"Before we proceed," Liam said, his voice measured, "I want to be clear that Ms. Bennet-Cross's professional standing is the priority here. If this arrangement would damage her journalistic credibility, we need a different approach."
The statement caught Libby by surprise. She'd assumed his primary concern would be team disruption or his own privacy, especially given his notorious wariness of journalists.
"I've spoken with my editor," she said, finding her voice. "With proper disclosure and maintained editorial independence, the Herald is... surprisingly comfortable with the situation."
"More than comfortable," added the organization's communications director, consulting his phone. "Reid called this morning. Their online traffic is up 40% since last night. The combination of the charitable donation story and the romance angle is gold."
"Glad my ethical crisis is good for business," Libby muttered.
"If we're proceeding," Liam said, ignoring the comment, "we need clear parameters. Timeline, expectations, public appearances, media engagement. Everything documented and agreed upon."
Mariska nodded approvingly. "Exactly what we've prepared." She distributed tablets with what appeared to be actual contracts. "Our suggested arrangement in detail. Please review while we give you some privacy to discuss."
As the PR team filed out, an uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Jane squeezed Libby's hand before following Chase out, leaving her alone with Liam.
For a moment, neither spoke, both pretending to study the documents before them. Libby finally broke first.
"This is officially the strangest day of my life," she said. "And that's including the time I accidentally bet a hundred thousand dollars I don't have."
A hint of amusement flickered across Liam's face. "It's certainly been... memorable."
"I'm never drinking champagne again," Libby replied.
"I want to apologize," Liam said, shifting the conversation. "This situation puts your professional reputation at risk. That was never my intention."
"Unless you secretly control charity casino odds and dress straps, I don't think either of us planned this," Libby said. She hesitated, then added, "Though I'm surprised you're willing to participate in this... charade. It doesn't seem aligned with your usual approach to media management."
"You didn't ask to be dragged into Kate's schemes," Liam replied. "This arrangement at least gives us some control over the narrative instead of letting her orchestrate the chaos."
"Very logical," Libby observed.
Something shifted in his expression. "Is there another way to approach problems?"
"Sometimes people just react emotionally without calculating all possible outcomes," she said. "It's a whole alternative decision-making system. Chaotic but authentic."
"Sounds inefficient."
"Oh, incredibly," Libby agreed, finding herself almost smiling. "But occasionally it leads to surprising results."
Liam studied her for a moment. "Like accidentally gambling away an entire years' salary?"
Libby snorted. “Try three years. That was pure anxiety manifesting as false confidence," she admitted quietly. "Everyone there belonged—the diamonds, the designer gowns, people throwing around money like it was nothing. And I was wearing my sister's dress, pretending I understood the rules, trying not to look like the small-town reporter who had no business being there." She paused, surprised by her own honesty. "The champagne just made it easier to pretend I belonged."
Liam was quiet for a moment. "You think belonging with that crowd is something to aspire to?" His voice was unexpectedly gentle. "Most of them were there to be seen, not to help. You were there doing your job, asking real questions, caring about the actual cause. You don't need to pretend to be like them."
Before she could analyze it further, Mariska returned with the full PR team.
"Have you had a chance to review the agreement?" she asked.
"Yes," Liam said smoothly. "We have a few adjustments."
"We do?" Libby asked.
"No one reviews her coverage before publication," Liam continued as if she hadn't spoken. "No previews, no suggested edits, no attempts to influence her analysis."
Mariska frowned. "That's not standard protocol for?—"
"It's non-negotiable," Liam interrupted. "Her professional integrity is paramount to this arrangement."
