Chapter 316 The Price of Heat


    <b>Leslie’s </b>POV


    My eyes snapped open, thest threads of sleep burned away. A weight settled low in


    I drew a slow breath, forcing myself to think clearly.


    +8 Pearls


    my


    chest.


    Carl. His very name was a spark for scandal.


    That face, so like Kirby’s, was enough to drag my past back into the light, to be dissected again, turned into cheap entertainment for the masses.


    Substitute? New fling? Anybel would do. The media andizens would gorge themselves on <ol><li>it. </li></ol>


    A bitterugh slipped out. My suspicions were already forming.


    Asphodel snarled inside me, voice sharp as ws. “He did this on purpose, Leslie! He’s leeching off your name!”


    I ignored her, answering Astrid evenly, “I suspect Carl staged this himself.”


    Astrid’s voice trembled with regret. “What do we do? If I’d known, I’d never have brought him back!”


    “Forget it. You meant well.” I rubbed my temples, offering her calm. “I’ll talk to Michael and get things under control. Keep everyone else fromst night in line. And push the idea of an actual talent program. Even if it fizzles out, it needs to leave a trace.”


    “Got it! I’ll handle it right away.” Astrid rushed off, her call ending with a click.


    I opened my phone. The trending feed made my


    frown deepen.


    Thements were a battlefield:


    “He looks just like Kirby. Did Leslie find a stand–in? Pathetic.”


    “Kirby begged her before, and she still picked a substitute. Who’s really <i>the </i><i>problem </i><i>here</i>?”


    <i>“</i><i>She’s </i><i>the </i><i>Rogue </i><i>Pack </i><i>princess</i>. <i>Anyone </i><i>she </i>wants is <i>hers </i>with a <i>word</i>. The <i>rest </i><i>of </i><i>you </i>better <i>work </i><i>harder</i><i>.</i><i>” </i>


    *“Leslie’s love life is a mess. Typical Rogue Pack arrogance. Poor Kirby…”


    “<i>Always </i><i>supporting </i><i>Leslie</i><i>! </i><i>If </i><i>you </i><i>can </i><i>find </i><i>a </i><i>look</i>–<i>alike</i>, go <i>ahead</i><i>!</i><i>” </i>


    11:03 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b>Sep <b>20 </b>


    Chapter 316 The Price of Heat


    *“Team Lorde!” *“Team Kirby!” <i>“</i><i>Team </i><i>Carris</i><i>!</i><i>” </i>


    I closed the screen, expression t.


    Asphodel hissed, disgust sharp in her tone. “Noisy ants!”


    I let her grumble, dialing Michael. He had to be drowning in the same storm.


    <i>75 </i>


    +8 Pearls


    The line clicked alive, his voice weary but alert. “Leslie, we’ve already started scrubbing. But listen–you need to be careful. Too much erasure looks like privilege, and people hate that. Normally it would blow over, but Kirby’s friends stirred the pot with that photo denial. Now it’s uglier. Did you two really fall out?”


    I stayed silent for a beat, then cut him off, my voice like frost. “Don’t scrub it. Sign Carl. If he wanted to ride my fame, fine. He doesn’t get to profit unless it’s through us.”


    Michael gave a knowing hum, almost pleased. “I thought you’d say that. I’ll reach out to his agent immediately.”


    “No leniency.” A cold smile touched my lips, my Alpha pheromones ring,ced with Asphodel’s fury. “Put him through the wringer. Runways, drama, training camps–everything. Since he wants heat, let’s give him more than he can handle.”


    Michael chuckled, his tone sharpened with excitement. “Say no more. We’ll squeeze him dry.”


    I hung up, leaning back against the headboard, eyes closing briefly.


    Asphodel growled low, bitter. “Again, an Omega. How many times will you let them scheme against you?”


    I curved my lips faintly, though my chest was ice.


    Carl, you want to ride my wave?


    Fine. Let’s <i>see </i>how long youst.


    Fame burns hot and fast.


    And when the fire dies, you’ll remember–Rogue Pack’s princess is not to be trifled with.


    Send <b>Gifts </b>


    188


    212


    Burn in