Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 104

"I did," Audrina replied, keeping her spine perfectly straight.

"Audrina. Whether the stuff online is true or false, I can't verify it, and I won't investigate it. I don't care about your private life. However—"

He paused, slamming his palm flat against the desk with a sharp smack. Anger rolled off him in waves. "You broadcast during primetime! You represent the face of our program! You represent the entire financial network!"

"What does the financial network stand for? Professionalism and credibility! And you? One trending topic and you've dragged decades of the network's reputation through the mud!"

Audrina kept her head slightly bowed, offering no explanation.

The public outcry was already spiraling out of control. One person couldn't silence an entire internet mob.

She had to solve this at the root.

She already had a pretty good idea of what happened.

She had sent the agreement to Zachary, and he hadn't responded. Yet the moment her broadcast ended, this massive smear campaign exploded.

Who else could be behind it?

Seeing her utter refusal to explain herself, Martin's face flushed red with fury.

He planted his hands on his hips and paced back and forth across his office.

After a long while, he finally said, "Go home and wait for further notice. The network will review the situation and decide on disciplinary action. We'll inform you when we reach a conclusion."

Audrina agreed quietly and said nothing more.

Leaving his office, she returned to her desk to pack a few belongings.

Claire looked up at her, her lips parting, but she couldn't seem to find the words.

Audrina offered her a small smile, grabbed her bag, and headed out. In the hallway, a few people sidestepped to make way for her, their eyes darting away. Not a single person spoke to her.

Down in the underground garage, Audrina slid into the driver's seat and started the engine.

The roar of the exhaust echoed sharply in the cavernous space.

"Yes."

The man let out a heavy sigh. "Audrina, I love you. I don't want us to end."

His voice sounded incredibly sincere, almost moving. "Name your conditions. Shares, real estate, cash—whatever you want, I can give it to you..."

But Audrina didn't even let him finish before hanging up.

Zachary said he loved her? How did he manage to say that without laughing at himself?

Audrina's lips curled in disgust. She picked up her phone and texted Willow: [Sorry to make you worry. I'll handle the trending topics.]

Willow replied instantly: [I was the one who told you to drive that car! I'm putting out a statement right now! Let's see who dares to say you're a kept woman!]

Audrina: [Don't. If you post it, they'll just say I paid you to cover for me. Let's talk when I get back.]

After sending the text, she tossed her phone onto the passenger seat. She leaned back against the headrest, her gaze unfocused, before slowly letting her body fold forward until her head rested against the steering wheel.