Page 104 of Sweetest Revenge

I nodded and sat straighter in my seat. A girl came over and started to fix my hair. Another came to apply powder to my nose.

“I’m sure,” I said with an unwavering voice.

I had slept on it for more than a week. Talked to my friends about it. It was time, and when it was done, it would air just before the auction.

“You know, the last time a reporter trusted you, they got sued up the ass,” she said, her eyes narrowing as if she meant to make sure I wouldn’t be doing that to her.

She was an intelligent woman; her name wasn’t just in the Rogue Enquirer but in multiple papers and news stations. Any news segment she presented was guaranteed to have an audience. And I needed that audience.

Her short hair was blunt and fell just below her chin, giving her a serious I’m-not-messing-around look. Her eyes were constantly on me, searching for any tell that I might be lying.

When I didn’t answer, she crossed her long legs. She was wearing a pantsuit, an odd choice for her role; I would have bet on her wearing a dress or something more casual.

She means business.

“This is about fixing wrongs,” I finally said. “Besides, if you take yourself as a serious journalist, this is a story you’d want to share, no matter the consequences.“

She held my gaze for a little longer, then a smile pulled at her lips.

“Okay, then,” she replied as she cleared her throat. “Let’s get started.”

My heart skipped a beat when the cameras started rolling. There was no other lead-up. No prep. She knew what she needed to do and just jumped right into it.

“Good evening. Today, I have a very special guest on my show. You may remember Ms. Addison Mercer, daughter of Alec Mercer, a once-renowned millionaire who infamously got caught in a corruption scandal, which led to him later taking his own life. Ms. Mercer, how are you?”

Jesus. Her voice was sweet, but her gaze was sharp.

I started sweating.

“I’ve been good,” I said with a forced smile, folding my hands in my lap to stop them from shaking.

“Tell us why you’re here tonight. Why come forward now?”

This is it. Deep breaths. In and out.

“I’m here to shed some light on my father’s character.”

She sat up straight, playing the game, even though she already knew what I was here to say.

“To try and salvage his reputation?” she asked, raising a perfectly plucked brow.

“On the contrary. To destroy whatever’s left of it,” I replied and grabbed a large folder from my bag, which I handed to her. “In this file, you will see more of my father’s misdeeds, including the names of over three hundred injured, some now dead, employees because of him.”

“This is quite the accusation.” She raised the folder, showing the camera just how large it was. “Are you aware of the seriousness of this? What it can mean for you? You do share a last name with him.”

I gave her a smile.

“The families he hurt deserve justice. They have already been given restitution, but it’s not enough. The public needs to know what he’s done.”

“What brought this on?” she asked. “Why now?”

I rolled my shoulder back.

“Because I met someone whose life was changed because of my father. His own father was taken from him, and I saw the pain it caused him. I wished I could take it all away. If I could, I would.”

I looked at the camera, making sure my seriousness came through.

Warren, this is for you.

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