LOGINThe Luxury Industry Summit was the kind of event Sophia used to only read about in magazines. Now she had a front-row seat. "Remember," Alexander said in the car on the way there, "you're not just attending anymore. You're a player. LVMH partnership makes you legitimate." "I know." "But you look nervous." Sophia glanced down at her hands. They were shaking slightly. "What if people don't take me seriously? What if they think I only got the deal because of my story?" "Then they're idiots." Alexander squeezed her shoulder. "You got the deal because your designs are brilliant and your numbers are solid. Anyone who thinks otherwise isn't worth your time." The event was at The Plaza—massive ballroom, crystal chandeliers, every luxury brand executive in New York. Sophia walked in wearing a black dress she'd designed last month, simple but striking. "Sophia!" Margot from LVMH appeared immediately. "Come, there are people you need to meet." The next hour was introductions. CEO
Two weeks after the charity auction incident, Sophia was in her studio when her phone rang with an unknown number. "Sophia Dante." "Ms. Dante, this is Margot Laurent from LVMH." Sophia nearly dropped her phone. LVMH was one of the biggest luxury companies in the world—Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, all under their umbrella. "I'm listening," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "We've been watching your brand's growth. Your numbers are impressive. We'd like to discuss a partnership." "What kind of partnership?" "The kind where you keep designing beautiful clothes and we help you sell them all over the world. Are you free for a meeting this week?" --- "Holy shit," Isabella said when Sophia told her. "LVMH? That's huge!" "I know." "What are you going to do?" "Meet with them, I guess. See what they're offering." "And if the offer is good?" Sophia thought about it. Her company was successful, but small. One store in New York, limited production. If she wanted
Two weeks after Paris, Sophia attended a charity auction for children with cancer. It was the kind of event she truly liked, because the cause mattered and there was far less pressure than fashion events.Damian had talked her into coming.“It’s my hospital’s fundraiser,” he had said. “Having Sophia Dante there will help us raise more money.”Sophia agreed because she cared about the cause—and also because it gave her a chance to wear one of her new designs without stress.The auction was held at the Metropolitan Museum, inside the Temple of Dendur. The ancient Egyptian temple sat indoors, surrounded by glass walls that showed Central Park outside. It was beautiful, dramatic, and perfect for a luxury charity event.“You look beautiful,” Damian said as they arrived. “That color looks amazing on you.”Sophia looked down at her dress. It was deep emerald green, flowing and elegant, but not flashy—perfect for charity, not a runway.“Thanks,” she said, fixing his crooked bow tie. “You don’
Sophia returned to New York with the memory of Theo Sinclair’s cold behavior sitting heavily in her chest. It felt like a stone she couldn’t get rid of.It bothered her more than it should have. She was Sophia Dante—a powerful fashion leader, a woman who had built an empire and survived serious danger. She shouldn’t care that a rich, emotionless man treated her like she didn’t matter.But she did.“You’ve been very quiet,” Damian said during the flight home. He had been watching her as she stared out the window, barely touching her coffee.“I’m just tired,” Sophia replied. It wasn’t a complete lie. The gala had drained her—hours of smiling, talking, and pretending to be fine for people who all wanted something from her.“You did great,” Alexander said, closing his laptop. “People were talking about collaborations. The Met curator seemed very interested in your work.”“Mmm,” Sophia answered, distracted.Her brothers exchanged looks. She knew that look—they were silently asking each oth
The noise hit her all at once—cameras clicking, people shouting, questions coming from every direction. But Sophia had learned something important over the years: fear was just energy. And energy could be controlled.She stepped out of the car, and the cameras went wild."Sophia! Over here!""Who are you wearing tonight?""Sophia, can we get a smile?""Is that a new design?"She paused, turned to face the photographers, and smiled. Not the fake, practiced smile she usually used—but a real one. The smile of someone who knew she belonged right there.The resulting photograph would be on the cover of three different fashion magazines within a week.Inside the building felt unreal. Crystal lights sparkled above shiny marble floors. Huge flower arrangements filled the space. Soft music played in the background. Everywhere she looked were famous people from magazines and runways.“Breathe,” Alexander whispered.She realized she’d been holding her breath and slowly let it out.People walked
The flight to Paris was calm and smooth. The private jet flew quietly through the clouds over the Atlantic Ocean. Sophia sat by the window, watching the sea below and feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness growing inside her.Alexander sat across from her, working on his laptop like he always did. Damian was reading a medical journal. Lorenzo was on his phone, most likely handling security plans. Ethan had his headphones on, lost in his music.They were all going to Paris because of her. They had changed their schedules and put their work aside just to support her. Thinking about it made Sophia feel emotional.“Thank you,” she said suddenly.Alexander looked up. “For what?”“For coming with me. For always being there for me.”Her brothers shared a look.“Sophia,” Alexander said softly, “you’re our sister. There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.”"Even Lorenzo?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood. "I know he hates leaving his security systems.”"Even me," Lorenzo confirmed withou
The invitation arrived on a Tuesday morning. It was delivered by a private courier in a thick cream-colored envelope with shiny gold writing on it. Sophia was in her private studio at the estate—not her work studio in Manhattan, but the quiet room where she created just for herself. Mrs. Matilda b
“We end this tonight,” Sophia said firmly, her voice sharp even as the fire burned behind her.Her brothers turned to her. The look on her face made them stop. This was not the frightened woman they once saved. This was not just a strong designer. This was someone dangerous—someone done being afrai
At 7 AM, Sophia stood in front of her closet, staring at hundreds of designer outfits and feeling paralyzed by the choice."What you wear matters," Isabella said from the doorway. She'd flown back from Paris the moment she heard about the crisis. “Everyone will judge it.”“So what do I wear to prov
Sophia sat at the head of the dining table, which had once again been turned into a planning center. Around her were lawyers, investigators, PR specialists, and her four brothers. Her brothers looked angry—like they were ready to fight anyone who dared to touch her."Let me get this straight," Alex







