All Chapters of FASHION AND CRIME: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the soft white curtains in Charlotte’s room. It was a very quiet morning, with only the sound of birds chirping outside, and a light wind that entered through the open window. Charlotte’s eyes fluttered open, and for the first time in weeks, she woke up smiling. She stretched, yawned, and tossed her blanket aside with a tired sigh.She pulled on a simple blue dress and slipped her feet into white flats. As she walked out of her room, she began humming a happy little tune, one she’d made up herself. Her steps were light, almost like she was floating.In the kitchen, Monica, her mother, was standing at the counter peeling sweet potatoes. The pot on the stove let out soft bubbles, and the smell of fresh garlic filled the air. She glanced over her shoulder and raised her eyebrows, watching her daughter move across the room with unusual happiness.“Well, someone woke up on the right side of the bed,” Monica said, wiping her hands on a kitchen tow

Russell felt like he had stopped breathing. “What?”Charlotte raised an eyebrow, and she sounded serious. “You’re already replacing her? And it has only been weeks, you brought in another one?”“It’s not what you think,” Russell said quickly, taking a step forward. “Charlotte, listen…this isn’t what it looks like.”Charlotte shook her head, blinking severe, trying to hold back her tears. “She’s out there somewhere, probably crying her heart out. And you… you’re here laughing with another woman?”Russell ran a hand down his face. “Natasha is just helping me. That’s all.”Natasha stayed quiet, and she lowered her eyes as she felt uncomfortable.Charlotte looked at Natasha, then back at Russell. “You don’t get it, do you?” she said, her voice trembled a little. “Sylvania didn’t leave because she was weak. She left because she was tired.”Russell looked away.For a moment, the room was silent.Then Charlotte picked up her bag from the coffee table. “I’ll leave you two to your brainstormin

She turned her head and looked around, trying to understand what was happening. And her throat was dry.“Who are you? What do you want?” she managed to whisper, squinting at the man before her.Victor let out a soft laugh, the kind that seemed like he didn’t want to."My name’s not important," he said, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve. "But yours… well, let's talk about that." He pointed to her shirt. The name ZAGAFF printed in big black letters was stretched across her chest.His tone became serious as he leaned forward."Where is he?"Kamala frowned, shaking her head slowly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”Victor raised an eyebrow. “Ashley, please,” he said mockingly. “Don’t do this. Just tell me where Zagaff is… it'll make things easier for you.”Kamala looked down at her shirt, and she felt her heart beating louder. She hated herself. Why did I get involved in this? She thought. It was just a stupid idea to get attention. She didn’t know it would lead to this.Now

All he could do was stare as Sylvania moved deeper into the hall below, her red dress twinkling a little with every step. He forced his eyes back to Ruger, leaning normally in his chair as if nothing had shifted inside him. His fingers drummed slowly against the table, a habit he used when trying to keep control.Ruger, sensed the change in Zagaff’s behavior but he pretended not to notice. He picked up his fork and gave a small grin. “This… this is one of a kind,” he said, nodding at the spread before them. “You don’t get this kind of flavor anywhere else in the country.”Zagaff smirked a little, his eyes turned once more to the glass before replying, “Divas Delux only serves the finest. They know how to treat their guests.”The girls beside Ruger leaned in closer, one gently resting her hand on his shoulder while the other traced a finger along the rim of his glass. Ruger chuckled, murmuring something about how they were, “and these birds beside me really know how to keep me warm.”

The room had grown quiet after Marvin left. Only the soft sound of the city outside filled the silence. Zagaff rested his hand on the armrest, the other drumming lightly against his knee. He narrowed his eyes, and a slow, almost dangerous smile tugged at his lips.“I will soon be on your door, Nia…” he murmured under his breath, and he sounded serious, almost like a vow. “To finish off where we started.”Coco, who was still curled at his feet, lifted his head at the sound of his master’s voice. His dark eyes glistened, and his ears twitched as though he understood everything behind those words.Zagaff leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He stared at Coco with a half-smirk. “You hear that, boy? I won’t hide myself this time. Sylvania is different… and I want more.”Coco gave a small whine, then wagged his tail, as if agreeing with him. The dog tilted his head, watching Zagaff closely, almost like he shared the secret.Zagaff chuckled softly, he reached down and scratched b