Chapter 99

"Come on out." Celeste leaned slightly to the side and called toward backstage, instantly catching everyone's attention. As Elowen stepped out, Michelle went pale as a sheet-lips bloodless, face frozen. She instinctively moved toward her, but- "Who told you to come here?" Martin stepped right in front of Michelle. He was slim, but still a man, and that was enough-the second she saw him blocking her way, she stumbled back, clearly spooked. Celeste introduced Elowen to the crowd, her voice calm but cutting. "This is one of our designers with Shaw Jewelry. As for what Michelle's done, she knows exactly what she's guilty of." Elowen's eyes were red, voice shaky, barely able to look up. "It was Michelle who got Martin's designs when we were recruiting. And it was her-I mean, she told me to steal Celeste's design and leak it before the competition. She... she sold it to someone else." With the truth out, Michelle looked like she'd collapse any second. She didn't even try to defend herself. W