All Chapters of THE RUIN OF CASSY BEAUMONT: BOUGHT AND BROKEN: Chapter 41 - Chapter 45

CASSY"Again." Madame Laurent doesn't even look up from the file in her hand.I suppress a sigh. This is the sixth time I've redraped the same piece of fabric.I undo every pin and start over.Beside me, Daisy whispers, "If she says 'again' one more time, I'm going to cry.""You said that yesterday.""I meant it yesterday too."I laugh under my breath.Madame Laurent's head snaps up. "If you're done entertaining yourselves..."The entire room goes quiet."...perhaps you can entertain me with decent work."Daisy mouths, We're dead.An hour later, Madame Laurent makes another round. She stops at my mannequin. Her fingers smooth over the shoulder line.She checks the waist. The hem. Then she walks away. No correction. No criticism.I blink. "Daisy...""What?""She didn't say anything."Daisy's eyes widen. "...Cass.""What?""I think that meas you're safe.."By lunch, everyone is exhausted. I collapse into my usual seat. Daisy drops beside me."I have news.""You sound excited.""I am."S

CASSYThe room falls completely silent. My heartbeat pounds against my ribs. Madame Laurent doesn't answer immediately. Instead, she looks at me."Cassy Beaumont."I freeze.Lily's eyes finally leave the mannequin and settle on me. They're assessing. Like she's trying to understand the person behind the garment."So you're Cassy." Her voice is surprisingly gentle."Yes, ma'am."She nods once. "Tell me why you designed the shoulders this way."My throat suddenly feels tight. "The client profile described a woman in a position of authority."Lily doesn't interrupt."So I wanted the silhouette to speak before she did."I step closer to the mannequin."The shoulders are structured because confidence should be visible before words are spoken."A few students glance at one another as I continue."The waist is softer because power doesn't have to erase femininity."Silence.Lily studies the garment again. "And the colour?""I wanted something timeless.""Why?""Because confidence shouldn't d

CASSYThe applause dies down. Lily steps away from the podium with effortless grace."I won't keep you seated all evening," she says with a small smile. "Fashion should be experienced, not lectured about."A ripple of laughter moves through the room."I encourage all of you to explore the gallery. Speak to one another. Ask questions. Most importantly..." She pauses. "Stay curious."With that, the evening officially begins. Almost immediately, groups begin forming around the exhibits.Daisy hooks her arm through mine. "Come on."She practically drags me toward a display of evening gowns.I stop in front of one made entirely from layers of silk organza."How does this even stay together?""The construction is hidden." A voice answers beside me.I turn around. An elderly woman wearing a Parsons faculty badge smiles kindly."The best garments rarely show you how difficult they are to make."I nod slowly. "I like that."She studies me. "First time here?""Is it that obvious?"She laughs. "