Chapter 13

No.1

chapter13

The cab pulled up to a massive wrought-iron gate hidden behind a wall of thick, dark hedges in Long Island.

Elisa paid the driver and stepped out. The gate buzzed open automatically.

She walked up the long driveway to a secluded,modern glass-and-wood house. The front door swung open before she even reached the steps.

Jewel stood in the doorway, wearing an oversized cashmere sweater.Her eyes immediately dropped to the bloody bandage on Elisa's arm.

"Oh my god," Jewel gasped, rushing forward and grabbing Elisa's uninjured elbow. "Get inside."

Elisa stepped into the warm, cedar-scented living room. She didn't sit down.

She reached into her bra, pulled out the cold,metal solid-state drive, and placed it gently on the glass coffee table.

"I got it," Elisa said,her voice raspy.

Jewel stared at the drive, then back at Elisa."What happened at the penthouse? The news is going crazy. They're saying August is a saint."

Elisa sank onto the sofa. She explained the PR spin,the bot accounts, and the internal memo about Julian's broken engagement.