“Ellen!” Iris’s voice rang through the crowd like a bell, full of life and energy.

Ellen turned just in time to see Iris and Leo weaving through the crowd toward her. Iris’s blonde hair bounced as she moved, her presence as bright and unmissable as ever. Leo was beside her, his dark eyes scanning the room like always, but with a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. They both had that effortless confidence that came with being deeply comfortable in their own skin.

When they reached Ellen, Iris wrapped her arms around her in a hug that was both tight and affectionate, the kind that only best friends could give. Leo, ever the more laid-back one, offered a subtle grin and a nod, his way of showing his support without getting too sentimental.

“Look at you, Ellen! The star of the evening,” Iris grinned, pulling back from the hug and glancing over her shoulder. “I swear, everyone here is either talking about your collection or just trying to get a selfie with you.”

Leo chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “You might need to start charging for those selfies, Ellen. Pretty sure that’s your next big revenue stream.” He looked at her with genuine admiration, the kind of friend who was excited about her success without an ounce of jealousy.

Ellen smiled softly, but her eyes were still sharp from the tension with Rick and Alexis. “Thanks, you two. It’s been a wild ride, but I think I’ve finally wrapped my head around what I’m doing here.”

Iris immediately picked up on the shift in Ellen’s tone, her sharp instincts never missing a beat. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. “Tell me. Who was it?”

Ellen glanced over her shoulder toward Rick and Alexis, who were still standing near the bar, talking to some other guests but clearly watching her. She could feel their eyes burning into her from across the room, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she turned back to Iris and Leo, shaking her head.

“It was them,” Ellen said, her voice steady but full of quiet venom. “Rick and Alexis.”

Iris raised her eyebrows in disbelief, the edges of her smile flickering. “Those two?” she asked, her voice dripping with mock amusement. “The human embodiment of bad decisions?”

Leo let out a snort of laughter, his amusement palpable. “I’m guessing that wasn’t a happy reunion, huh?”

Ellen shook her head. “No. It was just…” She paused, thinking, gathering her thoughts. “It was just them trying to get under my skin again, trying to tell me that I’ll never make it, that I’m a joke. You know, the usual.”

Iris’s face tightened for a moment, but only for a second. Then, she tossed her hair back and threw an exaggerated wink at Ellen. “Classic. They really haven’t changed, have they? Still the same, insecure, manipulative people who can’t stand it when someone else succeeds.”

Leo took a step closer to Ellen, his voice low but warm. “Don’t let them get to you. They’re irrelevant. You’ve already proven them wrong. They don’t matter anymore.”

Ellen smiled, the weight on her chest lifting a little. Her friends—no, her family—had a way of reminding her what was truly important. They didn’t just celebrate her success; they believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself. And that made all the difference.

“They tried to tell me my whole career would be a joke,” Ellen continued, her voice growing stronger with each word. “Like everything I’ve worked for is just some temporary blip. Like no one will care about ‘Threads of Change.’”

“Which is hilarious, by the way,” Iris cut in, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. “Because I don’t know a single person who’s not talking about your collection. You know, aside from that fashion empire you’re building.” She winked dramatically. “Guess they didn’t realize everyone else already has your back, huh?”

Ellen’s smile deepened. “Exactly. But what really got to me…” she trailed off, her expression darkening just for a second. “They said I’ll never amount to anything. That I’m just a girl who needed Rick to be someone. That without him, I was nothing.”

Leo’s expression hardened, a protective edge to his voice. “What? They said that? Those pieces of work really do have a nerve.”

Iris’s face twisted in disgust, shaking her head. “Well, it’s obvious they’ve just been projecting their own issues onto you. I mean, come on—Rick’s been riding on your coattails for years. And Alexis? She only wants him because he’s a ‘successful businessman.’ No real depth, no real connection. Just manipulation and power plays.”

Ellen’s eyes brightened slightly at their words, feeling the affirmation in the air. They knew. They understood the depth of it all. This wasn’t just a simple betrayal—it was a pattern of manipulation, of making her feel small so they could feel bigger.

“Well, they were right about one thing,” Ellen said, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “They are perfect for each other. Two manipulators, stuck in their own little world of lies. They’ll keep spinning their web, but they’ll never be free. Not like me.”

“Damn straight,” Leo said, his voice steady with a quiet confidence that matched hers. “And you’re free now, Ellen. You’ve got the world at your feet.”

Iris nodded, raising her glass in a celebratory toast. “To you, Ellen. The woman who proved them all wrong.”

Ellen clinked her glass with theirs, her smile now full of gratitude. “To change, to new beginnings, and to knowing exactly who I am.”

As the three of them stood together, the noise of the gala faded away, replaced by the soft warmth of their bond. Ellen wasn’t alone anymore. She had her friends, her purpose, and a vision that was bigger than any past relationship, any setback, or any petty betrayal.

With Iris and Leo by her side, Ellen knew that no matter what Rick and Alexis tried to do, she had already won.

A Week Later – Ellen’s Office – Early Morning

The studio was quiet when Ellen walked in, her footsteps echoing on the hardwood floors. It was early—before the city fully woke up—but she loved this time. The peace. The space to think. And for once, she didn’t feel like she was rushing toward something she couldn’t grasp. She was focused. Her vision had sharpened in the days following the fashion event, and now, she was ready to take it to the next level.

She sat down at her desk, her fingers hovering over her laptop. But before she could dive into the next big task, her phone buzzed. She picked it up without hesitation, knowing exactly who it was before the name even appeared on the screen.

Leo.

The message read:
“Hey, I got something for you. You free this afternoon? I need you to meet someone.”

Ellen raised an eyebrow. Someone? She quickly tapped back her response:
“Who?”

Seconds later, Leo replied:
“I’ll explain later. Trust me. You’re gonna want to hear this.”

Ellen hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. Leo wasn’t the kind of person to waste her time. If he was asking her to meet someone, it was probably important. She agreed to meet him later at his favorite café downtown, a casual spot where they could talk business—or anything else that came up—without any distractions.

The small café was filled with the pleasant hum of conversations and the clink of espresso cups. Ellen entered, scanning the room. She spotted Leo sitting at a corner table, his fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. He waved her over, and she joined him with a nod, her curiosity piqued.

Before she could even ask, Leo leaned in, a grin on his face. “I know you’re wondering, so here it is: I’ve got someone who wants to invest in your brand. Big time.”

Ellen blinked, surprised. “Wait—what? Invest in me?” She didn’t expect this to be the kind of meeting. She had been focused on growing organically, but a solid investment could change everything.

Leo nodded. “Yup. And not just anyone. It’s someone from the fashion world—a game changer. Trust me, you’re going to want to hear this.”

Before Ellen could digest that information, Leo gestured toward the door. “Here she comes.”

The door chimed as it swung open, and a woman stepped inside. She was tall, effortlessly chic in an oversized trench coat, paired with high-waisted trousers and sleek boots. Her dark hair was pulled back into a messy bun, but her face was striking—sharp features with an undeniable air of confidence. There was something about her that immediately felt different, but in the best way.

She walked toward their table with purposeful steps, and Leo stood to greet her, his expression a mix of excitement and respect.

“This is Eleanor Montgomery,” Leo said, his voice warm with admiration. “One of the top investors in the fashion industry. She’s got a history of taking independent brands and making them global powerhouses. Ellen, meet Eleanor.”

Ellen rose to her feet, extending a hand, her mind racing. She could already feel the weight of this moment, like everything she’d worked for was suddenly leading up to it. Eleanor’s handshake was firm, her gaze unflinching, and her smile warm but calculating.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ellen,” Eleanor said, her voice smooth, the kind of voice that promised experience and success. “I’ve been following your work for a while now, and I have to say, I’m impressed.”

Ellen nodded, trying to keep her cool despite the rush of emotions surging through her. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

Eleanor took a seat, her posture exuding control. “I don’t waste time, Ellen. I’ll get straight to the point. I think you have something special with your brand, and I believe we could elevate it to places you haven’t even imagined yet. Threads of Change—your recent collection? Brilliant. Brilliant.”

Ellen felt her pulse quicken, the excitement and nervousness settling deep in her stomach. “You think so?”

Eleanor smiled knowingly. “I don’t just think it. I know it. Your designs speak to a new generation. They’re about more than just fashion—they’re about making a statement. But here’s the thing… I want in. I want to help you grow.”

Leo’s grin widened, but Ellen’s mind was still spinning. “Help me grow?” she repeated. “What are you proposing?”

Eleanor’s eyes glinted, and she leaned in slightly, her voice soft but persuasive. “I’m offering you an investment. A partnership. You get the funding to expand your reach, and I get to help you take your brand to the global stage. You’ve done the hard part already—you’ve created something real. Now, it’s time to let it shine.”

Ellen sat back, her thoughts a whirlwind. On one hand, the offer was everything she’d dreamed of—serious backing, access to a network that could launch her line worldwide. On the other hand, she couldn’t ignore the nagging voice in the back of her mind. Was this the kind of deal that came with strings attached? Was she prepared for the risks that came with scaling her brand?

Leo leaned forward, sensing her hesitation. “I know what you’re thinking, Ellen. You’ve built this from the ground up. But think of it this way—you don’t have to give up your vision. You don’t have to compromise what you stand for. Eleanor here—she’s all about empowering independent designers. This could be the push you need.”

Ellen glanced at Eleanor, her eyes searching for any sign of dishonesty, but all she saw was confidence. Eleanor was offering something real. But the question was: Was Ellen ready for it?

Eleanor waited for her answer, knowing that Ellen was weighing the offer carefully. The room was still, the buzz of the café forgotten as Ellen took a deep breath. She knew this moment would define the next chapter of her journey. The question was: Did she trust herself enough to take the leap?

“I’ll need time to think about it,” Ellen said, her voice steady but filled with determination. “But I’m definitely interested.”

Eleanor’s smile deepened, satisfied. “Take all the time you need. But remember, Ellen—opportunities like this don’t come often.”