Page 108 of Anyone But the Superstar

‘Hmmm.’ There’s a wealth of insinuation in that sound.

‘I’m here as the final step between you and your collaboration with Moore’s.’

‘Final step?’ Camilla’s voice sharpens. ‘The contracts are signed. I was told I was here for product selection.’

‘That was before.’

‘Before what?’

‘Before you started blackmailing people.’

I hold my breath, fists clenched.

‘I—I don’t know what you mean.’

‘Listen, Cammie.’ Elizabeth’s voice softens, having heard the tell-tale stutter. ‘I know what it’s like.’

‘Know what what’s like?’

‘I know what it’s like to be put in a box. Told what to do and when to do it. Not knowing if your choices are your own or what others want from you.’

Thomas’ eye twitches. Chase’s foot bounces up and down.

My heart aches.

‘But you don’t have to find your way like this.’ Papers shuffle. ‘By signing these, you can start fresh. Stop hurting people and work with Moore’s to?—’

Camilla laughs. ‘Are you under the impression that I did what I did because I feel trapped?’ She snorts. ‘You know, I hadn’t heard much from you since the whole mishap with your father.’ Camilla pauses. ‘I mean the man youthoughtwas your father.’

The three of us start.

Mike pauses his licking.

‘But it seems that your whole sabbatical fromreal lifehas made you delusional.’

There’s a pause.

‘I see.’ Elizabeth sounds disappointed, yet unsurprised.

‘Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to continue on with what I came here for.’

‘Certainly.’ There’s a click and then, ‘You can send them in.’

I glance to either side of me, but neither Thomas nor Chase gives any indication of what’s happening next.

‘Here we are,’ a different woman calls out, entering the room.

‘Our mother,’ Chase whispers.

‘I was just treating Mr Branson to a late lunch.’

‘The treat was all mine, Eleanor,’ a man, Mr Branson I’m guessing, replies.

Elizabeth’s mother titters. ‘Oh, stop it.’

‘Daddy?’ Camilla’s voice sounds strangled. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘I was invited, of course. The Moores have given an interest in donating to the Branson Foundation.’

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