One Night in Valeria - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

The studio buzzed again but not with chaos.
With purpose.
Sketches were pinned, fabric sourced, swatches tested in morning light. Every breath of movement revolved around the final design: Klara Hale’s “Daughter.”
And at the center of the whirlwind, a familiar voice echoed through the doorway.
“Is this how you welcome an old genius? No champagne? No fireworks?”
Smith Vale strolled in like he’d never left jeans cuffed, camera slung across his shoulder, confidence stitched into every word.
Jessica ’s face lit up.
“SMITH!”
He caught her in a twirl-hug, the way only Theo could half affection, half performance.
Liam raised an eyebrow.
Celeste rolled her eyes. “Lord help us. He’s back.”
Smith leaned against the worktable as Jessica unrolled Klara’s final sketch.
His mouth parted slightly, and the teasing dropped from his voice.
“This… this is different,” he said. “This isn’t just a showpiece. It’s a resurrection.”
“I want your help,” Jessica said. “We’re not recreating it. We’re completing it.”
Smith glanced at Liam briefly. “Still letting him run lead?”
Jessica smirked. “He’s not ‘running lead.’ He’s running beside me.”
Theo gave a mock bow. “Alright then. I’ll be your third wheel of genius.”
But later, when Smith stepped out to take a call, Liam followed suspicion still tugging at him.
He heard one line slip through the door, soft but sharp:
> “Yes. I know Thorne’s watching.
But if he touches her again, I’ll bury him myself.”
Meanwhile, Jessica stood at the window, watching Theo’s reflection in the glass.
He was hiding something.
She knew it.
And then… her phone buzzed.
No Caller ID.
She answered slowly.
A low, measured voice echoed on the other end:
> “I hear you’re making Klara’s dress real.”
“I have a proposal.”
“Meet me tomorrow. Alone.”
“Thorne Velar.”