The woman standing before them was Sloane, a rival who seemed to have been crafted in a laboratory for the sole purpose of tormenting Charlie. When Charlie held an art exhibition, Sloane organized one the following week. When Charlie released a new design collection, Sloane’s “inspired” line was never far behind. She was a shadow, a parasite of creativity.

The sales associate, a young woman with a name tag that read “Elise,” visibly wavered, her eyes darting between the recognized ...