Page 119 of What Comes Around

Who leaked it?

Apple’s arrest. The mugshot. The café footage.

A buzz cut through it. I glanced down. Another message from Amy.

Someone had leaked another video.

This time it was from the Sinclair Enterprises parking garage.

I opened it. Grainy footage filled the screen, but it was unmistakable. Me, fighting off a masked man, struggling, refusing to be shoved into a car. Even knowing how it ended, my chest tightened as I watched.

Within minutes it went viral. Comments exploded.

“oh my god this is terrifying”

“she fought for her life”

“did you see her hit her face on the car that’s where the bruises came from not a nose job like that gossip channel said”

I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or throw up.

I closed the app, but it didn’t matter. It was already everywhere.

By evening, a full Daily Mail article had gone live.

Family Feud, Kidnapping Attempt, and Pregnancy Bombshell: Inside the Explosive Scandal Surrounding Sinclair Enterprises

They had everything. The mugshot, the affidavit, the café footage, the parking garage video.

There was even a statement from Sinclair Enterprises.

“The safety of our employees is our highest priority. We take this incident extremely seriously. We are reviewing all security protocols and implementing additional protective measures immediately.”

Chicago PD added their own comment, confirming the attack and that the suspect was in custody.

The article included a clip from Apple’s appearance on the Call Me Mommy podcast. She smiled into the camera, talking about being pregnant by a “very powerful businessman,” hinting that I had taken everything from her.

“Sources speculate whether the businessman referenced in the podcast could be Knox Sinclair, CEO of Sinclair Enterprises, where Ashley Richards is currently employed.”

It ended with Marissa.

“The situation becomes even more complicated given the ongoing trial of Marissa Richards, Ashley Richards’ stepmother, who is currently awaiting trial in connection with the death of Ashley’s biological mother, Ines Richards.”

Just like that, I was internet famous again.

Trending.

And not just on gossip channels this time.

Most of the internet was on my side, but a few die-hard Apple fans were still fighting in the comments, rewriting history like their lives depended on it.

I stared at my phone, trying to make sense of it, trying to figure out who was behind all of this.

Then I stood and walked toward Knox’s office.

Linda looked up the moment I approached.

“Is Knox free?” I asked.