Chapter 123
The first time Harrison heard the gentle chime of the blessing bell dangling from his rearview mirror was on the day of Natalie’s funeral.
Now, the bell rang again. Was she, wherever she was, still worrying about her best friend?
“Promise me you’ll look after Felicity, okay, big brother?”
Harrison drew a long, steadying breath and dialed Secretary Burnett.
“Wipe every video and comment online that’s slandering Felicity, now.”
“Just to confirm, you want everything negative about Miss Felicity removed?” Burnett double–checked, his voice cautious.
Harrison’s patience was wearing thin. “Who else do you think I’d go to protect?”
out of my way
Burnett quickly suppressed his own assumptions. “Yes, sir. I’ll see to it right away.”
The Thompson House:
Felicity tugged on an oversized hoodie and stood before the full–length mirror. The shapeless sweater hid any hint of her figure–not that there was much to show off up top.
She paired it with black shorts, the hem barely peeking out beneath the baggy hoodie, which only made her legs look longer and leaner.
She pressed a tissue to her lips, blotting out the last traces of bold color until they looked effortlessly natural. Her makeup was expertly subtle, so much so that her crew of guy friends would swear she was bare–faced.
She was about to head out–another night with the boys, another round of drinking
until dawn.
Her phone rang. She picked up.
“What? You’re bailing tonight? Seriously? Buzzkill!”
She barely had time to curse before another call came in.
Felicity answered, only for her expression to darken.
10:16
“You’re skipping out, too? Flaking on me, huh? You got a death wish or what?
“Flick, maybe you should lay low for a while,” the voice on the other end
stammered. “Even if the dirt about you online’s been wiped, everyone’s talking about you and Simon Waverly.”
She rolled her eyes. “What about Simon? He’s practically my favorite kid brother”
Felicity searched her own name online–nothing but silence. Not a single bad word. Those spoiled city trust–fund brats always freaked out over nothing.
She couldn’t care less that the night’s plans were falling apart.
Then she scrolled past Selene’s Twitter feed, skimmed the comments, and felt her blood boil.
She dialed the hacker she knew.
“Hey, didn’t you tell me Selene’s account was just her whining to the void? Why is everyone online rooting for her?”
“How should I know?” The hacker sounded defensive. “I never thought her rants would actually win people over.”
Felicity ran a frustrated hand through her hair. “Delete all of Selene’s tweets. Every last one. Now.”
If things kept spiraling, Selene’s influence would snowball–and Felicity was determined to stop it.
“One hundred grand,” the hacker said flatly.
“You gotta be kidding me! That’s daylight robbery!”
She hadn’t finished ranting when a loud crash exploded through the phone.
The hacker’s voice, suddenly panicked: “Who are you people?!”
A stern male voice cut through. “You’re under arrest!”
Felicity felt a chill run down her spine and hung up abruptly.
Her phone rang again, but she barely heard it over the pounding of her heart. The hacker had been caught; now Felicity was as skittish as a deer in hunting season.
[Alternate Universe Theater]
10:16
Harrison turned to Adrian. “Do whatever you want.” He wasn’t planning to lift a finger about Felicity’s scandals anymore.
Ding–ding–the blessing bell dangling in the car chimed, clear and bright.
Natalie (ghostly, serene): Big brother, you did the right thing. Now I can finally rest in peace.
Harrison heard the bell and thought, My sister wants me to help Felicity!
He immediately grabbed his phone: “I’m handling Felicity’s mess. That’s final.”
Natalie: Aaaaah! Oh, for heaven’s sake! (She shrieks, contorts, and oozes dark energy, her spirit swirling with rage.) May justice be done! If not, I’ll turn into a vengeful ghost and drag you all to hell!
10:16
