Page 99 of The Daredevil

Too late. The pain broke through, and tears streamed down my face even though I tried my best to stop it. Why were people so cruel?

“She’ll pay for this.” Royce flared his nostrils and swapped to another tab, trying to protect me.

Shock, anger, and despair coursed through me, numbing all other emotions.

“I want to see it. Please go back.” He did as I asked.

The damaging image and the malicious words etched in my brain like an invisible tattoo I’d never forget. The false words pounded like a hammer trying to smash my dignity, reputation, and career. Who the fuck did this? Fiona? Brittany?

The anger was easier to deal with because it carved an outlet for me to release my emotions. A surge of violence rose in me, and I hated feeling that way, but they left me no choice. These people pushed me into a corner and stepped on me, smearing my character. I’d worked damn hard to build my career—to become the Michelle Yates who was proud of her work. No one had permission to destroy it.

I let the anger move through me like a virus, infecting me with something malevolent. Something that wanted to hurt the person who did this to me. I allowed myself to feel the animosity, the violence, and the vengeance toward the person assassinating my character.

“That’s not me,” I choked, unable to speak properly.

“I know, angel. They’ll pay, I swear.” Royce cupped my face with both hands. “I’ll sort this out.” Reaching for a tissue from the nearby box, he dabbed my eyes tenderly.

His gentleness and promise decreased the anger in me. Looking into his green eyes, fury burned in them. I didn’t want him to do something reckless that would get him into trouble.

“I need a moment to let the shit settle. I’ll be okay.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but it was necessary to protect the man trying to protect me.

Setting the damp tissue aside, he pulled me into his arms. When my head rested on his strong shoulder, my internal barrier faltered. I thought I had my emotions under control, but I was wrong. Once I felt the comfort of his arms around me, the dam burst, and emotions poured out.

“It’s okay, baby. Just cry. Let it go.”

“My readers will see this and think it’s me. The entire world will see this, Royce. What am I going to do? How will I recover from this?” I sobbed into his shirt.

“You will bounce back from this harassment, I promise.” He stroked my hair.

I now understood the drawbacks of the internet. One slanderous act could ruin a person. Even if I got my website back up, the damage was already done. How many people had seen me asthatwoman?

A headache throbbed in my head from too much crying. My phone buzzed with messages from my friends and colleagues who probably saw the image or got email alerts about the down website. My body shivered thinking about it.

Breaking free from Royce’s arms, I said, “The girls are worried about me. I’ll need to reply and alert my clients about the website being compromised.”

“Go ahead. I’ll get this image removed immediately. Arrow knows some hackers.”

Royce made a call to someone while I went to the kitchen table. Sitting down, I sent my friends a text message, informing them I was aware of the spam email and the image on my website and for them not to worry about it.

I spent two hours sending emails to clients alerting them of the situation, and saying I’d inform them once things returned to normal. I had a promotion for NewYou Beauty at the moment. Feeling awful, I offered them a free promotional post when my website was back up and running. I had to maintain a professional relationship with my vendors if I wanted to continue doing business with them. NewYou Beauty had been kind to me, and I would treat them in the same manner.

My head throbbed and my stomach began to ache, all signs pointing to extreme stress levels. I swallowed two painkillers and sat at the kitchen table, watching Royce’s determined face as he spoke on the phone.

“I need this done immediately. Let me know what you find out.” After he ended the call, his fingers flew across the keyboard.

The crying and anxiety exhausted me, and I couldn’t think coherently anymore. I needed something to take my mind off of this horrific event. Who would have thought anyone would see me like that? Had my mom seen it? She would’ve called already.

In minutes, my career had crashed and my stress level shot through the roof. The situation was probably worse in my head, as most things were when you were in the thick of it.

The worst scenarios played in my head. My clients could sever ties with me after seeing that image on my website, which was inappropriate and unprofessional. Who would want to work with me after that? My sponsors would want to stay away from me. I’d lose the trust and respect of my followers as well.

Stop thinking about it. Rest your mind.

Sighing, I leaned back in the chair, swiped to the Eat Your Monsters app, and began playing. Just looking at my cute bunny made me feel better already. Nibbles, the name I’d chosen for him, had grown to be as big as the monster trying to take over my village. I’d also graduated to new levels, which offered new findings and motivations. I could eat whatever I wanted—an exceptional ability. With each food I discovered and devoured, I gained new powers and motivation stars and earned coins and gems in my bank to purchase adorable accessories. Even an avatar needed the right wardrobe to intimidate enemies.

In my mind, I imagined destroying my adversaries—Fiona, Brittany, and all of my fears trapped in my closet—with my berry bombs. My enemies died in a pile of mush, which grew into a beautiful tree studded with blooms.

I smiled as the victory screen flashed.

---