Chapter 29
DIANA
“And DHUSA was like, ‘All you do is report on shitty things we’ve done,’ and I was like, ‘Stop doing shitty things, then!’”
I smile behind my mug as the reporters laugh and holler at Candace’s rant about the Dharton Hall University Students Association. Her rants are notorious for being scathing and unhinged. But it’s just the relief we all need today.
In the last hour, we’ve gone through the stories we’re publishing this week for the print issue and the newscast. Now, we’re picking through story pitches for next week.
Well…we’re attempting to, anyway. Candace’s pitches often run a little longer because of her ranting.
“I’m just saying, if you don’t want people thinking you’re a scammer, maybe stop looping first years into your pyramid schemes?”
My phone suddenly flashes on.
Insider sources say HMG heiress Diana Huang always envied Sasha Vellair’s success: ‘She wanted to take her down!’
I resist the urge to throw my phone before I delete the notification. These tabloid articles have been spewing lie after lie the last several weeks.
I’m a master manipulator who’s been scheming to destroy Sasha Vellair’s career since the very start.
Jealousy over Gregory’s flourishing career has driven me to the brink of insanity and sabotage.
But it doesn’t matter how comically insane these headlines are.
They’ve done their damage.
Less than half of the regular contributors have shown up to write for the Howler.
The remaining few are occasional contributors trying to fill the empty spaces in each section.
I’m grateful that they’re more intent on getting a byline in the Howler instead of trying to tarnish what little dignity my reputation has left.
Still, a blistering headache rages in my skull every time I see the rising number of tabloid articles and the dwindling number of reporters in the newsroom.
A part of me knows that Andrea is somewhat responsible.
Judging by how she dictated the fundraiser, I wouldn’t be shocked if she persuaded people to ditch the meeting today.
I had hoped to achieve so much and prove I deserved my place as the Howler’s new editor-in-chief.
Now, it’s crumbling apart in so little time.
I wince, rubbing at the crease between my brows.
Between this, losing the public’s respect and my place in the joint project, and being excluded from the HMG’s succession plans indefinitely, I’m struggling to find a way to clear my name and go back to fighting for the CEO position.
Panic sinks inside me, drowning Candace’s voice into a distant muffle.
What if I don’t figure it out? What if I spend my whole life enduring the consequences of a lie? What if I never achieve or amount to anything ever again because of it?
My phone flashes on, displaying the time.
We’re down to the last ten minutes of the news meeting.
Focus, Diana. Focus.
I set down my phone and take one last sip of my tea. It grounds my spiraling thoughts, settling them down enough to let me gather my wits.
Put out one fire at a time.
I clap my hand against the table, reining their focus back.
“Okay!” I shout. “Candace, thank you for your…impassioned monologues about DHUSA.”
The reporters snort, grinning through their stifled laughter.
I smile at them exasperatedly. “Are there any other pitches I haven’t covered?”
“Oh!” Sadie raises her hand. “I have something for a print story!”
I nod, making her freckled face perk up. “Go ahead, Sadie.”
Sadie eagerly taps through her iPad. My heart swells with pride. She’s been on the Howler for only two weeks and has already pitched major news stories that have been republished twice by other media outlets.
“Okay, so!” Sadie clears her throat and straightens up in her seat.
“There’s a new software that DHU is integrating into their systems. It’s called CatchCo.
Per someone’s request, the software can track down the IP address of anyone who took a screenshot of something online and sent it elsewhere.
It’s meant to tackle revenge porn, which has been a big problem on campus. ”
Hope sparks inside of me.
“That sounds interesting.” I try to lead surely and steadily despite the adrenaline pounding in my heart. “Why did you, um, why did you want to pursue the story?”
“Because I want other girls to know that this software exists, so they can look out for each other.”
There’s an unflinching strong will to Sadie’s words that has the other reporters nodding in respect.
“Is it only used for leaked photos?” Candace asks.
“That’s the main goal,” Sadie confirms. “But it can also trace the IP address of any screenshot. However, your request goes through an authenticator first. They'll run the software over the screenshots to make sure people aren’t just tapping into random IP addresses. That’s why you need to send a request to CatchCo’s office.
They’re renowned for their quick processing time. ”
I stifle a relieved scream.
I thought fighting my way out of the Sasha Vellair scandal would be impossible.
But CatchCo might just be what I need to clear my name and get my life back.
I leave the newsroom, high on the thought of clearing myself out of this horrible mess.
With CatchCo being such a discreet service, I can clear my name without Sophia or Jonathan knowing what I’m up to. Except I have a feeling the evidence won’t trace back to Jonathan directly. He’d definitely make someone in his tech roster do the dirty work for him.
I huff. As complicated as this might get, it’s better than nothing.
I just need to clear my name before the CEO vote in June.
My mind races, growing eager from all the dreams and possibilities of proving my innocence.
Until I see Gregory, Jonathan, Sophia, and Nirah eating at the outdoor tables at Ollie’s on campus.
Anger twists in my gut, my steps coming to a halt.
Gregory glances up at me with a grin. He pops a fry into his mouth. “Well, look who it is.”
Jonathan smiles, leaning back in his seat. “It’s been so long since we’ve seen you, Diana. We’ve almost forgotten what you look like.”
I smile a little too sweetly for someone imagining them choking on a chili flake.
Since the scandal, I’ve been staying at the Fairmont. It’s a major part of my plan. I need them to think I’m sulking and whimpering into my pillow when in truth, I’m quietly planning to rise back onto my feet.
“We’ve just finished a round of pre-interviews with the lab.” Nirah beckons me over. “Come have dinner with us!”
Jonathan chuckles. “I’m sure Diana has a lot on her plate,” he drawls.
Nirah doesn’t hide the revulsion on her face as she scowls at him. “And I’m sure Diana can tell me that herself,” she snaps.
Jonathan’s lip curls in distaste. Sophia fidgets in her seat.
“It’s not possible, anyways,” she blurts out. Her blushing pink wrap dress is the only soft thing about her, because the face that blinks up at me is utterly icy and dismissive. “I only reserved a table for four people. Looks like you’ll have to handle dinner on your own.”
That’s not the only thing I’ve handled on my own.
“Well, another time, then.” I back away with my smile falling from my face. “Have a good night, everyone.”
I can feel their stares trail my every step. Everyone watches me, whispering and accusing.
Psycho. Manipulator. Snake.
Hurt and betrayal sink like claws into my skin.
I’ve always known that Gregory and Jonathan would never feel like brothers to me.
But Sophia—right before she turned twelve and bàba began priming her to take over the HMG— was the little sister I always reached for.
I hate the thought of having to put her in the line of fire with Jonathan.
With everything she’s done to me, it’s frustrating how I still see her as the little sister who watched Gilmore Girls with me and snuck down to the kitchen to eat sweet garlic bread at midnight.
I need to get it through my head that it’s a waste of time to wait for a little sister who might never come back.
Sophia will never protect me the same way I protect her.
My jaw trembling, I dab at the tears spotting my eyes. I pause near a secluded corner by the pick-up area and take out my phone. I enter CatchCo’s website and start drafting a request to their office. Every word I type fuels the anger writhing inside of me.
I was framed and I want everyone to know who did it.