Chapter 157
No.1
In a temporary, glass-walled office overlooking Bryant Park, Allena was scrolling through the comments on Devon's Instagram post, a triumphant smile on her face. The new Patek Philippe on her wrist caught the light, sending a shower of sparkles across the room.
"See?" Devon said from the leather armchair opposite her, swirling a glass of whiskey. "I told you it would work. Every gossip column in the city is running the photo. You're not the 'other woman'anymore. You're the brave, beloved fiancée. No one at JHU will dare to question you now."
"You're a genius, Devon," Allena said, finally looking up from her phone. "Unlike Elisa, with her crude,unsophisticated tactics."
"This is just the beginning," Devon said, leaning forward, his eyes gleaming. "We need to elevate your brand. Move you from 'August's girlfriend' to 'industry icon'."
No.2
Allena's interest was piqued. "What do you have in mind?"
"A Netflix documentary," Devon said, the words tasting of ambition. "We'll call it Heart of a Healer:The Allena Mills Story. A profile of a brilliant,compassionate doctor revolutionizing medicine.Think Elizabeth Holmes, but, you know, successful."
Allena's smile sharpened. "I see what you're getting at, Devon," she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. "The narrative of the misunderstood female genius, fighting against the establishment. It's a powerful story. Investors love it.We can use that."
Devon hid a smirk. "Exactly." He continued, "l've already spoken to my contacts at Netflix. They're hungry for a female-led STEM story. If we can get August on camera, just for a few key interviews,they'll give us their top production team and a massive marketing budget."
No.3
A flicker of doubt crossed Allena's face. "August hates that kind of thing. He's intensely prvate."
Devon laughed. "He needs this as much as you do.
He needs to re-establish control of the narrative after Elisa's little TV stunt. And besides, if you're the one asking, how can he possibly say no?"
Just then, Allena's phone rang. She glanced at the screen and held up a finger. "Just a moment, Devon."Her voice instantly sweetened. "Rosalind, darling.Yes... oh, you're going to be in Connecticut this weekend? How lovely. Of course, you should bring Tate by to say hello to Dr. Blevins. August and I are planning to be there ourselves."
No.4
That night, in August's penthouse, Allena lay curled against his chest, the city lights twinkling below them. She pitched Devon's idea as her own, her voice soft and full of carefully constructed vulnerability.
"It's not for me, August," she whispered, tracing a pattern on his shirt. "It's for us. For our work.I want the world to see the incredible things we're building together. I want to silence the people who doubt me."
August was silent for a long time. He hated the idea of cameras following him around, of exposing his life to public scrutiny.
But then he looked down at Allena's face,saw the pleading in her eyes, the faint tremor of her lip. He thought of Elisa in that office, so cold, so strong,so utterly unbreakable.
No.5
Elisá's strength felt like a threat. Allena's weakness felt like a home.
He needed to prove to the world-and to himself-that he had made the right choice. This documentary would be his proof.②
He stroked her hair. "Okay," he said softly. "I'Il do it."
Allena's face lit up with a joy so pure it was almost blinding. She kissed him, a deep, passionate kiss filled with the taste of victory. This was more than just a film. This was August Chambers, agreeing to publicly brand himself as her partner. It was a de facto engagement announcement, broadcast to the entire world.
No.6
She immediately texted Devon the good news.
He called her back, ecstatic. "Perfect! The production team is on standby. First stop: we go to Connecticut and get an interview with the old man himself,Dr.Blevins."
"Blevins?" Allena asked.
"Of course," Devon said. "He's the gatekeeper. The kingmaker. If we can get him on camera, praising your 'vision' and 'talent,' the documentary becomes instántly credible. No one will ever question you again."
No.7
Allena felt a surge of confidence. "He'll do it. With August by my side, and a seven-figure donation to his research foundation from Chambers Group, he won't have a choice."
After she hung up, she stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at her reflection in the dark glass.
It's over, Elisa Wilder, she thought. You're about to find out what real power looks like.
She had no idea she was gleefully planning her own public execution.