9. Leslie The Final Piece
Leslie: The Final Piece
My heart races as I walk into Kyle’s office. I grip the folder tighter, fighting the smile that threatens to break free. I’ve finally found it—the key to clearing Theo’s name.
Kyle looks up from his laptop, his gaze locking on me, his expression softening. It takes everything in me not to melt right there. He’s impossibly handsome, even with those worry lines creasing his forehead.
I shove the thought aside and straighten my shoulders. “I found it,” I announce, unable to hide my excitement. “The perfect solution to clear Theo’s name.”
His eyes widen, a flicker of hope crossing his face. “You did?”
I nod, stepping closer, my pulse quickening as his scent envelops me. I can’t think about that now. Not when everything is on the line.
“I tracked down who hosted the yacht party,” I explain, dropping the folder on his desk. “His name is Louis Thorne. A billionaire real estate mogul with properties all over the world.”
Kyle’s eyebrows shoot up. “Thorne? The guy who owns half of Los Angeles?”
“That’s the one. And he’s got security footage from the yacht. Since Theo said he was there to perform, the footage could be his only savior.”
Relief floods Kyle’s face. “This could change everything.”
“It will,” I say, my voice firm. “But there’s a catch. Thorne’s notoriously private. Getting him to release that footage won’t be easy.”
Kyle leans back, his fingers steepled under his chin. “You’ve got a plan, don’t you?”
A thrill rushes through me. God, I love this part—the chase. “I called in a favor. His secretary agreed to squeeze me in for a meeting today.”
His eyes widen. “Today?”
I glance at my watch. “In less than two hours. If I can get him to release that footage, the narrative changes. Theo goes from scandal-ridden to innocent victim.”
Kyle’s gaze hardens, his protective side surfacing. “You’re not going alone.”
I cross my arms, planting my feet. “Yes, I am.”
His jaw tightens. “Leslie, Thorne’s a manipulator. If he senses weakness, he’ll use it against you.”
I lift my chin. “I can handle him.”
“I know you can. But I’m coming with you anyway.” His tone is resolute.
I straighten my shoulders, refusing to back down. “No, you’re not. If you go, it’ll look like Starz is trying to strong-arm him. It’ll make him defensive. This needs a delicate touch. A PR touch. My touch.”
His eyes flash with irritation. “I don’t like the idea of you dealing with him alone.”
“Fine, I’ll bring Mia. She’s got all the research anyway. She knows how to watch my back.”
“That’s not the same,” he insists, stepping closer, his presence overpowering. “You don’t know Thorne like I do.”
I meet his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. “And you don’t know PR like I do. Trust me on this. This is my job.”
He stares at me, his fists clenched on his desk. The tension is high, crackling between us like electricity.
Finally, his shoulders slump, his eyes softening. “I just don’t want anything happening to you.”
My heart stumbles, but I keep my voice steady. “I can take care of myself, and I don't want people thinking it's favors that got me here.”
His gaze lingers, and for a moment, I see something raw in his eyes. Something vulnerable. But then he blinks, and it’s gone.
He steps back, his face hardening. “Fine. But if anything goes sideways, you call me. Immediately.”
“I will,” I promise, my heart pounding. “But it won’t come to that. I’ve got this.”
He studies me for a moment longer, then nods, his jaw tight. “Be careful.”
I turn to leave, forcing myself not to look back. I can’t afford any distractions. Not today.
***
Mia is waiting by the car, her fingers tapping on her phone, her face buried in concentration. Her head snaps up when she sees me, her eyes wide. “Are we doing this?”
“Yes,” I say firmly, unlocking the car.
Mia slides into the passenger seat, fastening her seatbelt. As I start the engine, she hesitates before asking, “You know, people are talking.”
I keep my eyes on the road, my pulse quickening. “People always talk. It’s what they do.”
She glances at me, her curiosity evident. “Yeah, but . . . they’re saying things about you and Mr. Donovan.”
My grip tightens on the steering wheel. “Let me guess. They think I’m sleeping my way to the top?”
Mia’s eyes widen. “No! Well . . . I mean, not everyone. It’s just . . . they notice how he looks at you. And how you two always seem to be together lately.”
Heat creeps up my neck. “We work closely. That’s all.”
Mia bites her lip, hesitating. “You know, I’m not trying to pry. I just . . . I respect you, Leslie. And I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
My chest tightens. She’s loyal. And she’s right to be concerned. But I can’t afford to get emotional right now.
I force a laugh, trying to sound nonchalant. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s all business.”
Mia studies me, her eyes searching. “But do you . . . like him?”
I open my mouth to deny it, to brush it off with some clever retort, but the words won’t come. I can’t lie to her. Not when she’s looking at me with such genuine concern.
I exhale, my shoulders sagging. “I do. But it’s complicated.”
Her eyes soften. “Because he’s the boss?”
“Because he’s . . . everything I shouldn’t want.” I grip the steering wheel tighter, my voice dropping. “I can’t afford to fall for him, Mia. Not when my career’s on the line. Not when people are already whispering.”
She nods slowly, her expression thoughtful. “That sounds hard.”
I force a smile, my heart aching. “It is. But that’s life, right? Nothing worth having is ever easy.”
Mia reaches over, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze. “For what it’s worth, I think he likes you too. But you’re right. People are watching. You’ll have to be careful.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “I know.”
We fall into a contemplative silence as I navigate through LA traffic. I knew what I was getting into when I took this job. I knew the risks, the stakes.
But no one warned me how hard it would be to keep my heart out of it.
***
Thorne’s office is on the top floor of a sleek skyscraper in Downtown LA, the skyline stretching behind him.
The Pacific Ocean glows in the distance, a hazy blue beneath the California sun. The Hollywood Hills roll beyond it, dotted with mansions and hidden secrets.
But I barely notice. My eyes are fixed on Louis Thorne.
He’s tall, charismatic, with graying hair and sharp eyes that miss nothing. He stands when we enter, his handshake firm, his smile polished to perfection. But his eyes are cold and calculating.
“Ms. Hart,” he greets, his voice smooth as silk. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I return his smile, matching his confidence. “All good things, I hope.”
His gaze flicks to Mia, dismissing her almost immediately. “And you brought . . . your assistant.”
Mia’s jaw tightens, but she keeps her mouth shut. Good girl. I need her focused, not provoked.
I sit across from him, keeping my posture relaxed. “I wanted to talk to you about the yacht footage.”
His eyes darken, his smile fading. “I assumed as much.”
I launch into my pitch, laying out the facts, the narrative shift, the public relations opportunity. I paint a picture of redemption, of clearing Theo’s name and protecting Thorne’s reputation in the process.
Thorne listens, his face unreadable, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his desk. When I finish, he leans back, studying me.
“That’s quite the argument,” he says, his voice dripping with amusement. “But why should I get involved? What’s in it for me?”
I knew this was coming. Men like Thorne don’t move unless there’s something to gain. “Public perception,” I answer smoothly. “You release the footage, and you’re seen as a hero who stood up for the truth. Your brand image gets a boost. Positive press coverage. Increased goodwill.”
He raises an eyebrow. “And if I don’t?”
I smile, leaning forward. “Then the media keeps digging. They’ll speculate about your involvement, your motives. Eventually, they’ll turn their sights on you. You know how vicious the press can be.”
His eyes darken, his jaw tightening. Bingo. I’ve hit a nerve.
He leans back, a slow smile curling his lips. “You’re clever, Ms. Hart. I can see why Donovan hired you.”
I don’t let my face betray anything. “So, do we have a deal?”
He watches me, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll think about it.”
It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no. It’s the best I’m going to get today.
We stand, shaking hands, and he holds mine a second longer than necessary. “I look forward to seeing how this plays out.”
I force a polite smile. “Me too.”
As Mia and I leave his office, my heart races. I did my part. Now, it’s up to him.
***
I push open the door to my office, my heart still racing from the tense meeting with Thorne. Mia follows me in, her expression a mix of relief and disbelief.
“I can’t believe you pulled that off,” she says, dropping her bag on the chair. “I thought he’d eat us alive.”
I manage a smile, my mind still reeling from his calculating gaze. “I didn’t exactly get a yes.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t get a no either. And from a guy like Thorne, that’s a win.”
I’m about to respond when my phone buzzes on the desk. I snatch it up, my breath catching as I read the email notification. “No way.”
Mia frowns, leaning over to peek at the screen. “Is that . . .”
“Yes,” I breathe, barely able to believe it myself. “Thorne already sent the footage.”
Mia’s jaw drops. “That was fast.”
I sink into my chair, my fingers flying over the keyboard as I open the file. My heart pounds as the video begins, showing the yacht party in stunning clarity.
The camera pans across the deck, capturing every guest, every movement. Then, there he is—Theo, standing by the DJ booth, mic in hand, completely focused on his performance.
There’s no sign of scandal, no inappropriate behavior. Just a professional doing his job. Relief floods through me. “We’ve got him. This is the proof we needed.”
Mia grins, bouncing on her toes. “You’re a genius.”
I don’t have time to bask in the compliment. There’s still work to be done. “Get the team together. We need to release this strategically. And call Theo. He needs to be ready to speak on this.”
Mia nods, already dialing. I open my planner, my mind racing through the next steps. The narrative needs to change.
If we play this right, Theo goes from scandal-ridden celebrity to innocent victim caught in a media frenzy. But we can’t just release the footage and call it a day. We need to go on the offensive.
I grab my phone and dial Theo’s number. He picks up on the second ring, his voice tense. “Leslie?”
“I’ve got good news,” I say, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. “We have the footage. It clears your name.”
There’s a beat of stunned silence before he exhales shakily. “Oh, thank God.”
“But we need to be strategic,” I continue. “I’m arranging a series of exclusive interviews. We need to control the narrative, show the public the real you.”
“Anything,” he says. “Just tell me what to do.”
I hesitate, considering the next part carefully. “I think you should announce that you’re donating your paycheck from the party to the community charity event. It’ll reinforce that you were there for the right reasons.”
There’s another pause, then he lets out a low chuckle. “You really are good at this.”
I smile, relief washing over me. “Just trust me. We’ll get through this.”
“I do,” he says quietly. “I trust you.”
His words send a flutter through my chest, but I push it aside. This is work. Nothing more. “Great. I’ll send you the schedule. Be prepared—they’re going to ask tough questions.”
“I can handle it,” he says, his voice steadying. “Thanks, Leslie.”
“No problem. Just be ready.” I hang up, my heart pounding with anticipation. This is it. This is the moment that changes everything.
Mia bursts back into the room, her eyes wide. “You’re not going to believe this. Thorne just called. He wants to meet with Theo.”
I blink, trying to process the information. “Why?”
“He said he’s impressed with how Theo’s handled the scandal and wants to offer him a spokesperson deal for his new real estate venture.”
I sit back, stunned. “He went from withholding evidence to offering a deal? What’s his angle?”
Mia shrugs. “Probably wants to use Theo’s name to boost his brand. The footage will clear Theo, which makes him a hot commodity again.”
I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. “Typical Thorne. Always thinking ten steps ahead.”
“But this could be good for Theo,” Mia points out. “A comeback story and a new endorsement? It’ll completely change the narrative.”
I nod, my mind already racing with possibilities. “You’re right. This could be the final piece that puts Theo back on top.”
I’m about to call Theo back when there’s a knock on my door. I look up to see Ethan and Chloe standing in the doorway, their faces lit up with mischievous grins.
“Hey, Leslie,” Chloe chirps, her eyes sparkling. “We need a favor.”
I arch an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “Should I be worried?”
Ethan laughs, stepping forward. “I have this huge project due for school, and I could really use your help.”
I glance at Chloe, who’s trying and failing to look innocent. “Why do I get the feeling this is more than just a school project?”
Chloe grins, her eyes twinkling. “Come on, Leslie. It’ll be fun. Plus, Dad’s going to be working late tonight. You won’t be interrupting anything.”
My heart skips a beat.
I barely know these kids, but something about their excitement is hard to resist. Ethan watches me expectantly, while Chloe practically vibrates with anticipation.
I exhale, forcing a smile. “Alright. But if this is a trap, I’m blaming both of you.”
Chloe squeals, throwing her arms around me. “You won’t regret it!”
Ethan grins, his eyes shining. “Thanks, Leslie. You’re the best.”
As they leave, I sit back, my heart pounding. I should’ve said no. I should’ve kept my distance. But I couldn’t.
And I have a feeling this is going to complicate everything.