CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE

Brandon's POV

"Thanks, all, for your time," I said, nodding to close the meeting, trying to focus on the investors seated around the table. It had gone well-or so it seemed-but my mind was elsewhere. A cloud had hovered over my head for weeks now, and I just couldn't seem to let it go.

Until finally, the room emptied, and that little voice in my belly started telling me I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. It's one of those feelings that I just couldn't shake-and boy, was I right: the minute my secretary Olivia burst in looking like she'd just seen a ghost, I knew my world was going to come crashing down.

"Sir… You need to see this," Olivia stammered, extending the tablet toward me. Her hand was shaking.

What is it?" I asked her, frowning as I took the device from her.

"Arlys… she… she gave an interview," she managed to say, her voice cracking. "It's everywhere. It's viral."

It was as if blood oozed out in one go. The instant it glued on the screen when I scrolled