Page 63
Story: Fake Lemons Love and Luxury
Now, look.
I pivot for one last shot, holding the two products beside each other. “Together, they create a kind of glow that looks effortless,” I say. “But like everything worth having, it’s the result of care.”
The click of the shutter. The light flash.
And then?—
“Wren.”
Talia’s voice cuts through everything. I turn. She’s at the edge of the set, tablet clutched against her chest, her expression tight.
Uh-oh. What now?
A pit forms in my stomach.
“Give me a minute,” I tell the photographer, slipping out of frame and walking toward her.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, already bracing.
Talia holds out the tablet and I already know I’m not going to like what I see.
“Interview aired last evening,” she says. “It’s making rounds now.”
I blink. “What interview?”
“Marlowe Gray.”
I don’t even flinch. Not anymore.
I press play.
The video loads before I even take a full breath. An interview excerpt of Marlowe in a studio lit to make her look like some delicate, overexposed angel. She’s draped in cream silk, hair styled within an inch of its life, all ease and charm.
“I’ve always believed that ethics in the beauty industry should come first,” she says, her voice honey-smooth. “Transparency matters to consumers.”
The interviewer leans in. “Would you say that’s true across the board?”
Marlowe’s expression shifts with faux measured concern. “Unfortunately, no. Some major players don’t hold themselves to the same standards. It’s disappointing and embarrassing to see big brands stealing concepts from smaller creators.”
She lets the words hang, then smiles. That awful, gracious smile.
“And then trying to divert attention with… PR stunts. Fake relationships. Sudden charitable giving. Calculated, not genuine.”
The interviewer leans in. “Are you saying there are people in the industry using PR to cover up bad behavior? Or scandals?”
“I’m just saying… It's interesting who wants to be seen as a hero all of a sudden. My point in whole is the beauty industry needs to hold itself to higher standards.”
I don’t realize I’ve clenched my teeth until my jaw starts to ache.
“She didn’t say your name,” Talia says, “but?—”
“She didn’t have to.”
Talia swipes the screen again.
“Right. Camille reposted Marlowe’s video on her Insta story last night.”
“They’re still going?”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63 (Reading here)
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79