And finally, there are images of me and Arthur running out of the event, Arthur ahead of me. Arthur''s mask and sses have fallen off, disying his identity- and by extension, mine.
It makes me sick. I didn''t even notice anyone taking photos let alone while we were rescuing Miles. Instead of helping, some creep was photographing us?
"What is this?" I ask, my voice shaking as I look back up at the two men.
Mr. Brooks'' lips curl up ever so slightly at the corners. Gone is the man with the award-winning smile, reced by a snake in the grass.
"Miss Iris," he says, "we believe these images showcase your parenting skills- leaving your son behind with strangers so you could go out cavorting around town. Meanwhile, Alpha Arthur is repeatedly shown taking the pivotal role in saving your son. He was the first to exit the building, even letting his disguise slip in the process. He was the one who risked his life to pull your child out of the water while you stood by, holding his coat."
I can''t believe what I''m hearing. "But that''s only half of the story," I say, mming the folder shut and shoving it back across the table. "Arthur and I both searched for Miles. It was a team effort."
Mr. Lee simply shrugs. "Not-from the public point of view. There are already rumors going around in some spaces that you intentionally left your child with a mentally disturbed elderly woman and a flighty old man so you could go and make money off of your artwork."
"I had to earn enough money to afford your absurd fees," I scoff. “Besides, Cliff and Augustine are good people who just made a mistake. They''re not ''mentally disturbed'' or ''flighty''."
The two men don''t look convinced. I fold my arms. "Can I at least get a refund, since you''re not going to help me?" I ask.
At that, Mr. Brooksughs. Laughs.
"We gave you a consultation," he says. "That''s what you paid for."
Great. With a huff, I push my chair back and stand. It seems I have to start all
over again, further dying my exit from this damn city.
But just as I''m about to leave, Mr. Lee calls out to me. "Ahem. Iris?"
I turn, curling my lip. "What?"
He nods toward the folder. "If these photos get out, then you and the Alpha President could be in hot water. You wouldn''t want that, would you?"
It takes all of two seconds for me to get what he''s implying. "Are you trying to ckmail me?" I ask, nting my hands on my hips.
"We''re just saying that it''s...mon courtesy to make some kind of offer when ites to such sensitive material."
"One thousand Ordan dors would be a start," Mr. Brooks adds with a sly grin. "For one picture, that is."
For a moment, I just stare at the men, honestly wondering if this is some kind of sick joke. But it''s not. And suddenly I realize how they can afford their expensive designer suits.
But the thing is, even if I wanted to pay these jackasses off, I don''t have that kind of money. Not anymore. Not after I just paid their damn ''consultation'' f*e.
"Here''s a bribe for you," I say, feeling spiteful. I reach into my pocket, pretending to pull out my wallet, only to sh my middle finger at both of them. And with that, I turn and storm out of the office, leaving the two men behind.
On the way out, I notice a familiar car waiting for me at the curb. Ezra. I open the door and get inside without even hesitating. He doesn''t have to be a genius to tell what the thunderous look on my face means, and pulls away from the curb without a word.
After a few minutes, he clears his throat. "Didn''t go well, I take it."
I shrug and fold my arms. "Lawyers are assholes."
"Tell me about it." Ezra nces at me. "You know, I never told him about your trouble finding awyer. For what it''s worth."
"I figured," I say, smiling slightly despite myself. Last night, Arthur seemed too shocked when I told him the truth for me to believe that Ezra went against his word. "Thanks for that."
Ezra nods, and the car falls silent again. As we pull up to the apartmentplex, I nod toward the building. "Do you still want that portrait?"