“Maybe I should get it over with. I’m already awake!” Alicia threw her hands out to her sides. “Somebody stormed into my room like a ray of sunshine this morning.”

Stacy’s shoulders sagged. “Sorry.”

Alicia looked to Lillian. “Is Nenia here?” There would be dozens of reporters waiting outside, if not more, and Alicia would need her stylist’s help if she wanted to look like a boss instead of a dumpster fire.

“She’s waiting in the common room,” Lillian said.

Alicia stalked toward the bathroom. “Can you send her in?”

It seemed yesterday’s problems were going to carry over into today.

* * *

The afternoon wentthe same as the morning. New shocking reveals hit Alicia in waves.

Ashton had let his manager talk on and on about all the reasons their “relationship” was over. Yes, the man had used air quotes on the video conference every time he used the word relationship. As if he hadn’t dated her for four years and asked her to marry him three months ago.

There were actual forms to sign. NDAs and contracts detailing their respective duties to ensure the “relationship” was dissolved.

It was all ridiculous. Ashton’s team liked to dramatize everything, angling whichever way their star would fall in the most favorable light.

He was willing to cut all ties with her over her parents’ theft. Ashton Warner couldn’t afford to be caught up in such a scandal. He’d given no less than five interviews today, going on and on about how he’d been blindsided and betrayed by her family.

He didn’t realize they were capable of such a thing.

He hadn’t known Alicia was involved with that kind of corruption.

He’d admittedly gotten tangled up in the nasty web the Carvers were weaving, and he’d been left with no choice but to let his relationship with her go.

For a man who had the emotional depth of a teaspoon, he sure knew how to lay it on thick.

There was one notable instance of the day: Ashton lost his cool on a reporter, leaving her crying and shaking for all the world to see. Alicia felt terrible for the poor woman, but at least everyone would see how awful Ashton was being about the whole breakup.

“Alicia?”

Lillian’s soft question prompted Alicia to raise her head from where she cradled it. They’d been in this conference room for three hours, and her eyelids were begging her to let them fall into a peaceful slumber.

“Yes?”

“Are you okay with that?”

Sitting up straight, Alicia cleared her throat. “I’m so sorry. Can you repeat what you said?”

Lillian didn’t seem hurt by the lack of attention. She was a wonderful manager and an even better friend, and the woman knew when Alicia was hitting her limit.

The limit zoomed by at a reckless speed over twenty-four hours ago.

“I think the first thing we should focus on is hiring a new security detail for you. Like I said, the media set up shop outside last night, and they haven’t left.”

Alicia slowly nodded. Dag and Raul had been wonderful to her. They’d done their job well, and she had absolutely no complaints.

Until they sold themselves to the highest bidder.

“You’re right. That’s a good idea,” Alicia said, pinching the bridge of her nose and hoping the headache behind her eyes subsided.

Lillian tapped on the phone in her hands. “I have good recommendations for Field Inc. They’re based in Cleveland, but they offer temporary as well as full-time services.”

“Okay.” She really didn’t have anything else to add. The emotional onslaught had wiped her out, and she had to trust that Lillian was capable of making these decisions when Alicia wasn’t.