Chapter 142
No.1
The offices of Jewel's production company in Midtown Manhattan were a hive of controlled chaos.Assistants rushed past with clipboards, phones rang incessantly, and the walls were lined with framed posters of award-winning documentaries and Emmy nominations.
Jewel led Elisa into her private corner office, shutting the door on the noise. She walked straight to the espresso machine, the clatter of cups a familiar,grounding sound.
"Here," Jewel said, pressing a small, steaming cup into Elisa's hands. "'Drink. You'll need the caffeine."
Elisa took a sip, the bitter liquid burning a trail down her throat. "Why should I do this, Jewel? Sharing a stage with Allena won't be a debate. It'll be a circus."
Jewel walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the river of yellow taxis crawling through the streets below. "Because the court of public opinion is the only court that matters right now," she said,
turning back to face Elisa. "If you don't show up,Allena wins by default."
No.2
"She's the darling of Wall Street right now," Elisa stated, her voice flat. "The 'doctor-CEO.' What's the point of fighting her on her own turf?"
"The point," Jewel said, her eyes flashing with a fierce, protective light, "is that she's a fraud. And if she goes on Capital Minds unopposed, she cements that image forever. Vanguard's stock will skyrocket.She'll become untouchable. You'll never get another shot at her."
Elisa remained silent, the truth of Jewel's words settling over her like a heavy cloak. In the world of capital, perception was reality.
Jewel crossed the room and took Elisa's free hand,her grip warm and firm. "You are Faye. You are the real genius. You need to step into the light and let them see you, not the shadow Allena is casting."
Elisa looked at her friend, seeing the unwavering belief in her eyes. "Fine. But I won't discuss my marriage. I won't be the scorned ex-wife on national TV."
A slow, wicked smile spread across Jewel's face."Don't worry. I'm an executive producer on this episode. I've already had a very... detailed conversation with the host. All questions will be strictly professional.For you."
No.3
"And for Allena?" Elisa asked, catching the glint in Jewel's eye.
"I made no promises regarding her," Jewel said, her smile turning feral. "This is your stage, Elisa. Use it."
A genuine, if small, smile touched Elisa's lips. "Thank you,Jewel."
"We're sisters in arms," Jewel said, squeezing her hand. "Now go prep. Show them who the queen really is."
Elisa left the office, feeling a strange mix of dread and anticipation. As the door clicked shut behind her,Jewel's assistant knocked and entered, holding a printed email.
"Mrs. Gilmore, this just came in from Chambers Group PR," the assistant said, her voice hesitant. "It's regarding the interview."
No.4
Jewel took the paper, her eyes scanning the text. The smile vanished from her face as if it had been slapped off.
The email was clear: August Chambers would be accompanying Dr. Allena Sinclair to the interview,in his capacity as CEO of Chambers Group, to discuss the future of medical investment.
The blood drained from Jewel's face. This changed everything. This wasn't just two women fighting over a professional spotlight. This was August Chambers publicly throwing his entire empire's weight behind his mistress. It was a declaration of war against his own wife.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Elisa's number. It rang and rang, going to voicemail. Elisa was probably already in the elevator, out of signal range.
Jewel paced the length of her office, her mind racing. August's presence would turn the interview into a spectacle of his power and Allena's status.It would be a public execution of Elisa's dignity.
Across town, in the back of a sleek black town car,August was completely unaware of the storm he had
No.5
just triggered. He was staring out the window, his mind still consumed by the gray eyes in the photograph.
Allena was nestled against his side, scrolling through her phone. "August, do you think I should wear the white Dior for the interview? Or the Chanel? White looks so clinical, but it's so 'doctor,' you know?"
"Whatever you want," August murmured, his attention elsewhere.
His phone buzzed. A text from Simon.
Guardian's credit card was just charged a significant amount at The Willow Creek Center for Child Development. The nature of the visit is still under investigation, but it's an exclusive facility.
August frowned. The Willow Creek Center? He knew its reputation-a fortress of porivilege for the elite's most problematic or gifted children. The fees alone would bankrupt a woman like Jewel Gilmore. It didn't make sense. Unless the child was exhibiting signs of trauma... or unless someone else was footing the bill,someone who needed an airtight, prestigious report to prove-or hide-something essential about the girl.
No.6
"August!" Allena whined, poking his arm. "You're not listening. What are you looking at?"
August quickly locked his phone, sliding it into his pocket. He forced a smile, smoothing a hand over Alleña's hair. "I'm thinking about how to make my girl the biggest star on television."
Allena beamed, satisfied. She went back to her phone, happily pinning dress ideas.①
But August's mind was far from the television studio.The Willow Creek Center. He had to see it for himself.He had to know why a five-year-old "adoptee"needed a psychological workup from that specific,exclusive facility.
He pulled out his phone again, typing a quick message to Simon.
Set up a meeting with the director of Willow Creek.Use the Chambers Foundation charity as cover.Tomorrow.