and stale champagne. Aurora sat on a folding chair, hugging hers

He was shouting, but Aurora heard it

tomorrow?" Hansen screamed. He pointed a finger in her fac

rora whispered. He

rrative! And right now, the narrative is that my st

ly, we spin this," she said calmly. "Say she has a history

He looked at Kendall, t

ton's assistant. He didn't look at A

d. "It acknowledges your material misrepresentation. It also waives your ri

ords blurred. Material misrepresen

She tried to stand up. "

ers. Two large security

re," Hansen said.

marched her with a force that bruised. They moved her throug

ng about. Phones went u

er," someo

ra

d. The shoe came off. The guard didn't stop. She hopped,

evolving doors. Th

d out onto the

er hit her instantly, soaking her silk

ashing muddy water onto her legs. The contents spilled out-lips

o gather her things. Her knee scraped aga

were shaking so hard she dropped

nt De

ried

en. Conta

past. The windows were tinted dark, impenetrable. It s

od under the awning, dry and warm. Preston looked at her-

said something to Ken

inside her chest. It wasn't

t sidewalk. She curled in on herself, wrapping her arms around her stomach

ba

protect it. This thing that had ruined her li

m here, there was only one way to go. She had one card left to play. A nuclear option she had been researching

ead car, a Rolls-Royce Phantom with custom plates, stopped directly in front of

been tracking its owner's move

. She walked not to the passenger door, but to the driver's side window, forcing

she saw him. Corbin Heath. His eyes were the color

me, Ms. Paul," he said, his voi