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Harlow repeated what Janice said. “Robert told you not to contact me?”

“Correct.”

She felt as if someone had sucked the air from her lungs. Her friends hadn’t abandoned her! Robert was keeping them away. He had gone behind her back, telling the people who cared about her, who were worried, not to bother her. “Did he give you a reason why?”

“Because you’re under extreme duress. I’ll be honest…and I hate to say this.” Janice hesitated.

“Say what?”

“He almost made it sound like perhaps you’re emotionally unstable.”

“Emotionally unstable,” Harlow gasped.

“He didn’t come right out and call you unstable, but Robert definitely alluded to you having caused the accident. Hang on.”

Harlow could tell Janice was on the move. A door closed, and then her muffled voice grew clearer. “It’s all right to feel overwhelmed. All you had to do was reach out and ask for help. You know I would’ve been there.”

“Everyone deals with stress, but I can assure you I wasn’t stressed out enough to crash my Ferrari. It was an accident. I dropped my cell phone. I did a dumb thing and looked down to grab it. All it took was a split second and my car crossed the center line. I jerked the wheel and lost control.”

“So…you’re not having a nervous breakdown?”

“No. But I might need bail money when I get my hands on my husband,” Harlow fumed. “Who else has Robert told this pack of lies to?”

“It’s mostly been kept hush-hush. You know the rumor mill around here. We can’t control that. I issued a formal press release based on what Robert wanted me to say not long after it happened. Do you want me to send you a copy?”

“Please. As soon as you get a chance.”

“Standby.” Janice’s voice grew muffled. “It’s on the way. I am so glad to hear from you, Harlow.”

“And I’m glad I called.”

Tink.

“It came through. Hang on.”

“I’m hanging.”

Harlow clicked on the message and opened the attachment. The press release was brief and to the point. It stated she’d been involved in a car accident, was expected to make a full recovery and all inquiries or correspondence were directed to Robert.

Harlow clicked away from the message. “Are you still there?”

“Yes.”

“So…Robert cut you out. He’s handling everything for me.”

“In a nutshell. He didn’t fire me or my agency per se, but he made it crystal clear he’ll be handling your public releases until further notice.” Janice told her as soon as the press release was sent, he put her on hiatus.

“He never breathed a word to me.”

“Maybe because Robert believes you caused the accident and is trying to protect you.”

“More like he’s trying to control me,” Harlow said. “I’ve officially reinstated you.”

“I…are you sure? Do you want to run it by Robert first?”

“No. I don’t and I won’t. From here on out, you will only go through me. In fact, please don’t mention our conversation to him,” Harlow said. “I’ll handle Robert.”

“I hope I haven’t caused problems between you two,” Janice said.