Weeks after the devastating fire that nearly claimed lives and destroyed a legacy, the Forrester family is still reeling. Though the Ashes and Thread collection launched to global acclaim, the question lingered: Was it truly an accident?

The damaged footage from Douglas’s vlog camera provided the answer. Amidst the smoke and heat, investigators saw a shadowy figure entering the gallery moments before the lightning strike. The figure wore a ring unmistakably tied to Celia Maro—a notorious ex-con and former Forrester insider with a vendetta.

Celia had vanished from her French prison on a mysterious “medical furlough” just weeks before the fire. Brooke was the first to say her name aloud, chilled by the implication. Steffy tried to dismiss the idea, but deep down, she knew—Celia had returned.

Then came the letters.

Each family member received a perfectly handwritten note: You rose from the ashes. But not all fires die. Signed simply, M. Tensions exploded. Security was increased. Therapy resumed. But paranoia set in fast, and with reason.

Suddenly, a top supplier in Milan cut ties. A shipment was sabotaged. Zen uncovered malware embedded in design software, leaking future lines online. The source? A ghost server rerouted through South Africa—traced to the digital remains of Maison Maro, Celia’s brand. A new trademark emerged: Marno Studios, with the ominous slogan: The flame returns.

As the Forresters scrambled, Steffy proposed a bold counterattack—the Phoenix Gala, a public event celebrating the collection born from tragedy. But sabotage escalated. A rogue website leaked private sketches, therapy notes, even internal emails and voicemails meant to destroy their credibility. Trust fractured. Eric collapsed. Ridge withdrew. Hope pulled her designs. The family teetered on collapse once again.

Then came the most sinister message yet: a box soaked in gasoline and a bolt of fabric with red-stitched words: You built your empire in fire. I will finish it in flame.

The fire alarms were triggered across headquarters. No flames, just fear.

And yet, Steffy refused to yield. Bruised and silent about her injuries, she declared the gala would proceed. Triple security was arranged. But as the models hit the runway, a masked figure slipped in. Margot—Celia’s old accomplice—was caught trying to sabotage the show. She screamed as she was taken away: She’s not done. You think this is over? You have no idea what she’s planning!

Above the chaos, on a rooftop nearby, a woman in a wide hat watched the event unfold, silver rings gleaming on her fingers. She sipped champagne, smiling.

Celia Maro was back.

She had burned their past. She had poisoned their present. And now, she was ready to twist their future into a new legacy—stitched in flame and vengeance.