The Price Of Scandal(109)

“I’ll drink to that,” Daisy crowed.

“Honey, you sure know how to rock a scandal,” Lady Raquel in a pink sequined romper said, leaning in to air-kiss my cheeks. “Proud of you.”

“Thanks, Lady Raquel. I’m feeling pretty proud of myself, too.”

“All right, kids, let’s take some orders. Who wants something to soak up the alcohol?”

My phone buzzed on the table.

Bethenny: Do you and Derek have dinner plans? Ed and I would love if you came over. We can take the boat out.





I showed Derek the message, and he grinned. “No offense, but I like your father’s ex-wife significantly more than his current one.”

I laughed and, for the first time in my life, didn’t feel like a traitor when I agreed.

Me: That sounds perfect. We’ll bring the wine.





On reflex, I checked my email and found my inbox was disabled. I blew out a breath. I wouldn’t start every single day of my life with the goal of processing the first one hundred emails. I wouldn’t be sitting in board meetings or reviewing sales numbers, okaying marketing campaigns.

Another text message came in.

Esther: Been thinking. If we can ID these proteins that signify damage, why couldn’t we create a synthetic one designed to fix the muscle damage?





I bit my lip to stop the grin. A new challenge. A new direction. A new family.

“So let me tell you guys about getting mugged,” Cam said.

“What did you just say?” Luna asked, bringing my attention back to the table.

“Did you say mugged or muffed?” Daisy interjected.

“Mugged. Attempted mugging actually. A guy tried to grab my purse in the parking garage at work,” Cam said. “I speared his foot with my stiletto.”

“Oh my God,” I said. “You need better security.”

“I know a security guy,” Derek added.

“You’re missing the point,” Cam said, exasperated. “I was fine.”

“We’ll find you a hot security guy,” Daisy promised.

“I don’t want a security guy, hot or not,” Cam protested.

“Derek, is your friend hot?” Daisy asked, ignoring her.

He shrugged. “I hadn’t thought much about it, but yes. If I were into men, I’d shag him.”

Daisy slapped the table. “Problem solved. Hot security guy.”

Cam rolled her eyes. “Not happening, weirdos. I’ll handle this on my own.”

“Oh, because that always works out so well,” I said.

“I am sensing sarcasm,” Cam mused.

“There you are!”

Jenny, her suit rumpled and hair a mess of flyaways, pulled up a chair.

“Ooh! Update time,” Luna said, wiggling her fingers enthusiastically.

“Let me start at the top,” Jenny said, flinging open a binder on the table.

“Pour the woman a drink,” Derek suggested.

“I wouldn’t say no,” Jenny said. “First things first. Your patent isn’t complete, but it’s actionable enough. We can prove that the formula La Sophia is shopping belongs to Flawless and you have all of the data from the beginning. There’s no way they can replicate that in time for the subpoena I’ve arranged. They have forty-eight hours to produce all of their ‘research.’ Once they fail to do so, then we can move forward with legal action, and the SEC can get up their asses.”

She flipped the page with gusto.

“Next item. Did you know that the patent for your wrinkle reducer is in your name, not Flawless’s?” Jenny asked.

I bit my lip, and Derek laughed softly beside me.

“It might have occurred to me,” I admitted.

“In order for Flawless to continue to sell those products, they’ll have to buy the patent from you.”

“What a shame,” Derek said.

“I’d be open to an even trade,” I said. “I give them the wrinkle reducer if they give me the scar treatment.” Derek squeezed my leg in approval under the table.

“Consider it done,” Jenny said. “The SEC is not inclined to allow an IPO at this time. Not with an investigation into Lita pending. The earliest it could be approved is first quarter of next year.”

“Serves those ungrateful shits right,” Daisy said derisively.

“To ungrateful shits!” Luna said, raising her glass. Luna was a lovely lightweight.

“Speaking of investigations, Lita will face charges,” Jenny continued. “A butt-ton of them. In my professional opinion, if she went this far, there are other things we didn’t catch her on. But the SEC might.”

“Butt-ton!” Daisy cheered.

“How about my dear brother?” I asked.

“Well, he tried to convince your father to file a lawsuit against Mr. Price here for, and I quote, ‘rearranging his face’ and Jane for making him ‘piss his pants.’ But your father wasn’t inclined. In fact, he called the police himself and handed Byron Stanton the Third over to uniformed officers and then called a divorce lawyer.”

I choked on my Bloody Mary. It looked as though fresh starts were happening everywhere.

“You do good work, Jenny,” I said, blotting my mouth with a napkin.