Page 51 of Catalyst

My eyes scanthe article for the umpteenth time. I can’t believe they actually published this. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever read, yet the smallest threads of truth have been woven into the story to make it sound factual.

Adam Ellis: Gentleman or Bad Boy?

It seems Adam Ellis, Westlake’s most eligible bachelor, isn’t the upstanding gentleman he’s been showing the world.

As the CEO of Sidelines Sporting Goods, Ellis is no stranger to the limelight. He’s been known to make a splash in the headlines for his charity work with his foundation Fit for All, as well as with the success of his company.

The information we’ve been lacking is what Ellis gets up to in his personal time. Now, we know why.

It seems Adam prefers to spend his time (not to mention his money) with a certain “lady of the night”. Our sources indicate that Ellis has, on numerous occasions, paid for the company of prostitutes. But we should clarify, they’re the expensive ones we mere mortals would never be able to afford.

“I’m not surprised this has come out. Adam always preferred to keep his emotions to himself. It’s one of the many reasons I finally broke up with him for good,” Giselle Hunter, Adam’s longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend said when we asked her what she thought about these accusations.

An anonymous source providedCelebrity Weeklywith images proving Adam’s preferred tastes, and let’s just say, the evidence is damning.

Not only does Adam have blurred morals when it comes to the company he keeps, but it seems his business dealings have also begun to toe the line of disreputable.

A source who works closely with the top brass of Sidelines told us Adam threatened to fire their head of marketing after a minor disagreement on ad copy. Sounds like a toxic work environment to us!

Celebrity Weeklyis still gathering more information on this ongoing story, so stay tuned for our next update.

My stomach is in knots as I close the article. Apparently, one of the women Adam took out on a couple of dates is now a high-priced call girl. It doesn’t seem to matter that she wasn’t one when they dated. She is one now, and they can stretch the truth to fit their needs.

They have a photo of them together outside of a restaurant and another photo of the woman with whom they’re making look like a client. To add to the absurdity of this whole thing, they also have a picture of me and Adam when we were in New Orleans. You can’t see my face, but the dress I was wearing had ridden up until it was an indecent distance from my ass. Anyone looking at the picture would think I was a hooker. Pair it with the article, and you now have a shitstorm.

Adam has been a bear all day, growling at anyone who moves in his direction, hiding in his office, and refusing to let us help him figure this out. I don’t blame him. This mess would ruin anyone’s day. Add in Adam’s control issues, and it’s a dumpster fire of epic proportions.

“Has he let anyone into his office yet?” Matthew’s quiet voice makes me turn from my computer.

I shake my head. “I don’t even know what he’s doing in there. It’s not like they’ll take the story down. It’s gaining too much traction. Plus, there’s enough truth to the article that a defamation suit will take months. If not longer.”

“He’s threatened our lawyers within an inch of their lives to get this figured out. I had to do damage control to ensure they actually stayed on our side.”

“He’s only going to make it worse if keeps on his warpath, isn’t he?”

“Yep.”

I sigh. There’s got to be something I can do to get him out of this office and away from the stress. He’s going to send himself to an early grave if he doesn’t let this go sooner rather than later.

“What are the chances we could coax him out of the office today? We both know he isn’t actually doing anything in there but slamming his keyboard and aggressively clicking on things.” I cringe when the sound of a key being slammed over and over can be heard through the closed door.

Matthew grimaces. “I think it would take a crowbar to get him out of there. And a suit of armor to avoid any physical damage.”

I laugh at Matthew’s cheekiness. “Dramatic, but I don’t think you’re completely wrong.” I chew on my lip as an idea begins to form in my head.

“I can see you scheming. What’s your plan?”

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do…”

* * *

I take a deep breath for courage and open the door to Adam’s office.

“Get out. I can’t afford a distraction right now.”

“No.”

Adam’s head whips up at my tone. If I didn’t love this grumbly bear as much as I do, the disgusted look on his face would have me turning back for the safety of my office.

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