Chapter 54
“Oh my God.”
The words escaped my lips as Rachel Miller–supposedly locked in a psychiatric facility–stood confidently beside Victoria Palmer at the press conference. both women smiling like predators whod comered their prey
“As Sage Winters stepsister, Rachel said into the microphone. “I have a responsibility to reveal her violent tendencies and crimes she committed
My nightmare had materialized on national television.
Six years of carefully rebuilding my life, evaporating in real–time.
My phone buzzed frantically–Isolde again, this time with a string of panicked texts.
Before I could respond, my security panel chimed with her arrival code.
She must have rushed over immediately after calling me about the news.
Isolde burst through the door moments later, face flushed from running.
Without a word, she grabbed the remote and killed the broadcast.
“Don 1 watch this garbage. Martinez is already on it.”
Caspian entered from the kitchen, fare hard with rage.
“They want war,” he said quietly. “We’ll give them war.”
Within the hour, our war council assembled in Caspians conference room–Isolde monitoring social media, Marcus making calls to contacts, Blake and Mark terwing security protocols, and Agent Martinez joining by video.
“Rachel Miller escaped psychiatric custody forty–eight hours ago, Maninez confirmed. “Victoria visited the facility three days prior with forged attorney credentials.”
“They can’t get into this building, Mark assured us, spreading security system readouts. “I’ve upgraded everything–biometric locks, motion sensors, facial recognition.
Blake turned his phone toward me. “Victoria just posted this exposé. She’s claiming you tried to murder your stepfather.”
I flinched as thousands of shares and vicious comments flooded the screen.
My carefully constructed walls were crumbling.
“We need to counter this,” Marcus said. “I have contacts at three networks wholl give ds airtime.”
aspian teached across the table and covered my hand with his.
“You dont have to face this alone. Not this time
I took a deep breath.
are of t
Robert a voice slithered through the phone.
daughter a daing quite well on television, don’t you think, 7-
| sripped the railing to steady myself.
Robert was supposed to be in county lockup awaiting trial after our earlier confrontation.
“How are you even calling me? You re supposed to be in custody.”
His day laugh chilled me..
“You think Palmer can’t arrange a bail heating? Money talks, Little girl. I’m out on bond–temporary freedom, courtesy of some very powerful new friends.”
“Why now, Robert?” I kept my voice level despite my racing heart.
“The Palmer family found me in jail, made an offer I couldn’t refuse. Five hundred thousand dollars, and I’ll tell reporters Rachel’s accusations are lies.”
“You think I’d believe you?”
“Do you have a choice?
His voice hardened
“Every TV station is running stoties about your criminal history. Your career is over unless I help you ́
Im not running anymore.” I said with surprising calmness.
“You’ll regret this little girl. Three hours to reconsider. Then I go to the media with de
details even Rachel doesnt know,”
He gave an address in an industrial district before hanging up.
Back in the conference room, I explained Robert’s ultimatum.
Its obviously rap.” Mark insisted. “We need FBI backup.”
announced, cutting through their objections. “Not to pay him, but to end this. If we record him admitting to blackmail and threats, we can
Not alone,” Caspian said firmly. “If you’re going. I’m coming
g with yo
you.”
The abandoned factory loomed against the afternoon sky.
Lach step toward the entrance felt like walking to
to my execution, yet strangely
liberating.
Inside, sunlight fibered through broken skylights as I moved deeper into the cavernous space,
bert emerged from the shadows, older now but with the same cold ey
“Well, well You actually came alone. I thought you send your quarterback boyfriend.”
This is between you and me,” I said, meeting his gaze directly
Brought the money?
anything. I need know you ll tell the truth about what happened that night.
akut me with a lamp and feeding Does that sound like self defense?
