When Vera arrived, Zachary was still visibly uneasy.


    “I’ll go with you,” he insisted.


    “That’s not necessary,” Alessia replied. “It’s just that if Ie home toote, <b>I’ll </b>disturb my parents‘ sleep. They’ve been exhaustedtely with all the renovations. Don’t worry–there’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”


    Zachary leaned on the car window, reluctant to let her go. “I know you’re capable, but don’t push yourself too hard, okay?”


    Alessia couldn’t help but smile wryly at his persistence, the corners of her mouth quirking up. She nodded. “Let me say goodnight in advance, then. I’ll see you


    tomorrow.”


    He reached out and ruffled her hair gently. “Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”


    As the car pulled away, Zachary stood at the bus stop, watching until it disappeared from sight, worry still etched on his face.


    On the ride, Alessia scrolled through thetest trending topics on her phone. Fitch, at least, wasn’t a total fool–he’d chosen a time when most people were off work and even posted screenshots of his diagnosis. He painted himself as the victim, spinning the story so that thepany looked like it was only protecting Tristan and trying to push a neer into the spotlight by forcing him out. ording to Fitch, he’d stood up for himself and gotten punched for it; his words sounded so sincere that even random bystanders would feel sorry for him–let alone his fans.


    But Tristan’s fans weren’t exactly pushovers, either. The two sides were at each other’s throats, flooding thepany’s official social media with demands for a statement and the truth. Some were already starting to boycott the new artist’s


    debut.


    “How’s the situation with the Tillman family?” Alessia asked.


    “We did as you instructed,” Vera replied. “The contract meeting was canceled yesterday. They seem to have no idea what their son has been up to.”


    “They’ll find out soon enough.” Alessia’s voice was icy. “Everyone has to pay for their actions eventually


    She set her phone aside and looked out at the city lights streaking past.


    “The attorney is already on the way,” Vera continued. “We’ve gathered all the


    11:55


    <b>evidence</b>. <b>Three </b><b>of </b><b>the </b><b>victims </b><b>are </b><b>willing to </b><b>go </b><b>public</b><b>, </b><b>and </b><b>the </b><b>rest </b><b>are </b><b>prepared </b>to testify anonymously<b>.</b>”


    “No need to put anyone on video,” Alessia said, her tone gentle <b>but </b><b>firm</b><b>. </b><b>“</b><b>Make </b><b>sure </b>to blur faces and alter voices in anything already recorded. Some wounds <b>are </b>enough to endure once–we can’t let them be hurt again.”


    Vera’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, but her professionalism kept her emotions in check. “Understood.”


    Alessia exhaled, rubbing her temples. She’d only meant to dig up some dirt on him<b>, </b>but she hadn’t expected to uncover such filth.


    “There’s so much scum in this world,” she muttered.


    Vera stiffened, her thoughts drifting to her own mother, still lying in a hospital bed


    after all this time.


    “Yeah,” she said quietly. “It’s unbelievable there are so many out there.”


    The rest of the drive passed in silence. By the time they pulled up in front of the office building, Vera hadposed herself.


    The building was aze with light. They took the private elevator straight to the conference room, where the others were already assembled–plus two more than expected.


    Cole greeted Alessia with a nod and gestured to the empty seat at the head of the


    table.


    There was no small talk. They got straight to business.


    “Everyone’s seen what’s happening online,” Alessia began. “It’s manageable. The PR team can release a statement immediately. Put Fitch’s refusal to cooperate withpany protocols and Candace’s abuse of authority front and center. Attach all the relevant evidence and video clips. Make sure there are no loopholes–don’t give anyone an excuse to twist this.”


    Her presencemanded the room as soon as she sat down.


    “Yes, ma’am!” the PR manager replied, jotting down notes with a grave expression.


    “Candace…” Lillian hesitated. After all, she’d mentored Candace herself. It was hard to just cast her aside.


    “Lillian,” Alessia said, ncing sideways at her, “you know better than anyone who actually wrote Fitch’s statement, don’t you?”


    11:56


    Lillian froze, then lowered her head in silence.


    11.66