Page 38 of Lavish

Daddy sat across from her desk. He looked exhausted. Mama stood, harshly lit by her desk lamp. She glared sharply at me. I steeled myself.

Don’ t let her words get to you, offer solutions.

“I know, Mama, I’m handling it—” I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.

“Handling it?” she scoffed. “You’rehandlingit? Is that why this has been on the news for the last few hours? Erik is taking shit from all sides! He’s in an emergency meeting right now with the board. Did you know they’ve made shanty towns on the goddamn sidewalk outside the office? That’s youhandling it?”

I knew this tone. Knew it better than my own heartbeat. Mama was angry, but not just angry—disappointed. And that? That was worse.

Because anger I could fix. Anger meant there was still room to prove myself. Disappointment was a closed door. A verdict.

Mama turned to the TV mounted on the far wall, the muted screen replaying the breaking news. “They’re sayingourcompany destroyed habitats, poisoned water sources, displaced families. Did you sign off on any of this?”

Yes.

“No. It’s staged,” I said, cool and flat. “The protestors were hired. Paid to create buzz for a competing firm trying to tank our deal.”

Mama stared at me. Not shocked. Not impressed. Just…still. Measuring. I hated when she got like this. Silent judgment was worse than shouting.

She walked to the bar, poured herself a drink, and said nothing.

“We’ll get this cleared up,” I told her. “Immediately.”

“See, Yvonne, I told you something like this wouldn’t happen under Rena’s watch,” Daddy said.

“Mama—”

“You’re telling me, with all our connections, all the peopleyouknow, you didn’t hear anything about thisbeforethe news got hold of it?” Mama narrowed her gaze on me.

Lie.

“Of course I did,” I said, lifting my chin. “But it wasn’t credible intel. Protest threats come in with every project—and a couple of our competitors always send some. This wasn’t anything new. They just actually decided to be bold this time.”

Her eyes flicked toward Daddy, but she didn’t look convinced.

“Yvonne, Serena’s never had an issue before running the company. Let her fix this instead of stressing ourselves out,” Daddy said.

Finally, Mama’s shoulders lowered, and she nodded slowly.

“We need to shift the focus. Establish it’s a lie, but prove that we’re committed to the environment and the people. Create a new narrative that overshadows the protests.” I took a deep breath, trying to project confidence.Don’t crumble now.

“And what do you suggest?” Mama finally said after several moments of silence.

I wanted to tell Mama everything, about Jenese’s blackmail, about the impossible situation I was in. But she would never understand. She would never forgive me.

“We could announce a new initiative, or highlight some of our past work. Something that shows we’re proactive and committed to positive change.”

Her eyes narrowed, calculating. “Go on.”

She’s counting on you. That sick, familiar panic crept up my spine.

“That’s not the only thing you’re gonna do to fix this.”

“Yvonne!” Daddy looked pissed as he pushed himself from his seat. “Let’s not tell her like this.”

“Tell me what?”

“You will be getting married.”