Page 137 of Ruthless Lullaby

Wait. Does this mean that Alexis is actually here, downstairs at the Global Media event? In the Golden Room, interviewing Maron?

Of course, she’s here, Mindy.

It’s her job, remember?

Where else would she be?

She is a StarDust journalist, goddamnit!

How did I not think of this before when it's so ridiculously obvious? What was the question she asked Maron? Is she here to screw things up again?

I quickly scan the room and notice a large television mounted on the wall. My mind races with wild thoughts. If someone turns that damn thing on... Maron and all of the efforts he put into Tramoxine will be screwed. I must do something…

Hoping to remain unnoticed, I rise and make my way to the massive TV screen. I scan the small shelf behind it and spot the remote control. Bingo. With trembling fingers, I slip the remote into my handbag, determined to prevent anyone from turning on the TV and catching the latest news reports.

Well done, Mindy.

You just saved the day.

Still, my nerves are a live wire, sparking and sizzling with anxiety and confusion. What the hell is happening? Why is Alexis doing this? Is this some twisted form of sibling revenge? I desperately try to make sense of the situation, but my mind is a chaotic storm, swirling as fast as my heart is racing.

But then again, what if this has nothing to do with me? It could simply be a stupid coincidence. Maybe StarDust assigned Alexis to cover the event, and she’s just doing her job by creating a story to generate buzz. That's how journalism works these days, right?

Suddenly, another thought interrupts my mind like a record scratch: no. It cannot be a coincidence. If it were, Alexis wouldn’t know about Tramoxine. This whole evening is disguised as a Global Media movie premiere. Which begs the question: how the hell did she find out about Tramoxine? This was supposed to be classified information, and now it's exposed for everyone to know.

Shit.

No wonder Maron's expression shifted from professionally composed to dark and stormy in a blink of an eye.

My mind is reeling, trying to figure out what’s happening out there and what Alexis is up to. Should I go to the Golden Room and warn Maron? What could I possibly warn him about that he doesn’t already know? I don’t even know what’s going on!

I take a deep breath, trying my best to remain calm. Whatever Alexis is up to, whatever storm is brewing, I know one thing for certain - Maron and I will face it together.

Right now, all I can do is wait and try to keep my composure.

And hopefully, avoid bumping into Maurice.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Mindy

As I sit here, struggling to collect my racing thoughts, I suddenly feel a presence. I look up to see Maurice looming over me, holding a drink in his hand.

Great.

So much for avoiding him, Mindy.

"Mindy," he slurs, reaching for my hand. Without thinking, I pull away.

"Hey, Maurice, how are you?" I ask with forced politeness.

"Good, good,” he mumbles. “I just had to come and see you," he adds with a sly grin.

My stomach churns. This can't be good. What's even more unsettling is that he's clearly been drinking, despite this being an alcohol-free event. I don’t even know where he got the booze from. The entire hotel has a strict no-alcohol policy tonight and Maron made it clear to everyone that mixing Tramoxine with alcohol could be lethal.

I give him a stern look. "Maurice, you do realize this is supposed to be a sober gathering, right?"

He rolls his eyes. "Oh, come on, Mindy. I'm the one who organized this event after all."

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