s number. She picked up on the first ring, with a cheery voice “Hi Averie! I was just about to call” she said.

“Have you seen any news on the internet today?” she asked and she answered “Not really. I’ve been busy packing up to go home. Can you imagine what happened to Daniel Ross?”

Averie shut her eyes and let out a little sigh “Do you know any Clara Bennet?” 

Esther was forced to pause “Who’s that? Is it someone at work?” she asked, curious.

With that reply, she felt partly relieved but pushed further. She explained the situation to Esther on the call and how one of her employees had mentioned her name as the mastermind.

“What? That’s not possible. I’ll never do that to you” 

“I know and I’m sorry but I just have to ask before they start with the investigation,” she said.

“Oh no!” Esther lamented. She remembered eavesdropping on Carmine in the restroom last time and she had talked about ruining Averie. Regret settled in her spine because she didn’t warn her sooner.

“If anything, you should start with Darian’s ex-girlfriend, that Carmine model,” she said boldly.

“Why do you say that?” Averie asked out of curiosity.

“I’m sorry I should have warned you earlier. I totally forgot about it. It was sometimes around….” She explained everything from scratch.

Averie’s heart sank deep into her stomach because how could her friend forget about something so important? Even when she was apologizing repeatedly, she simply muttered “It’s fine” and hung up.