Page 51 of Veil of Lies

Avery’s expression softened a little. “Who needs exes like that, eh?”

“You should leave,” I gritted out. “I have nothing to say.”

“But Stella, this is your chance to set the record straight! I’m running a story anyway, but I’d like your side of things. It’s a great opportunity to tell people how all this has affected you.”

Anger flared, burning bright for a moment. Was this chick a complete fucking moron? “Do you honestly think people give a shit about how it’s affected me? You must be more deluded than I thought.”

Avery’s face lit up. “So you admit you are Estella Cancello?”

Shit. I’d slipped up. I bet she was recording the conversation too. I was officially fucked now.

“Get the fuck out of my room, Avery,” I snarled. She took a step back. Whatever she saw in my face, it scared her a little. No more meek and shy Stella. My inner rottweiler had just come out to play and she was fucking fuming.

“Now!” I yelled when she didn’t move.

“OK!” she squeaked. “I’m publishing tomorrow, so if you have any comments to add, just—”

The door slammed in her face, cutting off the rest of the sentence. If Avery thought I was giving her an exclusive, she had another thing coming. I wasn’t that stupid. Besides, nothing I said to her or anyone would make a difference. The whole world hated me and my father and that would never change. Dad would likely end up in prison for the rest of his life and I…I would be alone.

I dropped down on the bed and closed my eyes, thinking about my next step while trying not to lose my shit completely. The time for sticking my head in the sand was over. The cat was out of the bag and I either stuck it out here or moved on. Again.

It wasn’t a hard decision. I was tired. Tired of running away from my problems. Nowhere was safe now. If Avery recognized me from the photos published in the article, other people would too. It was only a matter of time before the world’s press descended on the college.

At least here I was afforded some protection. The campus was secure. Reporters couldn’t just walk in. Yeah, they might all camp outside the main gate, but that wouldn’t last forever. If I stayed out of the way, they would eventually move on.

All I had to do was hide here until the end of my degree.

It was time to listen to Michael’s voicemail.

“Estella, I expect you’ve seen the news. This is bad. Really bad. Now the press knows where you are, it paints a target on your back. Your dad is worried. I’ve spoken to him today and some new information has come to light. Please can you call me as soon as you get this message. It’s important.”

What was he talking about? New information? As far as I knew, Dad had told Michael everything. He’d defrauded people, talked them into investing in a worthless fund. There was nobody else involved.

I’d always found it hard to believe my father could have done such an awful, calculating thing. He wasn’t a bad person. He liked money, sure, but he wasn’t immoral. It had never sat right with me. Knowing that he used his charm to ruin people’s lives. And make no mistake, a lot of people had been ruined. Michael hadn’t given me any details, but I knew at least some of Dad’s investors had committed suicide after losing all their money.

It made me sick, honestly, and I didn’t blame people for hating him, or me by association. I’d have hated us too if someone I loved decided to end their life because of Dad.

So what new information had come to light? I hit call on Michael’s number, but it went straight to voicemail. Shit. It was late though. He was probably tucked up in bed with his wife. I guess I’d have to wait until tomorrow, when he or Dad called me.

Until then, I wasn’t leaving this room. Thank God I had some snacks stashed away.

I stripped off and climbed into bed. Seeing as how I was currently splashed all over the internet, I may as well read what that asshole Brody had said about me. If I ever met him again, he’d feel my boot in his nuts. I swear to God.

Chapter 43

Brax

Harley barreled through my bedroom door, his face white as a sheet. I was half-asleep, surprisingly sober for once, despite the emotional phone call with Mom last night. The sight of him looking so freaked out didn’t exactly fill me with warm and fuzzy vibes.

“This better be good,” I growled. I wasn’t in the mood for his shit. A quick glance at my watch told me it was just after 9 AM, which was too early.

“It’s all over campus this morning,” he said, which told me exactly nothing.

Quinn appeared in the doorway behind Harley. His face was also grim. Jesus, had someone died?

“You’re talking in riddles, just fucking tell me,” I snapped, all out of patience. God, I needed a coffee. Maybe that would reboot my sluggish brain.

“We know who Cancello’s daughter is. Avery published a big reveal this morning.”

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