Chapter 45

Valeria sat in her apartment, looking like she’d seen a ghost. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she scrolled through her phone, reading one savage comment after another, her heart sinking. She’d thought this competition would be her big break, her ticket to the top. Instead, everything had spectacularly blown up in her face.

“How the hell did this happen… hoe the fuck…” she kept muttering to herself, her eyes wide with panic.

Valeria immediately speed-dialed Jasper.

Back at the press conference, things were getting even more entertaining. Someone in the crowd yelled out, “Yo, that reporter who promised to get on her knees and apologize—we’re waiting!” The whole room erupted in laughter. The reporter who’d made that promise basically ran out of there with her tail between her legs.

After the press conference ended, Anastasia was heading home when her phone rang—Jasper.

“Anastasia, you planned this whole thing, didn’t you?” Jasper’s voice was pure venom.

Anastasia’s tone was flat and dismissive. “I literally have no clue what you’re talking about.”

Jasper’s voice crackled through the phone, barely containing his rage. “You know Valeria was gonna steal your shit all along, right? You fucking set her up! Ana, when did you turn into such a scheming bitch?” Jasper was genuinely shocked. The old Anastasia had been so sweet and naive. This version was a complete stranger.

Anastasia laughed coldly. “Jasper, that’s fucking hilarious coming from you. Valeria chose to steal my work—that’s on her. I just covered my ass ahead of time. What, was I supposed to sit there like an idiot and let her torpedo my career?” The audacity of this guy to actually question her was insane. He and Valeria really were made for each other—both completely shameless.

Jasper was quiet for a beat, then came back swinging. “You could’ve called her out way earlier! Why wait until now? Do you have any idea how badly she’s getting dragged online? You’re fucking heartless!”

“Heartless?” Anastasia’s voice went ice-cold. “Jasper, did it ever occur to you that if I didn’t have solid proof, I’d be the one getting destroyed right now? My reputation would be toast, which is probably exactly what you and Valeria were hoping for.”

That shut Jasper up real quick. He honestly hadn’t looked at it that way. He was just focused on how miserable Valeria looked right now and feeling sorry for her. But he’d totally ignored the fact that Valeria had created this entire shitshow herself. She’d dug her own grave.

When Jasper stayed quiet, Anastasia kept going. “Jasper, Valeria brought this on herself. She better learn to stay in her lane from now on.”

“Ana, don’t get too comfortable up there. Just remember—don’t think hooking up with Cassian means anything. He’s probably just having fun with you. You’ll be begging to come back to me soon enough.” Jasper was getting desperate and mean.

Anastasia’s laugh was ice-cold. “Don’t hold your breath. Even if I end up living under a bridge, I’d never come crawling back to you.”

She hung up without another word. God, she was so grateful she’d escaped that toxic mess, what an absolute waste of space.

Right after ending the call, Anastasia looked up and spotted a familiar figure standing nearby. The guy was wearing a perfectly fitted suit that screamed money, radiating calm confidence, his dark eyes focused and thoughtful—Cassian. He’d clearly been standing there for a minute and had probably heard her entire conversation.

Anastasia blinked in surprise, then smiled as she walked over. “Hey, what are you doing here? Thought you had that big meeting?”

Cassian’s eyes warmed up as he looked at her. “Meeting got cut short. Figured I’d come get you. Everything handled?”

Anastasia nodded. “Yeah, all good.”

Cassian grinned and reached out to mess with her hair playfully. “Perfect. I want to show you something.”