"What is it?" Starla asked, her smile lazy and unfocused, intoxication softening the edges of her gaze.
What came next shattered that haze like a wineglass against marble.
"You should cancel your collaboration with Greyson Leo."
Vincent's voice cracked like thunder inside her skull. She shot upright so fast her head spun, her lips parting in disbelief.
"What are you talking about?" she snapped back, voice laced with incredulity and defiance. "Of course I can't cancel it. Where would I put my face, my pride, if I abandoned our work together over some—some sick prank?"
"Sick prank?" Vincent repeated, each syllable trembling with disbelief. His eyes widened, his stare cutting through her like a blade. "Is that the story you're pushing? The narrative you handed him? That this is just a harmless little stunt to spin away a scandal?"
