Chapter 20 How Much More Can They Take?
Harper's Pov,
"THREE MONTHS,"
Marcus said, tapping the document.
"That's how long Emma Rodriguez has been on Brianna's payroll. Since before she reached out to you. She was hired specifically to extract information from you, Ms. Sinclair. That reconnection wasn't any coincidence… it was reconnaissance."
My mouth went dry.
Every coffee date, every vulnerable conversation, every moment I'd thought I was talking to an old friend… all of it had been a setup.
"But here's what you really need to know," Marcus continued, pulling out another paper. "Brianna didn't hire Emma. Someone else did.”
He slid the new paper across the table. It was an invoice. From Emma's PR firm to a company called Hartley Management Group.
My blood went cold. "Joel's agency."
"More specifically, Joel's agent, Richard Moss." Marcus leaned back in his chair.
"Mr. Moss hired Emma Rodriguez two months ago to 'conduct opposition research' on you. He's the one who orchestrated the whole thing; reconnecting Emma with you, getting the contract information, shopping it to gossip sites."
"Why?" The word came out barely a whisper. "Why would Joel's agent care about destroying me?"
"Because you've become a liability to his client's image," Marcus said flatly. "Think about it. Joel Hartley was America's wholesome hockey boyfriend until you came along and revealed he's a cheating liar who got another woman pregnant. His endorsement deals are tanking. His public favorability is in the toilet. But if they can flip the narrative, make you the villain who's obsessed and manipulative…"
"Then Joel becomes the victim," Maya finished. "The good guy who tried to help his unstable ex-girlfriend and got burned for it."
"Exactly." Marcus pulled the documents back into his briefcase. "Richard Moss is very good at his job. And his job is protecting Joel Hartley's brand at all costs. Including destroying yours."
I sat there, trying to absorb it all.
Joel's agent had weaponized my old friendships against me. Had paid Emma to betray me. And even leaked our contract to make me look like a monster.
"Can we sue them?" Maya asked. "For invasion of privacy or something?"
"You could try," Marcus said. "But you'd need to prove Emma obtained the contract illegally, which she didn't. You gave her that information willingly. As far as the law's concerned, she's just a source who sold a story."
"So they get away with it."
"Unfortunately," Marcus confirmed. "Welcome to PR warfare, Ms. Sinclair. It's not pretty."
I stood up and walked to Maya's window, staring out at Seattle. From up here, the city looked peaceful and orderly. Nothing like the chaos currently destroying my life.
"Why are you telling me all this?" I asked without turning around. "You said you wanted to protect Crew, but this doesn't help him. This just confirms what everyone already thinks; that I'm a mess and he got caught in the crossfire."
"I'm telling you because I want to make you an offer."
Something in his tone made me turn around. Marcus was watching me, one eyebrow slightly raised, his mouth pressed into a thin line… while his fingers tapped his briefcase once, twice, then stopped.
Whatever he was about to say, it's quite clear that he'd been planning it carefully.
"What kind of offer?"
"One that benefits both of us." He stood up, straightening his suit jacket. "Ms. Sinclair, you care about Crew. That much is obvious, regardless of how the relationship started. And I believe you when you say your feelings became real."
"But?"
"But Crew's career is on life support right now. He's suspended indefinitely. Half the internet thinks he was complicit in your revenge scheme. The other half thinks he's a naive addict who got manipulated. Neither narrative helps him rebuild his reputation when he gets out of rehab."
"What are you saying?"
Marcus met my eyes. "I'm saying that the best thing you could do for Crew Lawson's career would be to end the relationship the moment he gets out of treatment."
The words hit me like a physical blow. "You want me to break up with him."
"No, I don't mean it like that.” Marcus said flatly.
“What I'm saying is, I want you to let him go. Publicly. Make a statement that you care about him but you recognize that continuing the relationship would be harmful to his recovery and his career. Position yourself as selfless rather than manipulative. Give him a clean slate."
"In exchange for what?"
"In exchange for my help with your lawsuit. I have connections with several excellent defense attorneys. I can make calls, pull strings, get you representation that won't cost you a dime. I can also put out strategic leaks that shift the narrative away from you being obsessed with your ex and toward you being a woman who made a mistake and is trying to make amends."
I stared at him. "So you want me to trade Crew for a legal defense?"
"I want you to make a practical choice that helps both of you." Marcus's voice was infuriatingly calm. "Right now, you're both drowning. If you break up with him, at least one of you might survive."
"Get out," Maya said, her voice shaking with rage. "Get the hell out of my apartment!!"
"I'm trying to help—"
“YOU CALL THAT HELPING?!" she shouted, cutting him off.
“You're trying to manipulate her into giving up the person she loves so your client's Q Score doesn't drop." Maya moved toward Marcus, and despite being half his size, she looked absolutely terrifying.
"Harper already lost her job. She's being sued for half a million dollars. Paparazzi are camped outside her apartment. And you want her to lose Crew too? For what? So he can get better endorsement deals?"
"So he can have a career at all," Marcus shot back. "The Titans are looking for any excuse to void his contract. If he comes back and immediately reunites with the woman everyone thinks used him, they'll cut him loose. He'll never play professional hockey again."
"Then that's his choice to make," I said, my voice steady. "Not mine. Not yours. His."
"He's going to choose you," Marcus said, and something flickered across his face… pity, maybe.
"When Crew gets out of that facility, he's going to be vulnerable and scared and looking for something solid to hold onto. And you'll be there. And he'll choose you because that's who he is. But five years from now, when his career is over and he's working construction or coaching high school hockey because he burned every bridge in the NHL, he's going to resent you for it."
"You don't know that."
"I've been doing this for twenty years. I know exactly how this story ends." Marcus picked up his briefcase. "Think about my offer, Ms. Sinclair. You have twenty-six days to decide whether you love Crew Lawson enough to let him go."
He walked to the door, then paused. "Oh, and one more thing. You should check your email. I believe your employer sent something earlier this morning."
The door closed behind him.
"That manipulative son of a bitch" Maya said, her cheek boiling hot with anger.
I was already pulling out my phone, finding the unread email from Dr. Chen.
____
Notice of Termination
Dear Ms. Sinclair,
Due to ongoing circumstances affecting Evergreen Physical Therapy's reputation and client relationships, we are officially terminating your employment effective immediately. This decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Your final paycheck, including accrued vacation time, will be directly deposited within 5-7 business days. Please arrange to collect your personal belongings from the clinic between 6-7 PM today, when the office will be closed to clients.
We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
Regards,
Dr. Lisa Chen
____
They'd actually done it. Fired me completely.
"Harper?" Maya's voice came from somewhere far away. "What is it?"
I looked up at her, and anger replaced the despair. Sharp, clean anger that burned away the fog of self-pity I'd been drowning in.
As a matter of fact, I was done letting people push me around.
"I'm going to get my stuff from the clinic," I said, standing up. "And RIGHT NOW. Not at 6 PM when they tell me to slink in like I'm ashamed. Right now!"
"Harper, that's probably not a good—"
"I don't care." I grabbed my jacket.
"They fired me for defending myself. Fine. But they don't get to dictate how I leave. I'm walking in there during business hours, collecting my things, and walking out with my head up."
Maya stared at me for a second, then a slow smile spread across her face. "Okay. Let's go."
"Wait, you don't have to."
"Like hell I don't. You think I'm letting you do this alone?" She grabbed her keys.
"Besides, if Dr. Chen wants to make this ugly, she should know you've got backup."