After hanging up, Briony set her phone aside and went to take a shower.

About fifteen minutes later, she stepped out of the bathroom in her pajamas. Her phone was buzzing on the bed.

It was James calling.

Briony answered, "Did you get it done?"

"Something's wrong."

James sounded serious on the other end. "I contacted several news outlets, even reached out to some PR accounts, but the moment they heard Stewart's name, they all refused."

Briony frowned. "Not even if we pay extra?"

"They didn't even ask about the price. Stewart clearly got to them first."

Briony had expected it wouldn't be easy to leak anything online, but she hadn't anticipated this level of resistance.

She'd assumed, at worst, it would play out like before—she'd expose Stewart, and he'd scramble to bury the trending news, erasing every trace.

She'd been counting on that brief window before he managed to cover it up.

But Stewart had already sealed off every avenue. He hadn't left her a single chance.

something else," James said. "There's a story about Ms. Hudson making the rounds

Briony's heart skipped a beat, a wave of dread washing over

killed your stepdad five years ago

Briony's voice rose, panic edging her words. "My mom suffered years of abuse-she acted in self-defense, and it was

calm down. I just think it's odd.

gone for years. Suddenly, this story pops up and starts trending- someone's

Briony froze.

it have

up on James and immediately dialed Stewart's

several times before he picked

him to speak. Her tone was cold,

Stewart didn't answer.

silence said it

you do this? Stewart, my mother is dead! Are you so heartless you'd use a dead woman

to accuse

to admit

days to think, you come home and try to buy a hit piece on me? Briony, you're so naïve. Do you really think you

her lips together,

this from you," Stewart said, letting out a low, humorless laugh. “And I warned you-you can't

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