the disheveled pair with a heartbroken expression. S

d, each word a carefully crafted note in her symp

it wasn't like that," she sobbed, shakin

e?" A bitter, cold lau

ra's expensive white designer gown. The dress, already damaged and precarious f

s flying to cover her ch

s now, a strobe of digital vultur

on Zane. The feigned sorrow in her eyes vanished, replaced by

acked with guests drawn by the commotio

n-all of it, gone. He shoved past Heidi, scrambling f

sgraced, pursued by a gaun

terical sobs. She was a ruin of white silk and exposed s

e phone in Heidi's pocket. A m

nnels synchronized. Tren

ck into place. She rushed to Carra's side, pulling off her own

she cried, holding her. "

d by both her fiancé and her sister, choosing to protect her family's

ad devolved into a caco

orner. His assistant, Sean Foster, sto

people 'accidentally' directe

"grief-stricken" face that was already circulating.

ved upstairs. Heidi's father, Arthur Bo

hed to embrace her. Arthur, his face purple with rage, bello

oor wa

. She helped a "grieving" Jimmie to her feet. "Jimmie, t

a near-catatonic Carra through a service exit. H

rty wa

elevator, he spoke to Sean. "Tell Carlei

lawless performance just now was burned into his

ery gossip site and social media platform. Zane Sterling's fami

ugged and assaulted his fiancée's innocent sister. Carra was

ily. Carra, thanks to the widely circulated photo

r bedroom door. She walked to the mirror

ly satisfied smile s

was an encrypted file titled "Henders

e was just

An unknown numbe

h the line. "Heidi Bolton? This is Cha