Chapter 7: A Calculated Sabotage
The backlash came faster than expected, fueled by dirty money and bruised egos. By Tuesday, TMZ and several aggressive tabloid outlets dropped a fabricated bombshell: The Waitress Schemer: Did Clara Hayes Orchestrate The Waldorf Incident For A Payout?
The Sterlings had paid off a former, disgruntled landlord of Clara’s to claim she had a history of grifting. The internet, always hungry for a new villain, began to turn its fickle gaze. Paparazzi swarmed Clara's apartment building, forcing Julian to move her into his private guest suite on the Upper East Side.
Inside the gilded cage of Julian’s penthouse, Clara paced the Persian rugs, furious. "This is a lie! All of it. I’ve worked double shifts my whole life!"
Julian sat on the velvet sofa, his laptop open, his expression utterly unreadable. "I know. Calm down, Clara. In this world, the truth doesn't matter until you weaponize it."
He gestured for her to sit beside him. When she did, the proximity sent a jolt through her. She could smell his cologne—sandalwood and expensive linen.
"They played their hand too early," Julian murmured, typing furiously. "Richard Sterling used company funds to bribe that tabloid. Illegal use of shareholder money. Embezzlement. He was so desperate to destroy a waitress, he left a paper trail."
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Clara looked at the glowing screen, seeing bank transfers and offshore accounts. "How did you get this?"
"I own the cybersecurity firm that manages his servers," Julian smirked, a dangerous, thrilling expression. "Tonight, we attend the Sterling Foundation Charity Gala in the Hamptons. We let them think they’ve won. And then, we pull the rug out."
