Page 165 of Damaged Mogul
This conversation is draining.
This conversation is killing my fucking soul.
Without so much as a goodbye, I end the call.
I should’ve expressed my anger at my father instead of letting it consume me, but as usual, I toe the line.
Nadine hates how I’m always the one to put water in my wine. I’m not conceding to my father’s bullshit, but until I can stand on my own two feet financially, my hands are bound.
I’m still on the verge of blowing a gasket when a text from my father pops up on my screen.
Puppet Master: Don’t let a player play you. When you get back to New York on Saturday, let’s have dinner.
“Jerk!”
Chapter 30
Gage
God should bestow on us humans only one hellish day per month.
There weren’t enough extra tall cups of steaming latte, doped with a double shot of espresso or top-shelf whiskey to make Monday palatable. At least, Tuesday is looking like a day that won’t cause my head to explode. After a morning at Wire News Network’s Enews studios with the publicist and my show host, I eventually have the stomach to handle food.
“That was some outstanding PR work this morning,” Rhys says, his eyes meeting mine. “I caught the highlights of Matthew’s interview on WNN. He handled it with such composure.”
After not eating all day yesterday, lunch atTriple Crèmeinside the Quintus Hotel is exactly what the doctor ordered.
I finish chewing the bite of my delicious prosciutto and grilled aubergine sandwich before answering him. “Snow and Blanche Hyman upped the drama factor by having Snow sit in the audience of the different talk shows Blanche selected for her media circus. Blanche’s defamation campaign was well-crafted. Too bad her most damning piece of evidence had zero credibility.”
He nods.
“The publicist was worth every penny,” I say. “She masterminded the attack. She has high-ranking contacts at WNN, so she was able to secure Matthew a last-minute interview.”
“It’s baffling he had to expose that much of his private life to ward off those hounds.”
“You mean, pariahs.”
“That’s a more accurate term. Blanche is nasty.”
“And a fucking liar.” My lips curl up in a snarl. “What kind of example is she setting for her daughter? What about working your way to the top instead of bullshitting your way to the top?”
Rhys nods. “I wonder if we’ll ever find out whose cock that was.”
“Whoever that was, thanks for taking one for the team.” I sneer. “And thanks for clearing Matthew’s name.”
Rhys chuckles. “How did you find out Blanche was going to stoop that low?”
“Monday kicked off in a startling stir?—”
“Isn’t that typical of any Monday?”
“You’re right.” I let out an audible breath. “Had it not been for a publicist who has her ear to the ground, Blanche’s new claims could’ve been the kiss of death for Matthew’s and the show’s reputation. Thank God the publicist caught wind Blanche had a breaking news interview lined up. We all congregated in a conference room at my office, waiting on tenterhooks. The interviewer’s opening statement toppled me over. We all watched as Blanche cried wolf about appalling dick pics Matthew sent her daughter. One look at the blurred image, and Matthew exploded in laughter.”
Rhys’s brows furrow. “What was so funny?”
“Once Matthew found his composure, he explained hisbaffling reaction. After hearing his explanation, I sighed in relief.”
“Don’t keep me waiting. Did Blanche have ammo or not?”
