Chapter 5 - A New Order
When Eleanor and Claire emerged from the VIP dressing salon, the entire corporate board of Bellamy & Co. was assembled in the main showroom.
Arthur Sterling had summoned the vice president of operations, the head of human resources, and the chief legal counsel, all of whom stood in a nervous semicircle near the central fountain.
Eleanor walked back to the counter, still wearing the magnificent navy gown, carrying her old beige coat draped neatly over her forearm.
The executives bowed their heads in unison.
"Madame Bellamy," the Vice President of Operations stepped forward, clearing his throat nervously. "We have initiated a complete audit of all eighteen flagship locations across North America. The police have taken Richard into custody, and our preliminary review confirms significant fraud."
"Good," Eleanor replied, her voice firm and authoritative. "Now let us correct the damage done to our integrity."
She turned toward the sales associates who had laughed and whispered when she first entered the store.
The two junior associates trembled, their heads bowed so low their chins touched their chests.
"You two," Eleanor addressed them directly.
"Yes, Madame Bellamy," they squeaked in unison, terror plain in their eyes.
"You will spend the next three months working in our regional sorting warehouse in New Jersey," Eleanor commanded without malice. "You will pack boxes, handle raw wool, and clean sorting bins alongside our warehouse crews. If you learn to respect the labor that creates these luxury garments, you may return to the showroom floor. If you do not, you will seek employment elsewhere."
"Yes, Madame Bellamy! Thank you, Madame Bellamy!" they stammered, relieved not to have been fired immediately.
Eleanor then looked at Arthur Sterling.
"Arthur, who is currently managing our summer couture launch?"
"The position was overseen by Richard and his regional committee, Madame," Arthur answered. "With Richard removed and the committee compromised, we are currently without a creative director for the upcoming Manhattan Fashion Week showcase."
Eleanor turned her gaze back to Claire, who was standing quietly behind the counter.
"Claire," Eleanor said, a warm, knowing smile playing on her lips. "How would you like to take your designs out of that little sketchbook and put them on our runway next month?"
Claire felt the room spin around her.
"Ma'am?" Claire gasped, her hand flying to her chest. "I... I couldn't possibly. I'm just a sales associate with an unfinished night-school certificate!"
"Julian was a carpenter's son who didn't finish his apprenticeship," Eleanor said, stepping closer and taking Claire’s cold hands into her warm ones. "Degrees do not create soul, child. Character creates it. Compassion creates it."
Arthur looked at Eleanor with sudden realization, then turned to Claire with a broad, supportive nod.
"Madame Bellamy is the majority trustee, Claire," Arthur said with a professional smile. "Her appointment is final. If she says you are the creative lead, then you are the creative lead."
"I will appoint a master tailoring team to assist you," Eleanor added gently. "You will have full access to our historic archive, our private mills in Como, and a budget of two million dollars to bring your vision to life. But on one condition."
May you like
"Anything, ma'am," Claire whispered, tears of utter disbelief and gratitude spilling over her lashes.
"You never forget the woman in the faded coat," Eleanor said softly, squeezing her fingers. "Because the moment luxury forgets the humble, it ceases to be art and becomes nothing more than expensive dust."
