The next morning, I arrived at the office early with a small package tucked discreetly in my purse. The security camera I'd ordered online was no bigger than a pen cap, designed to look like an ordinary USB charger when plugged into the wall. Perfect for what I needed.
I waited until the floor was empty, then slipped into my office and positioned the device behind my desk, angled to capture anyone who might rifle through my files. The setup took less than five minutes, and I tested the feed on my phone to ensure the angle was perfect. Every drawer, every cabinet, every confidential document would be under surveillance.
"Morning, Alexis," Bria chirped as she arrived, her usual bright smile in place. "You're here early today."
"Couldn't sleep," I replied truthfully, though not for the reasons she might think. "Too many ideas buzzing around in my head."
She laughed, that tinkling sound I'd once found endearing. "That's what happens to creative minds. Coffee?"
"Please." I watched her walk to the break room, noting how she glanced back at my office door. Calculating. Always calculating.
The morning passed with agonizing normalcy. I attended meetings, reviewed designs, approved vendor payments - all while my phone buzzed periodically with motion alerts from the hidden camera. Each notification made my pulse spike, but I forced myself to maintain professional composure.
During lunch, I finally checked the footage.
The timestamp showed 11:47 AM. Bria entered my office, looking over her shoulder before closing the door behind her. She moved with practiced efficiency, pulling out her phone and beginning to photograph documents from my filing cabinet. Client contracts. Design patents. Financial statements. Page after page captured in crisp digital images.
Then Caspian appeared in the frame, making my stomach clench. He positioned himself by the door, clearly acting as lookout while she continued her systematic theft.
"How much longer?" his voice came through clearly on the recording.
"Almost done," Bria replied, photographing the last of my patent applications. "The Hartwell merger documents and the Chen licensing agreement should be enough for phase two."
"Good. Once we have their client list, we can approach them directly. Offer better rates, more personalized service." Caspian's voice carried a smugness that made my hands shake with rage.
"They'll never suspect we got the information from Alexis's files," Bria agreed, returning the documents to their exact positions. "She trusts us completely."
Trusted. Past tense, you bitch.
I closed the app and sat back in my chair, processing what I'd just witnessed. They weren't just stealing money - they were systematically dismantling my entire business, client by client, contract by contract.
Two days later, I sat in the back row of the Meridian Fashion Center in Los Angeles, wearing dark sunglasses and a simple black dress that rendered me invisible among the fashion week crowd. My heart hammered as the lights dimmed and music began to pulse through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Avant-Garde Designs' exclusive preview collection," the announcer's voice boomed. "Tonight, we present 'Midnight Dreams' - an innovative evening wear line that promises to revolutionize formal fashion."
Midnight Dreams. Not Midnight Reverie, but close enough to make my blood boil.
The first model glided down the runway wearing my design - or rather, a bastardized version of it. The flowing black gown with silver beadwork was unmistakably from my sketches, though they'd attempted to modify the neckline and hem. The proportional flaws I'd deliberately built in were glaringly obvious to my trained eye, making the dress hang awkwardly on the model's frame.
I raised my phone and began recording, capturing every stolen design as it paraded down the catwalk. Twelve gowns in total, each one a violation of my intellectual property, each one proof of their betrayal.
The audience applauded enthusiastically, fashion journalists scribbling notes about this "breakthrough collection." If only they knew they were witnessing the work of thieves.
After the show, I lingered near the designer's booth, listening as Avant-Garde's creative director fielded questions from reporters.
"The inspiration came from a collaboration with some very talented freelance designers," he explained smoothly. "We're always looking for fresh perspectives in the industry."
Freelance designers. I almost laughed at the audacity.
Back in Seattle, Caspian's manipulation reached new heights. During our Monday morning executive meeting, he leaned back in his chair with the casual confidence of a man who believed he held all the cards.
"I've been thinking about Alexis's workload," he began, his voice filled with false concern. "The Paris trip was supposed to be restorative, but she seems more stressed than ever."
I kept my expression neutral, though every word felt like a slap. Around the conference table, my senior staff shifted uncomfortably.
"Perhaps it would be beneficial if Alexis took a sabbatical," he continued. "A few months to really recharge, maybe seek some professional guidance for the anxiety she's been experiencing."
"I'm sitting right here, Caspian," I said quietly.
"Of course, darling." His smile was patronizing. "I'm just worried about you. We all are. The erratic decision-making, the paranoia about vendor relationships, the late-night calls to accounting about imaginary discrepancies..."
Each accusation was a carefully planted seed of doubt, designed to make my staff question my competence. I could see it working in their uncertain glances, their hesitant nods.
"I think what Caspian is suggesting makes sense," Bria added softly, playing her role perfectly. "You've been under tremendous pressure, Alexis. Maybe some time away would help you gain perspective."
The meeting continued with discussions of "temporary leadership structures" and "operational continuity," but I barely heard the words. My mind was already three steps ahead, planning their downfall with the same methodical precision they'd used to plan mine.
They wanted me to disappear? Perfect.
Let them think they'd won. Let them believe their manipulation was working.
They had no idea that every lie, every theft, every moment of betrayal was being documented. Soon, very soon, they would discover that underestimating Alexis McDonald was the biggest mistake of their miserable lives.
