At the edge of the front row, Ellen noticed Iris Cavanaugh clapping, her eyes bright with excitement. She was speaking to someone who looked familiar, a tall man in a tailored black suit with a sharp jawline and perfectly combed dark hair.

Ellen’s stomach fluttered. That man was none other than Leo Bardot, one of the most renowned fashion moguls in the world. Known for his impeccable taste and his ability to spot the next big thing, Leo was a game-changer in the industry. If he was paying attention to her line, this could be the break she needed.

As soon as the show ended, Iris and Leo stood up and began making their way toward the backstage area. Ellen quickly composed herself, stepping forward as they approached.

Ellen’s heart was pounding as Iris and Leo stepped closer, their eyes scanning her, a look of quiet admiration on their faces. The room was still humming with energy from the show, but in this moment, everything else seemed to fade away.

Iris extended her hand, her fingers delicate but firm. “You have an incredible vision, Ellen. The designs—stunning. I wasn’t expecting to be this impressed, honestly. But you’ve done it. You’ve brought something new, something necessary to the table.”

Ellen shook her hand, a rush of warmth flooding her chest. “Thank you, Iris. Coming from you, that means a lot. I’ve always admired your ability to merge sustainability with high-end fashion. I wanted to do the same, but with a little… edge. Something modern. Something people could actually wear, every day.”

Leo stepped forward, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he took a step closer, his posture unassuming but commanding. His gaze lingered on her designs as he spoke. “You’ve done more than that, Ellen. You’ve created a movement. I don’t say this lightly, but what I saw tonight was a collection that could define a generation. This is the future of fashion.”

Ellen swallowed hard. A movement. It was a dream she hadn’t dared to put into words until now.

“But that’s not why I’m interested,” Leo continued, his voice low, almost intimate. “I’m interested because you’re doing this on your own. The big players, the ones who dominate the market, they wouldn’t think of making something so accessible, so disruptive.” He gave a wry smile. “I’ve got a network of investors, but I think you already know that. And I’ve got a few ideas that could help scale this, make it global.”

Ellen blinked, processing his words. Leo Bardot, the man who had launched some of the most iconic brands in history, was speaking to her. She’d done her research on him, of course—his penchant for spotting talent, his ruthless business acumen. But hearing him say those words made the whole thing feel like a dream.

“I—I would love to talk more, Leo,” she said, her voice a little shaky despite her best effort to stay composed. “I’ve got a few ideas on how we could build the brand from the ground up, but scaling globally is something I’m still learning about.”

Iris chuckled softly, a knowing smile crossing her lips. “Trust me, Ellen, if Leo’s interested, you won’t need to worry about the details for long. You’ll have the right people in place.” She turned to Leo with a playful glint in her eyes. “But no pressure, Leo. I’m sure she’ll make her own decisions.”

Leo gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, acknowledging Iris’s point before turning back to Ellen. “I’m not suggesting you need me, Ellen. I’m suggesting I’d be a damn good partner. But it’s your call.” His tone was confident, but there was something about the way he looked at her—like he was giving her the space to decide, to choose her path without being rushed.

Ellen felt her pulse quicken. This was the moment. The door had just swung wide open, and everything she had worked for, everything she had sacrificed, was staring her in the face. The temptation to leap, to accept Leo’s offer and join the ranks of the fashion elite, was there. But there was still a part of her, the part that had made her step away from Rick, the part that had decided to stop living for others, that wanted to take her time.

“I appreciate the offer, Leo. Honestly, it’s… beyond what I imagined when I started this.” She paused, feeling Iris’s and Leo’s expectant gazes on her. “But I’m not ready to rush into anything. I want to be sure that when I take the next step, it’s the right one—for my brand, for my vision. I’ve built this from the ground up, and I’m not willing to sell out just for the sake of expansion.”

Leo studied her, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then he nodded, as if taking measure of her words. “Fair enough,” he said quietly, his voice softening. “I respect that. You’ve got the right instincts, Ellen. That’s what makes you stand out in this industry.” He glanced at Iris, who was watching the exchange with a satisfied smile.

Iris leaned in, her voice warm yet persuasive. “Leo’s right. Whatever direction you choose, Ellen, you’ve got something that could change the world. Don’t rush it. But when you’re ready, I think we could make magic together. I’d love to collaborate on a collection, a partnership—whatever you need.” She reached for Ellen’s hand again, squeezing it lightly. “But don’t let the glitz and glamour fool you. You’ve already got everything you need. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

Ellen felt a surge of gratitude. Here she was, standing in front of two of the most influential figures in the fashion industry, and they weren’t pushing her to follow a specific path. Instead, they were acknowledging her power, her potential. And that meant more than any deal could.

“Thank you,” she said softly, feeling a deep sense of pride and humility. “I’ll take my time. But I’d love to stay in touch. I have a feeling this is just the beginning.”

As the conversation continued, the room began to quiet down. The show had ended, but the reverberations of Ellen’s launch lingered in the air. She could hear people still buzzing in the background, discussing the collection in hushed, excited tones. It was like her brand had come to life in the space between the flashing cameras, the applause, and the whispered conversations.

She turned back to Iris and Leo, both of whom were smiling at her with that knowing look—like they had seen the potential in her all along. But now, she could see it too.

This wasn’t just a lucky break. This was the start of something bigger than she’d ever imagined.

“I’ll follow up with you both,” Ellen said, her voice steadier now, the weight of her decision still heavy but exhilarating. “And I’ll make sure to keep you updated as the brand grows.”

Leo’s eyes gleamed. “I look forward to it, Ellen. You’ve got my number. And my team’s contact. Don’t hesitate to reach out.”

As they both walked away, talking quietly between themselves, Ellen stood still for a moment, the adrenaline of the evening still thrumming through her veins. She had just navigated a pivotal moment in her career, one that could change everything. But for the first time in her life, she felt in control.

She had built something worth believing in—something that wasn’t just about the clothes, but about the message, the future. And she knew one thing for sure: No matter where she went from here, the world was finally going to take her seriously.

And she would make sure that when the time came, she’d choose the right path—on her terms.