Page 31 of Lavish

The screen cut back to the anchor. “The worker’s claims are now being investigated by authorities, and his lawyer is preparing a lawsuit against Whitmore Ventures for negligence. We’ve reached out to the company for comment but received no response.”

My phone rang. Ma.

“Serena,” I said, the name slicing out like a blade. “It must be her fault.”

“Ah.” Dante nodded slowly. “How could I forget the petty fighting you and the Kings have been doing for years? Haven’t decided on a winner yet?”

I ran a hand across my face, trying to prevent myself from blowing up.

“Let’s change the channel, shall we?”

He grabbed the remote and pressed a button. The screen showed a protest outside King Developments office. It was intense: tons of banners and signs protesting pollution, and massive crowds chanting and holding signs saying things like “Protect Our Planet.”

“Our top story tonight is an environmental protest is underway outside King Developments’ headquarters. Activists are rallying against the company, alleging its role in environmental degradation linked to several recent projects.”

The anchor continued while putting a photo of Serena on the screen.

“Activists have recently mobilized in response to leaked documents that suggest the company has been engaged in shady practices for the last several years,” the anchor continued.

“Funny how these things play out, huh?” Dante tilted his head before sucking his teeth. “You’re both having a bad day.”

The screen showed images of polluted waterways, deforested areas, and the leaked documents.

“These revelations have sparked a wave of scrutiny and backlash against the company, highlighting their disregard for environmental protection.”

"I didn't, but should have," I said. Dante clicked his tongue. “Thanks for letting me know, but you gotta go. I obviously have shit I need to handle.”

“People have told me they saw you and Serena fighting at the auction hall this afternoon. And at Laurene’s baby shower a week ago. And before this at a dozen of other places around town.” Dante’s eyes widened. “You’re not happy about this?”

I stood up, and Dante did the same, his gaze darkening.

“She’s the one who’s been sabotagingme. Don’t I get to be the victim?”

“And what’ve you done in return?” Dante cut in. “You’ve been fighting so long you forgot the town’s watching.”

“That’s bullshit.” I waved him off. “Did you have this conversation with her too? Or you didn’t ’cause you on they payroll? You’re here as their lackey?”

He stepped closer, slow, calculated. “You two got more power than you know, Miles. And you’re wasting it. Burning down the empire your families built for what? Pettiness? She hurt your feelings? You can’t take rejection?”

I laughed bitterly. “Don’t act like you care now. Where were you when all this shit started?”

Dante’s smile faded.

“I care about the wreckage. The donors. The headlines. The way your drama’s makingmelook like I don’t have control over my city anymore. Now was not the time to fuck up.”

His voice dropped a notch.

“Now I’m taking control.”

I looked at him, confused. “What the hell does that mean? You mean Yvonne King isactuallygoing to let you do your job?”

“I have plans, Miles.Big plans.” Dante waved his hands like he was pushing back a curtain. “Because of you two, who I suspect planted these stories on each other?—”

“I didn’t do?—”

Dante shook his head. “I don’t give a fuck who did what. I’ve just lost a deal that was going to bring a huge festival to Lush. A multimillion-dollar, three-day extravaganza. So much money was coming here.” Dante’s faced balled up into anger. “And now they’re pulling out. Why? Because no one wants to be tied to a town in the middle of a public war with two prominent families. They looked into our history, and guess what was the first thing they saw?”

I swallowed and looked down at the floor.