Book Introduction:

The fashion world is a dazzling maze of creativity, ambition, and envy. In "Murdered for Fashion," we enter this glamorous yet ruthless realm where appearances reign supreme, and secrets are as intricately woven as the couture pieces that grace the runway.

Lila Ashton, an up-and-coming supermodel, finds herself thrust into the spotlight as the new face of haute couture designer Antoine Morelle. Her meteoric rise, however, is met with envy, whispers of sabotage, and increasing tension in an already cutthroat industry. The stakes escalate when a shocking murder shakes the fashion world to its core—claiming the life of a fellow model during a live show.

As the investigation unfolds, every glittering detail of this elite world comes under scrutiny. Antoine's studio, once a haven for beauty and innovation, becomes a hotbed of suspicion. Lila’s glamorous life quickly unravels into a perilous labyrinth of deceit and danger, where trust is a luxury few can afford.

Torn between ambition and survival, Lila takes matters into her own hands, determined to uncover the truth. With each revelation, she learns that the price of fame is higher than she ever imagined, and betrayal often comes dressed in designer fabric.

This gripping thriller takes you behind the scenes of the fashion industry, exposing its shadows and secrets. From breathtaking couture to chilling crime scenes, "Murdered for Fashion" is a page-turner that will leave you questioning how far people are willing to go for beauty, fame, and revenge.

Chapter 1: The Glittering Runway

The cavernous room hummed with the buzz of last-minute preparations. Models strode up and down the makeshift backstage runway, their sky-high heels clicking against the polished floor as makeup artists wielded brushes like weapons. The air smelled of expensive perfume mingled with hairspray, the signature scent of fashion shows everywhere. And at the center of it all stood Antoine Morelle, fashion’s latest enfant terrible, a designer whose every move was as headline-worthy as his creations.

“Lila, darling, where are you?” Antoine’s accented voice rose above the din. His silver mane caught the light as he scanned the room. Despite the chaos, he was impeccably dressed in a fitted black turtleneck and tailored slacks, exuding effortless authority.

Lila Ashton, the star of tonight’s show, emerged from the wardrobe area, already wearing the piece de resistance: a flowing, emerald-green gown that shimmered like liquid under the harsh backstage lights. It hugged her slender frame perfectly, the intricate beadwork glinting with every move. She looked like a goddess summoned straight from a high-fashion Olympus.

“Here, Antoine,” she called, lifting the hem of her dress slightly to avoid tripping. Her voice was calm, but inside, her nerves were a cacophony. Tonight was her debut as Antoine’s muse, and she’d spent months preparing for this moment. Every step on that runway would define her future.

Antoine turned and gasped dramatically. “Ah, perfection!” He walked toward her, his critical eyes softening with satisfaction. “You wear it like it was made for you, my dear. Tonight, you will own Paris. No, the world!”

Lila smiled, but her heart raced. She had worked tirelessly to reach this pinnacle in her career. The modeling world was a battlefield, and she had fought her way to the top with sheer determination. She pushed away the whispers of doubt, focusing instead on the music beginning to swell in the distance—her cue would come soon.

The venue was an opulent cathedral-turned-fashion-house, its Gothic arches festooned with cascading silk and dramatic lighting. The audience, a who’s-who of celebrities, critics, and buyers, settled into their seats. Cameras flashed, and murmurs filled the air as the anticipation grew palpable.

As the house lights dimmed, a single spotlight illuminated the runway. The music shifted to a throbbing, electronic beat, setting the tone for Antoine’s latest collection—an ode to modern opulence. The first model stepped out, her outfit a cascade of metallic fabrics that clinked like armor as she moved.

Lila watched from behind the curtain, taking deep breaths to calm her nerves. She had walked countless runways before, but this was different. This was her first show as the closer, the role that signaled a model’s ascendancy to the upper echelons of the fashion world. Her hands clenched into fists, careful not to wrinkle the gown.

Finally, her moment came. The coordinator gave her a nod, and Lila stepped onto the runway, bathed in the bright glare of lights and the collective gaze of hundreds. Her heels struck the floor in perfect rhythm with the music, each step confident and deliberate. The emerald gown flowed around her like a living thing, catching the light in mesmerizing ways.

The crowd was transfixed. Lila could see nothing but the runway ahead, but she felt their eyes, their admiration, their envy. It was intoxicating, this power to command attention. She reached the end of the runway, struck a pose, and turned with a graceful pivot, her heart pounding with exhilaration.

Backstage, the applause roared as Lila returned. Antoine rushed to meet her, clasping her hands. “Magnifique, my dear! You were flawless!”

But Lila barely had time to bask in the praise. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something unusual. Several people were huddled near the entrance, their faces pale and anxious. Murmurs of concern rippled through the staff.

“What’s going on?” she asked a nearby assistant.

The woman hesitated, her expression troubled. “There’s been… an incident. One of the models collapsed.”

Lila’s breath caught. “Collapsed? Is she okay?”

“I don’t know,” the assistant replied, wringing her hands. “They’ve called for help, but it looks bad.”

The festive atmosphere backstage quickly darkened as the news spread. Lila felt a chill creep over her, the glow of her triumph dimmed by the ominous turn of events. She glanced back at Antoine, who was now arguing with one of the organizers. His face, usually so composed, was tight with frustration.

She stepped closer to the commotion, catching snippets of conversation.

“…poisoned? How could this happen here?”

“We can’t confirm anything yet,” another voice said. “Let’s keep it quiet until we know more.”

Lila’s stomach churned. Poisoned? Surely it couldn’t be true. But the whispers persisted, and the growing tension was undeniable.

Hours later, the show’s success was overshadowed by tragedy. News outlets were already reporting on the mysterious death of one of the models, fueling speculation and fear. Antoine’s team scrambled to control the narrative, but it was clear that this wasn’t just an unfortunate incident. It was something far more sinister.

Lila sat in her dressing room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. The glamorous makeup and the stunning gown now felt like a mask, concealing her unease. She couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was only the beginning of something far darker than anyone could have.