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Determination filling her steps, she headed down the hall toward her bedroom, glancing at her phone. She had a few text messages, one from her mother, two from Matteo and one from Rafe, all of them asking about a certain bit of news that recently went public regarding her involvement with the Worths.
She pressed the link Matteo sent in his text, waiting impatiently for it to load. And when the article finally appeared, her knees weakened at first sight of the headline.
Renaldi Daughter Really the Love Child of Michael Worth.
Swallowing past the nausea that rose, she sat on the edge of her bed, skimming the article. Most of the information was fairly accurate, mixed with pure speculation and a hint of outright lies. She searc
hed the web and found that the story was mentioned everywhere, at all the network news sites.
In other words, she needed to start a damage control campaign, stat.
Her cordless phone rang and she answered it quickly, hoping Gavin didn’t hear.
“Where have you been? Why haven’t you responded?” Matteo asked, his voice tight.
“Calm down, I just received your texts.”
“Did you read that article? What the hell is going on, Stasia?”
“I read it.” She scrolled back up, saw that the article was featured in an English tabloid. They were the worst of them all. “I have no idea who they talked to. Anyone could’ve leaked it. Someone from the lab, maybe—it’s not like we kept it a complete secret.”
“Could’ve been anyone, eh? Could’ve been the Worths leaking this story and trying to make you and us look bad,” Matteo practically growled. “I will not let them desecrate our name.”
Oh God, just what she’d feared. Her families going to war while she was stuck in the middle. “I doubt they would do this. They look just as bad.”
“No, actually, they do not. Did you read the article? They make Mama sound like some sort of crazed sex addict looking for revenge against our father. It’s disgusting.”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” She tossed her cell phone onto the bed and lay back on the mattress, closing her eyes. This was the very last thing she needed, especially tonight. “Have you talked to Mama?”
Stasia should call her, make sure her mother was all right. Maybe even go to her apartment and offer her some comfort. It was the least she could do.
“Yes,” Matt bit out. He reminded her of their father when he was angry, how he would get that low growl to his tone, his accent coming through full force. “She’s very upset but also mentioned she expected such a reaction from the press. She wishes to talk to you.”
“I’ll call her in the morning, my time. I—I can’t deal with this right now.” Stasia closed her eyes, her heart turning somersaults. She hated that this had happened. Not because of herself, but for her mother. She was fragile enough…
“You cannot avoid your problems forever, Anastasia. You need to confront this head on, present the public with the facts and hope that a new scandal comes along and distracts them.”
“I’d rather not say anything at all.” Why would she need to talk to the press and tell them such personal, intimate details in regards to their family? It was none of their business.
“I wouldn’t recommend that approach.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t, but ultimately, I’m going to do what’s best for me and for both families involved.”
Her brother was bossy, demanding. Always wanting everyone to follow his commands and to hell with anyone else’s ideas.
“Don’t forget businesses are involved here as well. Both men left legacies their sons are trying to carry on. Don’t let this little scandal ruin those legacies,” Matteo said.
“Remember, I am the ‘little scandal’ you refer to.” Stasia’s blood boiled with fury. What the hell was Matt thinking, saying something like that? “And the legacies aren’t being carried on by only the sons. I’m included in that as well. Or do I not matter because I’m a woman?”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“I don’t have to. You already said them.” She hung up on her brother before he could continue, anger making her hands shake. She still lay in the middle of the bed, staring up at the ceiling, gripping the cordless phone so tight her fingers ached.
A soft knock sounded on her half closed bedroom door and then Gavin peeked around it, concern written all over his face. She sat up quickly, letting go of the phone. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She offered him a weak smile. “Not really.”
He pushed the door open, entering the room so he stood at the foot of the bed. “What happened? I thought you were taking a shower.”
