“While our company has a friendly rivalry with her channel, we ask that our fans give her the same respect and consideration they give us, while this matter is investigated and after.” Elliot met my gaze, and his eyes were soft, rather than the emotionless voids I expected.
There was a silent pause before Dustin said, “off the record, between you and me… Is this real?”
“Impossible to say at this time.” Elliot gave away nothing.
Dustin clucked. “You’re lucky I’m good at what I do.”
“You’re the best. And it’s not luck, it’s planning.” Elliot managed sincerity while still remaining an iceberg.
Silence filled the room as the line went dead.
I needed to brace myself for the worst, but this was one less thing I had to worry about.
“We have to get into the office. Make sure whoever got into Fallyn’s account isn’t in anyone else’s,” Link said. “Fallyn, what else do you need from us?”
“I don’t know yet.” I was scared to find out.
Elliot’s phone rang again, and he glanced at the scene. His blank mask shattered as a deep scowl rushed in. “It’s Judith.” Did his voice just crack?
Every muscle in my body tensed, though I wasn’t sure why.
“Hello.” Elliot’s tone when he answered was much warmer and more professional than with Dustin. “It’s impossible to tell at—” He clenched his jaw. “It’s exactly what it looks like. Exactly what the news online says.”
Who was this woman that she cracked him so quickly? I had to meet her.
“He and I are heading in now— No. I— You need me there. I’m not going—Fuck. Fine. I understand.” Elliot hung up.
I was going to be sick and I didn’t even know what he’d heard. I doubted any of the words had anything to do with me.
“Was that as bad as it sounded?” Link asked.
Elliot took a deep breath and straightened up, as if composing himself. “She wants you in the office now.”
“Just me?”
Elliot’s right eye twitched, and his chest rose and fell again. “She just suspended me, pending an emergency meeting with the board tomorrow.”
Yup. I was about to puke all over his expensive rugs.
“She can’t.” Link sounded both stunned and furious.
Elliot nodded. Slowly. Deliberately. “She can. She did.”
The entire world paused.
“Fuuuuuck.” Elliot’s shout echoed off the walls.
I jumped, surprised, and King whimpered.
I didn’t blame Puppy or Elliot.
23/
elliot
Fallyn went back to the guest wing to make her videos. It made sense that she would—she needed to be taking care of work in a place where I wasn’t—but it still sucked. And Link went into the office.
My Sunday passed in agony. I couldn’t do anything, and I’d never been good at doing nothing. Asking Link what was going on would risk his career as well if anyone found out. I was dying to know how things were going at work, but I kept my questions to myself.