Chapter 5 - The War of the Runway
Within forty-eight hours, the fashion world was ignited by an unprecedented scandal. The New York Times published a front-page exposé featuring high-resolution scans of Nora’s original, dated sketches alongside Caruso Design's newly launched collection. The headline read: THE REAL DESIGNER BEHIND CARUSO: DOMINIC CARUSO ACCUSED OF INTELLECTUAL THEFT AND DOMESTIC ABUSE.
Caruso Design's stock tumbled thirty percent in a single morning. Major department stores canceled their distribution contracts. Vanessa Moretti’s name was dragged through the mud, her reputation ruined as fashion critics brutally tore apart her claims of artistic originality.
In a penthouse suite overlooking Central Park—provided by Julian Vance, an international fashion magnate and Dominic’s fierce rival—Nora sat at a large drafting table.
Julian poured her a cup of tea, looking at her with quiet admiration. "Dominic has frozen all your joint accounts, Nora. He’s filed an emergency petition for custody."
"Let him try," Nora said, her eyes fixed on a new sketch beneath her hand. "The custody court won't grant emergency access to a man under active investigation for assault. My lawyer filed the hospital report yesterday."
"He’s desperate," Julian warned. "Dominic Caruso doesn't know how to lose. He’s going to use every legal and illegal pressure point he has to break you."
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Nora looked up, her gaze steady and unwavering. "He thinks I’m the timid girl he married five years ago. He forgot who drew the foundation plans for his company. He lost the right to break me the moment his hand hit my face."
That evening, Nora announced the launch of her independent fashion house: NORA BENNETT. Her debut collection would open at Paris Fashion Week in three weeks—directly competing against Caruso Design’s flagship showcase.
