Page 15 of Twisted Truth

“It’s the truth! I guess it pays to work for one of the richest men on the planet. He didn’t even question Matthew when he told him we were going shopping on his dime.”

“It sounds like Matthew is into you.”

I snort. “Um, no. Matthew has a boyfriend. But we’re now work besties according to him.”

“You have the craziest job.”

“I don’t disagree.”

“I have to go, my break is almost over. But I want more updates tomorrow! I want chronicled details of your work exploits, especially if they involve the hot piece of ass, Asher Langford.”

“You got it. Be safe on your way home tonight, love you.”

“Love you!”

I feel much better after we hang up. Trust Zahra to get me out of a funk.

Unable to put it off any longer, I get to searching everything and anything I can on Lillian Luceria and Caroline Augustine. I look at headline after headline and photo after photo, feeling like a weird stalker as I do—I definitely want to delete my browser history once this phase of the project is over. I’m just about to call it a night when an old headline grabs my attention. I’m searching up past relationships on Caroline Augustine, the bank tycoon heiress, when I find a story from ten years ago buried six pages deep on her search results.

“Augustine Heiress Sex Scandal.”

Whoa.

I click on the link, but it takes me to an error page. I copy and paste the headline into another tab and search it again. Most of the links that come up are nothing—benign articles about the Augustine family, Caroline specifically, or other non-Augustine related sex scandals.

I search and search, and finally find another web address link with a similar headline, but when I click on it, it takes me to another blank page with an error message. No matter how hard I try, I can’t find anything on it. But clearly, something happened ten years ago. Was there an actual sex scandal? It’s possible. And it’s also possible that the reporting on it was hushed before it got out too far. If anyone has the resources to kill a story, it’s the Augustines. Hmm.

I take screenshots of the headlines and text them to Matthew and Emily. If this is even a possibility, it’s a big problem. I’m fairly certain the board would have issues with a past sex scandal since Mr. Langford’s own sex scandal is what landed him in this mess.

Matthew texts back almost immediately.

Why don’t any of the pages have the story???? I need this story!

I’m thinking it’s because she’s an Augustine. The Augustines could have killed the story and paid someone to scrub the internet.

And now I’m left unsatisfied. Damn those rich assholes who have no regard for the public

The nerve.

How are the clothes?

Too perfect. I feel like a spoiled princess. Thank you again, btw.

You are welcome. I have a feeling the two of us are going to have so much fun on this project!

Me too.

We text backand forth the rest of the night, and I keep finding myself smiling. So many of my friends have moved around that I don’t have many people I’m close to anymore. It’s nice to have a new work bestie. And Matthew’s right, if I am going to be part of the craziest work project I’ve ever heard of, with a very mercurial Mr. Langford, at least I have him to get through it with. Matthew will make the next however many months bearable, and for that, I am thankful.

5

ASHER

“We’ve been through this a dozen times, Conrad, we’re not selling Greenspan,” I say, gripping my phone. I sit on my couch, looking over the New York skyline glittering under the night sky.

My uncle makes an impatient noise on his end of the line. “Your father may have appointed you CEO so that he can retire early, but that doesn’t mean you can make all decisions for the company unilaterally. I’m going to push this to a vote with the board.”

“You can try. But as already discussed this morning, I hold the majority of shares. I hold the majority vote.”