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“Can you do your job? If the answer is yes, then finish it.”

Carolina shrugs.

“You don't have to publish a damn thing. But don't abandon something you worked for because Mitchell fucked up.”

Dani nods.

“Especially when the other story is bullshit.”

Annabeth leans forward.

“You know the truth, right?”

“As much as I can substantiate.”

“Then write the truth.”

My chest tightens. It's that simple.

And absolutely not simple at all.

“I'd have to disclose the conflict to Cat.”

“So disclose it.”

“I'd need another editor looking at every line.”

“Then get another editor.”

“I'd have to strip out anything I only know because of our personal relationship.”

“Do that.”

“I'd need independent corroboration.”

Carolina smiles.

“Sounds like you know exactly what to do.”

Bitch.

I look at the pages again. At the notes. At the question that started everything.

Why rugby?

I'd thought there had to be some brilliant financial angle.

A hidden strategy.

An acquisition play.

Something Mitchell Knight saw that everyone else missed.

I was wrong.

Or maybe I was looking at the wrong kind of value.

I think about the picture I found the first night I went to Mitchell’s house.