he elevator onto the VI

awless, her heels clicking sharply against the linoleum. She looked nothing

tly toward Ashel

tely stepped forward, crossing the

ed inches from their chests and lo

erger's condition suddenly deteriorates because she didn't receive her medication on time, I imagine the fir

ance. The threat was baseless, but Fallo

Fallon reached out, turned the bra

epped

She wasn't having a panic attack. She was wearing a hydrating sheet mask, casually scrolling through a luxury fa

d open, both Ashely

n on Ashely's face vanished.

he grabbed the edge of the blanket and pulled it up to her chin, shrinking bac

here?" Ashely stammered, h

door shut and twisted the deadbolt. The loud click

the expensive medical equipment. The corner of her mouth twitched upward in a

shouted, jumping to his feet. He tried to

wly toward the bed, stopping right at the edg

alk," Fa

y cried out. Right on cue, large, perfect tears w

abric of her white dress. "Let's talk about the physics of the crash. The speed and the angle at which you threw your body a

rom Ashely's face. The

lub. The perfectly timed press release. You hired the photographer, didn't you? It's a brilliant s

e didn't say a word. She just sta

eaning forward slightly.

eless behind locked doors, she slowly lowered the blanket. The fake tea

oice losing its breathy sweetness, "

. "What you want is exactly

y sparked in Ashely's eyes. "I want everything you

on

nswer was

thrown off balance. "What

ncing every word with crystal clarity. "But in exchange, you will hold a press conference tod

a sharp, mocking laugh. "Are you

vorce out. I will fight it in court for one year, two years, ten years. As long as my signature is not on that paper, you will never be anythi

e smugness vanished, replac

bedside table, began to vibrate. The sc

e looked up at Fallon. A terrifying,

phone off the tab

blood-curdling, desperate shriek. "Help me! She's here

s, Ashely lunged forward. She grabbed Fal

The sharp movement tore through her skin, leaving four deep, bloody scratches. Before Fallon could p

he room. It smashed against the wall. Then, she threw hersel