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“Then I hope you have a plan to fight back,” Madison said, her voice almost sympathetic. “Because this article is already gaining traction. It won’t be long before the industry starts talking.”
A sick feeling settled in my stomach.
I ended the call without another word and slowly lowered my phone. My fingers trembled slightly.
Marc walked past me, pausing when he caught sight of my face. “You okay?”
I forced a nod. “Yeah. I just need a minute.”
I stepped into my office and shut the door, gripping the edge of my desk as I tried to steady my breathing.
It’s just an article. People will forget about it in a week.
Except they wouldn’t.
This industry was ruthless. Reputation was everything. One bad headline, one rumor, and it could all crumble.
I squeezed my eyes shut, frustration burning behind them.
I had worked too hard for this.
I wouldn’t let one bitter rival take me down.
CHRISTIAN
“We’ve got a problem,” Eric told me, tone clipped.
I’d been in enough high-stakes negotiations to recognize the undercurrent of tension in his voice.
It told me something serious had gone sideways.
I exhaled sharply, setting my drink down on the marble counter of my penthouse. “Tell me.”
“There’s a hit piece on Scarlett in Luxe Dining—full-page feature.”
My grip on the glass tightened.
Luxe Dining was one of the biggest food magazines in the industry, the kind that could make or break a chef’s reputation.
I turned toward the massive windows overlooking the city, my jaw flexing as I asked, “How bad?”
Eric hesitated, and that alone told me everything.
“They’re calling her a fraud. Accusing her of stealing recipes, taking credit for her staff’s work, even blacklisting former employees.” He let out a breath. “It’s not subtle, Christian. It’s a full-on smear campaign.”
Heat licked at the edges of my temper.
I’d been in the business world long enough to know how these things worked—someone with a grudge was behind this.
Someone with money and connections.
I grabbed my phone, already pulling up Scarlett’s number.
We need to talk. I’ll come by after closing.
Three dots appeared, then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Finally, her response came through.