"I''ll figure this out, okay? Don''t stress. Just wait for my update."


    As soon as she hung up with Millie, Reese called n without even thinking.


    The mess between her and Zach was already spilling over to ckOak, and she couldn''t let thepany take any more hits. She needed n''s help toe up with a n.


    He picked up right away. Behind his voice, she could hear frantic typing and people talking over each other-the soundtrack of apany in meltdown.


    "Reese, I''ve seen everything online," n said, sounding worn out. "The higher- ups had just cleared you. This morning, they informed us you coulde back to work. There wasn''t enough evidence for the leak."


    He paused, his voice heavy. "But then the news blew up. The board changed their mind immediately. There''s too much heat right now. I''m sorry, but you can''te back to ckOak-not yet."


    Reese''s heart dropped. She gripped the phone so tightly her knuckles ached.


    n hesitated, his tone torn. “This morning, Mr. Ratcliff came in with Leslie. They already signed the partnership with Big X.


    "Maybe you can reach out to him. If he would step up and clear your name, it could change everything."


    "I''ll have ckOak''s official ount post a statement exining the investigation results. If we both move fast, I think we can get this under control."


    After the call, Reese stared at Sebastian''s name on her screen, hesitating. Finally, she hit call.


    The phone rang and rang. No answer. Just the cold, empty beep as the call ended.


    She tried again. And again. Each time, nothing. With no other choice, she dialed Brady.


    "Yes, ma''am," Brady answered, all polite professionalism.


    "I need to speak to Sebastian," Reese said, fighting to keep her voice steady.


    But Brady must have heard the shake in her words. "Mr. Ratcliff is in a meeting with the executive team. He can''t take calls right now. I''ll make sure he gets back to you as soon as possible, ma''am."


    "Thank you," Reese said, voice dry and tight.


    She hung up and copsed onto the couch, staring out the window as the sky turned a dull, stormy gray. She waited. And waited.


    All morning, she kept refreshing Twitter. The trending topics shot up like wildfire: #ReeseMeyerAndTheRamosFamily and #ReeseClimbing TheSocial Ladder both broke into the top ten.


    People online had dug up every detail about her history with the Ramos family. Even old photos of Rosie at some fancy g were making the rounds. Now the Ramos family was getting dragged into the mess, too.


    By two in the afternoon, Sebastian still hadn''t called. The hate online only got louder.


    Then, out of nowhere, a new hashtag exploded: #ZachIronFinancialStatement.


    Hands trembling, Reese tapped it open.


    Zach''s official ount had posted a statement. Every sentence hurt.


    "Ms. Meyer did grow up with the


    Ramos family, but her actions have nothing to do with them. Our previous report about her alleged leak was only to protect industry standards. There was nothing personal. As far as we know, Ms, Meyer has already cut ties with the Ramos family. Her personal conduct shouldn''t affect anyone else."


    It was like throwing gasoline on a fire.


    "So Mr. Wiles is Reese''s brother-inw? If even he reported her, she must be guilty!"


    "Cut ties? Maybe the Ramos family just wants to get rid of her!"


    "Someone find out where Reese lives! People like her need to apologize in public!"


    Reese''s breathing turned ragged.


    She shot to her feet, about to close the curtains, when there was a sudden, violent banging at her door. Voices yelled from the hallway


    "Ms. Meyer! Open up for an interview!"


    "Why''d you leak the information? Come out and exin yourself!"


    She peeked through the peephole. A crowd was pressed around her door— reporters, influencers livestreaming, all of them shouting usations and wild theories.


    Fear wrapped around her chest, squeezing tight. She felt like a kid again, back in the days after her mom died, lost andpletely alone.


    She stumbled to her bedroom, yanked open a drawer, and grabbed her antidepressants. She swallowed two with cold water, hands shaking.


    She wanted to call the police, but her phone slipped from her fingers and hit the floor, the screen cracking in a jagged line.


    She crouched down, head in her hands, tears streaming. Why? Why did everyone have to push her like this?


    She curled up on the edge of her bed, listening to the pounding and shouting getting worse outside her


    door Everything


    blurred together.


    She felt herself slipping away.


    She didn''t know how long she''d been there when suddenly, voices erupted in the hallway. Then she heard someone she recognized, loud and clear.


    "Move aside! This is private property. You''re trespassing. If you don''t leave now, I''m calling the cops!"