Page 68 of Sinful Lies

“We were actually aware that Miss Dupont was having a tough time, which is why we ensured she was under the care of a psychiatrist. She had regular sessions with Dr. Huang every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Additionally, we arranged alternative therapies—homeopathic treatments, traditional Chinese medicine—to give her a more holistic approach in managing her anxiety and negative thoughts.”

Lie after lie after fucking lie.

But I knew the press would eat it up.

They wanted a neat little package, something they could twist and sensationalize, and I’d made sure all the sources were legit.

They scribbled furiously, nodding like sheep.

McLoad sat back down, and another reporter immediately jumped up—a petite woman with a cropped pixie cut.

She grabbed the mic with purpose.

“Alexandra Jasper from Fox News,” she said. “Miss Whitenhouse, knowing a woman your age, working in the same company, chose to end her life—doesn’t that scare you? Don’t you worry that the Lazzio empire’s relentless pressure might have driven her to this? Are you not afraid you might face a similar fate?”

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as they turned their eyes to me, waiting for a reaction.

I knew what Jasper was getting at—the implication that the Lazzio name was a curse, a brand of power that crushed the souls of those under it.

And while she wasn’t entirely wrong, she was still crossing a fucking line.

Jade offered a small, soft smile. “Thank you, Miss Jasper, for your concern,” she said. “Firstly, I want to say that Pauline was a dear friend of mine. She had a beautiful soul, always finding the good in people, and she believed that art should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.” She paused, taking a shaky breath as if to steady herself. “Waking up to the news of her passing was devastating. Knowing I couldn’t be there for her in her darkest moment is something I’ll carry with me for a long time.”

A tear slid down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away.

A few of the women in the room murmured sympathetic noises, urging her to take her time, as if this wasn’t a show being put on for their benefit.

Jade took a slow, deep breath, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make everyone a little uncomfortable.

“Losing someone so close is… indescribable,” she continued, her voice catching ever so slightly. “We all knew Pauline was going through a rough time, but no one could have imagined it would come to this. If I could go back and do things differently,I would. I wish I’d checked in on her more, been there when she needed a friend. But we can’t change the past.”

She glanced at me, her eyes searching for a silent reassurance.

I feigned it, resting my hand on her shoulder, then slowly trailing it down her back before allowing it to drop back to my side.

She continued, her eyes locking on Alexandra Jasper. “As for me, Lazzio Entertainment Group, and specifically Lazzio Exhibits Inc., where I serve as COO, have been nothing short of the foundation of my dreams and the springboard for my success.”

My eyes didn’t drift from her.

“This company has been the blueprint for innovation, professional growth, and pushing boundaries. So, no, Miss Jasper. I don’t fear that I’ll meet the same fate as Pauline. The cause of her tragic end wasn’t this company—it was her struggle with mental health. And it’s a struggle many face, often silently.”

Alexandra Jasper’s lips thinned into a line, clearly not satisfied with the carefully polished answer.

She leaned back, folding her arms, but said nothing more.

I leaned forward slightly, catching the room’s attention.

“What happened to Pauline was a tragedy,” I said, my voice steady. “And while it’s easy to speculate and point fingers, the truth is that mental health struggles are complex, and deeply personal. We did everything we could to support her, but sometimes it’s not enough. We will be conducting a full internal review to see if there were any warning signs we missed, or if there’s more we could have done. Our hearts go out to her family and loved ones.”

The room buzzed with whispers, pens scratching across notepads as journalists scrambled to capture every word.

Grace stepped forward, a firm but polite smile on her face as she addressed the crowd. “Thank you all for your questions. That’s all the time we have for today. We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.”

Jade gave me a quick, knowing look, a ghost of a smirk playing at her lips.

She knew we’d pulled it off.

I held her gaze a moment longer, the sinful thoughts in my head darkening my every breath.

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