Belinda actually breathed a sigh of relief.


    She''d been dreading the possibility that Isadora''s baby was Preston''s. That would''ve made Isadora the viin, the homewrecker everyone loved to hate. No matter how clever her excuses, there''d be no way to talk her way out of that one.


    "Since it''s not Preston''s, that makes things easier. The best way to handle this crisis is to call a press conference, announce the engagement publicly, and have the child''s father make a statement."


    Belinda nced at Isadora. "President Vaughan, will your boyfriend go along with it?"


    Isadora fell silent, thinking it over for a long moment.


    "Go ahead and make arrangements for the press conference," she said atst. "I''ll take care of the rest."


    As soon as Belinda left the office, Isadora stood up and sank wearily onto the


    sofa. She clutched her phone, debating whether or not to call Victor.


    She was just about to dial when her phone rang first-Terrell was calling.


    Isadora answered. "Mr. Fawcett."


    Terrell''s gentle voice came through the line. "Isadora, I saw the rumors online. Is there anything I can do to help?"


    She blinked, forcing herself to sound steady. "I can handle it."


    Terrell persisted, "I was at the hotel that night too. I can testify about that photo."


    Isadora stayed quiet. Terrell really would make a strong witness. But ever since she''d realized how he felt about her, she was reluctant to get him more involved.


    He continued, "Don''t shut me out, Isadora. Let me help, even just a little. Besides, aren''t we friends?"


    She hesitated, then nodded to herself. "Alright, Mr. Fawcett. Could you check if the hotel''s security cameras still have footage from that night? I know there''s a good chance it''s already been wiped, but..."


    "Of course. Leave it to me."


    Just as Isadora was about to hang up, Terrell''s voice stopped her. "Isadora?" "Yes?"


    His words were soft, reassuring. "I know this is a huge blow for The Vaughan Group. No matter what happens, if you need anything, just ask. I''ll be there."


    After the call ended, Isadora dialed Victor''s number.


    The automated message was cold and


    haersonal: "The number you


    have dialed is currently unavable. Please try againter."


    Isadora''s grip tightened on her phone.


    Then she remembered she had Victor''s assistant Kemp''s number as well. She found it and dialed.


    Busy signal. No answer.


    All the tension she''d held in all day started to unravel.


    Just then, someone knocked, and the office door swung open. Eleanor hurried in,


    her face tight with worry.


    "Isadora, what''s going on online?"


    she demanded. "Who is this


    and


    How did you end up in th


    set


    photo with him?"


    Isadora stood up. "Mom, it''s just a misunderstanding."


    Eleanor''s voice trembled. "This scandal is all over the city! Your reputation is in


    shreds-what are we going to do?"


    "Don''t worry, Mom. I''ll handle it."


    "And Victor? Shouldn''t he be the one making a statement right now?"


    "He''s... away on business."


    "Business? At a time like this?"


    "Really, Mom, go home and try not to worry. I''ll take care of it."


    After finally coaxing Eleanor to leave, Isadora turned back to her work.


    Even though The Vaughan Group''s PR team did their best to rify things, the rumors online were only


    getting worse. It felt like the em


    was deliberately fanning the mes-before long, it was the top trending story everywhere.


    The wholepany was caught in the middle of a crisis.


    After finishing up her work for the day, Isadora tried calling Victor again.


    Still no answer.