Page 11 of Suddenly Desired
“Not since it floated,” David said. “She had Maurice’s backing. Agnes’s too.”
Blake bit his tongue. David was right. Even though he and David had built Heartbook together, they didn’t control it anymore. If the board had a majority, then any decision they passed was law.
“I’m doing what I can,” said David, his voice crackling over the line. “But the posts are still appearing, going back further. They’re getting worse, too. There’s nothing you can do from there. Let me handle it.”
Blake nodded. “Handle it,” he said. “Please.”
He ended the call and dropped his phone on to his desk, gripping the edges to steady himself. His pulse pounded in his ears, rage simmering just beneath the surface. He wanted to fight back, to wrest control of his company from Michelle, from Maurice, from Agnes — from whoever thought they could manipulate the empire he’d built from scratch. But right now, all he had was anger and no direction to channel it.
He stared at his phone, hesitating for a moment before picking it back up and scrolling through his contacts. If anyone could give him clarity in this context, it was his old friend and fellow APEX Billionaire Club member Devlin Storm. Devlin had once been the target of a lot of negative press — he’d know what to do.
The line barely rang before Devlin’s voice came through, steady and grounded. “Blake, I didn’t expect to hear from you. What’s happened?”
“Have you not seen the news?”
“I’ve been out on the mountains,” Devlin replied, and in the background Blake could hear the thrum of the blades on Devlin’s rescue chopper. “Give me the bullet points.”
“I need advice,” Blake said, his voice tight. “I’m in a mess. Someone has hacked my Heartbook account and made misogynistic comments in my name. My company is in lockdown, my access blocked, the board’s made a move against me, and the whole of the internet is convinced I’m a prejudiced arsehole. It’s bad, Devlin.”
There was a pause, the sound of muffled voices and the faint whir of helicopter blades.
“Damn,” Devlin said, eventually. “I’m online and I can see why you’re calling.”
Blake let out a sharp exhale, running a hand through his hair, afraid of what Devlin was reading.
“I didn’t say those things.”
“Of course you didn’t. Did you think I’d even think it, let alone believe this crap?”
“So, what should I do? What would you do?”
“Have you talked to Nate? If anyone can help, it’s him,” Devlin said, his tone calm. “But I’d start by deciding what matters most. Is it the company? Your reputation? Or something else entirely? You can’t fight everything at once, Blake. Pick your priority and hit it hard.”
Blake swallowed, his throat tightening. “The company. Heartbook. It’s everything I’ve built.”
“Then focus on that,” Devlin hit back. “You don’t need to defend yourself to the mob. Let the noise die down while you digfor the truth. Find out who’s really behind this, and don’t stop until you have answers. But Blake . . .”
“What?” Blake’s grip was tightening on his phone.
“Don’t lose yourself in the process. Your company might be hugely successful, but you’re more than that.”
Blake nodded, even though Devlin couldn’t see him. “Thanks, Dev. I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Devlin said as the whir of the blades increased. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’m about to lift off. But remember, stay clear-headed, focus on your priority, and don’t let them pull you under.”
“Love you, man,” Blake said.
“You too.” The line went dead.
Blake laid the phone gently on the desk and leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as Devlin’s sage words echoed in his mind.Pick your priority. Hit it hard.
He knew what he had to do. It was time to stop reacting and start taking control.
But first . . .
He made his way back to his bedroom, grabbed a grey sports hoodie from his wardrobe and zipped it up. He put up his hood and donned a pair of aviator sunglasses from the table by the door. Glancing in the mirror, he decided he could be anyone, just an average guy out for a walk. He picked up the pink book again, reading the note:
No money to give you, but come down to The Bookworm Café and I’ll make you a coffee!!!
