Page 114 of Unleashed By Eden

Liam

Why didn’t you tell me?

Liam

I’m trying to sort it out. I’ve got your back. Always.

Liam

CALL. ME.

I blow out a breath that rattles on the way up. I thought texts would be easier than hearing him speak—some kind of buffer—but it isn’t. It really fucking isn’t.

This is the worst way he could’ve found out. Through a magazine rack and a headline, the same as every stranger with four bucks and a sense of morbid curiosity. He should’ve heard it from me and Carter. Not from stolen pictures and sensational coverlines.

My skin instantly goes cold and clammy, sweat prickling between my boobs and under my hairline.

I back out of his messages and delete all his voicemails before hitting play on Megan’s.

“Hey, Vi.” Her voice sounds tired. “It’s Megan. Hope you’re . . . okay. Head office has emailed.”

My heartrate spikes.

I open my inbox, and the email sits at the top, from a faceless address: [email protected]. Megan is copied in, along with Liam and Chris.

I tap it and my stomach free-falls, dragging the rest of me with it.

The email loads slowly, as if my phone knows it’s about to ruin my life and wants to savor the moment. Little fucker.

The logo loads first. Then the words.

Ms. Henderson,

Effective immediately, your contract with PrimeTime+ is suspended, pending a full internal investigation into the unauthorized release of confidential media assets, including copyrighted behind-the-scenes material and personal content belonging to contracted talent on the Pulse World Tour.

My breath stalls.

This suspension extends to all current access privileges, including (but not limited to) travel, accommodation, set and venue access, and all production communication channels. Until this investigation concludes, you are not permitted to engage in any capacity, paid or unpaid, with the documentary or associated promotional material.

I blink hard, the words merging as I rush through sentences.

Depending on investigative findings, disciplinary outcomes may include termination of contract, forfeiture of outstanding payments, financial penalties, and—if applicable—legal proceedings for breach of contract, breach of confidentiality, and reputational harm to PrimeTime+ and its partners.

The next line might as well be in neon.

We strongly advise you to seek independent legal counsel.

Regards,

PrimeTime+ Legal & Compliance

I stare at the bland little sign-off that feels like a guillotine blade.

My fingers uncurl, and the phone slips from my hand, thudding onto the carpet. I don’t pick it up. The words stack themselves in my mind, a little tower of destruction, each one carefully placed to ruin me from the inside out.

Suspended.

Termination.