Page 88 of Holly Jolly Heat
"Already sent an email," Dex said, showing me his phone. "They were watching the stream."
My heart stopped. "What did it say?"
He handed me the phone. I read:
Ms. Rodriguez,
We were among the viewers of your announcement stream this evening. We appreciate your transparency and your proactive approach to addressing potential conflicts of interest.
After review of your stated protocols and your professional history, we find that you have adequately addressed our concerns regarding professional ethics and conflict of interest. We are closing the preliminary inquiry.
Your commitment to transparency and professional standards is commendable. Thank you for setting a positive example for the industry.
Sincerely,
Ethics Committee, Creator Management Alliance
I read it three times, not quite believing it.
"They closed the inquiry," I whispered. "They said we set a positive example."
"Because you did," Lucas said. "Michelle, you just changed the industry. You proved that pack bonds and professional management can coexist. You made it easier for every omega manager who comes after you."
"We need to tell Matthew Malone to go to hell," Dex said with satisfaction.
My phone started buzzing and didn't stop. Messages flooded in:
Client texts: "That took guts. Respect."
Industry colleagues: "Well played, Rodriguez."
Other managers: "Thank you for being transparent. This helps all of us."
Callie: "YOU WERE PERFECT. I'm so proud of you. Call me tomorrow. "
And then, one from Matthew Malone:
You got ahead of me. Well played. But this isn't over.
I showed it to my pack.
"Let him try," Dex said flatly. "You beat him once. You'll beat him again."
"We'll beat him again," Ro corrected. "Together."
"As pack," Lucas finished, pulling me back into his arms.
Through the bond, I felt their emotions: pride, love, relief, determination.
We'd done it.
We'd gone public, controlled the narrative, gotten ahead of the scandal.
We'd proven that I wouldn’t back down.
And most importantly, we'd proven that pack and profession could coexist with transparency and ethics.
"I need to sit down," I said. "And maybe eat something. And possibly pass out from adrenaline crash."
