Debie had just passed the microphone to Peyton who had motioned for Brooke to come closer to stand next to her with Owen. Peyton seemed to finally become aware of Brooke's appearance... She opened her mouth as her pupils dilated. Brooke didn't know if it was admiration, jealousy, amazement... But one thing was for sure... It was like she was seeing her for the first time. And as Brooke approached, Lucas moved to give her the space right in front of him, his eyes locking with hers. Flustered, Brooke quickly turned her back to him so as not to be distracted while all eyes were on them.
PEYTON : Thank you very much Debie and hello to all! I would like to thank the models who walked the runway for us tonight... Their outfits were superb, weren't they!?
The guests laughed at Peyton's joke and then applauded her for the creations presented.
PEYTON : These outfits are part of my new Total Black collection, a collection that will be presented in its entirety soon... during the Parisian ready-to-wear fashion shows, Fall-Winter collection at the end of September. I would also like to take this opportunity to announce that I have a second surprise for you tonight...
Whispers filled the garden and all the guests' puzzled looks waited for the rest.
PEYTON : It's not about my dear and tender husband, even if his presence tonight and his support are invaluable to me.
Peyton turned to Lucas to give him a little wink that remained unanswered by him. Brooke, she feigned indifference even if her throat dried up and her stomach tightened a little more.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : What a hypocrite!
The communication stunt, denial and illusion of a solid couple was now launched for Peyton.
PEYTON : The surprise, it's my two star models who are also doing us the honor of being present at my side tonight!
Brooke's hands were sweaty and she hesitated between running away or pretending to faint.
PEYTON : First of all, and we don't need to introduce him anymore... Owen Morello, the hottest top model, made in Sweden!
Owen was wearing one of Peyton's outfits. He must have been dying of heat under his leather jacket. They exchanged a meaningful look and Owen quickly greeted the assembly. Brooke knew it was soon her turn.
PEYTON : Her, on the other hand... She's a complete stranger to all of you... But not to me... Nor to Lucas, for that matter...
Brooke swallowed and her panicked gaze turned to Peyton. She didn't quite understand what she was getting at.
PEYTON : Let me introduce you to Brooke Davis, our babysitter... Well, rather that of our adorable daughter, Sawyer!
The guests in front of Brooke fell silent with amazement... She too, for that matter.
PEYTON : I'm telling you this because, as you know, our former employee is happily trying to discredit us...
Now understanding all too well where she was going with this, and that she was using her presence for her own personal gain, Brooke looked at her, more and more shocked and especially more and more furious. But Lucas spoke first.
LUCAS : Enough, Peyton... Stop that, right now!
Barely noticing her husband's reaction and discreet remonstrance, Peyton displayed a small smirk before continuing.
PEYTON : Anyway! But imagine that Brooke didn't just get a job as a nanny when she arrived at our house... I detected in her great potential and an atypical beauty that I have been looking for for a long time for Total Black. Brooke will therefore be my star model for this collection alongside Owen... Thank you for applauding them.
As the guests applauded, Brooke had a hard time realizing what had just happened. And especially how she had dared to put her in such a situation without even having spoken to her about it before. Although she gave a shy smile to Chris who was looking for his to make sure that everything was okay by giving her a standing ovation, Boroke could no longer stand all this circus around her. Being Peyton's puppet and Lucas' plaything.
PEYTON : Time for your questions now, I'm listening!
A first accredited journalist quickly spoke as Brooke was about to leave the stage.
MALE REPORTER : My question is for Miss Brooke Davis ... And the magnificent dress she is wearing.
Peyton raised a vexed eyebrow and a furious look but she forced herself to smile while Lucas prevented Brooke from leaving.
LUCAS : Brooke, this reporter has a question for you, about your work and your passion... Stay and take your chance!
Brooke's eyes were misty with tears but Lucas's were begging her to turn around... After all, why not finally... If from all this story, there was a tiny hope that something good would come out of it for her... Unsure and already a little jaded, Brooke courageously turned towards the man who was waiting to ask his question.
BROOKE : I'm listening to you.
MALE REPORTER : Thank you, miss. My question is this... Your dress is not black... But absolutely sublime! So, is it an old or a future creation of Peyton!?
BROOKE : Well... It's not black, indeed and by a designer still unknown...
MALE REPORTER : But who certainly gains from not being anymore! Do you know her name!?
BROOKE : Certainly... And that's kind of you.
MALE REPORTER : So, would you agree to satisfy my curiosity... Our curiosity! And tell us which artist it is?
Brooke knew this was her chance to get noticed. But she met Peyton's furious eyes. Then she turned her face to Chris who nodded, imploring her to answer this question properly. And finally, she heard behind her...
LUCAS : Tell them, Brooke... Tell them how talented you are... Or I'll do it.
Listening only to the two encouragements of the two men who perhaps believed in her the most, she decided to go for it.
BROOKE : She is my creation... I am the one who imagined and made the dress I am wearing tonight.
The journalists' reaction was not long in coming, they started shooting with their cameras... A second journalist then rushed to ask a second question while the guests now also took pictures of Brooke.
FEMALE REPORTER : Can we conclude that you promote new talents, Mrs. Scott... Like Brooke!?
A devilish flash flashed in Peyton's eyes for a moment, determined to pull the blanket off her.
PEYTON : Absolutely, yes! It is our duty to help beginners break through in this sometimes so thankless environment...
MALE REPORTER : That's very generous of you! Are you going to go so far as to help her launch her first collection, Peyton?
Peyton was getting paler and paler. The situation was getting completely out of hand. She couldn't even answer that question, she was fuming inside. That's when...
LUCAS : Absolutely, and I promise you tonight to be his photographer for the duration of his promotion...
Lucas turned to his wife with a smile, particularly appreciating her displeasure. She whispered to him:
PEYTON : What are you playing at, exactly!?
LUCAS : Nothing at all, unlike you, I'm not playing... I'm very sincere.
Brooke couldn't believe her eyes or her ears. Especially since Lucas added into the microphone:
LUCAS : You will undoubtedly hear very soon about this young woman who is as talented as she is exceptional! Besides, Brooke... Take this opportunity to announce to the press the style of your first collection...
Brooke looked at Lucas and she felt a mixture of incomprehension on the one hand, but gratitude on the other. And while she wasn't sure that the journalists and guests present were interested...
DEBIE : Yes, Brooke! Tell us what you have in mind for this first collection!?
Urged on by Debie, the party's host and Elle magazine's fashion rep, Brooke thought she was going to faint.
BROOKE : Well, to tell you the truth it's still a bit vague... But I can already tell you that it will be a double signature collection, right Chris?
Brooke pointed at Chris who was looking at her completely stunned but so happy.
BROOKE : Our shared passion for fashion will make us do great things, I'm sure! And we hope to be able to offer a collection of mixed ready-to-wear with a trendy taste in a few days! And all this thanks to Peyton who just announced that she would support us... I am infinitely grateful to her.
Brooke surprised herself for having dared to say that. After all, she could well get a little revenge. She would go so far as to say publicly that she would certainly not be his model for his collection. But the idea that she would be obliged to return the favor by financing his collection seemed like a good compromise to her. Brooke still did not realize what had just happened but Peyton quickly ended the interview session. She cut her microphone and her first words were for Lucas ...
PEYTON : Is that what you call support!? I was made to look stupid again and instead of helping me, you added another layer!
LUCAS : I don't see things the way you do ... On the contrary, I supported you in your philanthropic approach ...
PEYTON : But I have no intention of helping Brooke!
LUCAS : If I were you, I would avoid speaking too loudly, my dear... The journalists are not far away...
Lucas' tone was cynical, even mocking.
LUCAS : I only completed what you said... Nothing more.
Furious, Peyton approached Lucas. She found nothing else to do but slap him. Stoic, Lucas did not move an inch and continued to look his wife straight in the eyes. Completely lost, Brooke watched the scene open-mouthed until Chris came to whisper to her:
CHRIS : Come on honey, let's let them settle their scores!
Brooke had no desire to move ... She wanted to know if Lucas was going to go through with it ... If he was going to leave her ... Something had changed, Lucas was not afraid ... Neither of Peyton, nor of her reactions, nor of the spectators. But Chris pulled Brooke by the arm to take her further away. And as they were already moving away ...
LUCAS : Brooke, wait!