Page 101 of The Encounter
“I don’t think that would work.” She sighed. “When will this end?”
Kailynn stayed silent until Maddie looked at her.
“Honestly, Maddie, you’re dating a celebrity. I’m not sure it’ll ever end. It seems like Samantha has a personal vendetta against you for whatever reason. The public may lose interest in the stories eventually if it’s always attacking you. The woman will eventually run out of things to report, but that doesn’t mean she’ll ever leave you alone. She’s clearly a vindictive person.”
“I didn’t even do anything to her,” Maddie whined. She jutted out her lower lip, knowing she likely looked like a child.
“But you did.”
Maddie gave Kailynn a questioning look.
“You’re dating the man she wants,” Kailynn finished.
Maddie knew she was right. Samantha so much as said so at the charity gala, but Jace didn’t want her. At some point, she would have to move on, or so Maddie assumed.
A text pinged on her phone, and she picked it up to find a message from Kayla.
Did you read Celebrity Status?
Maddie typed out a reply,Yes.
What a lying twat! And that lying dickbag of an ex. She must have paid him loads.
That’s what Kailynn and I suspect.
Have you heard from Jace?
Maddie clicked open her text to Jace, which had no new messages since earlier that morning when they wished each other a good morning.
Not yet. What a mess. What do I say?
The dots danced across the screen, showing that Kayla was typing a message.
I don’t think he’ll actually believe it.
The thought of Jace believing anything Samantha said made Maddie sick to her stomach. She and Jace had a strong enough relationship to withstand Samantha’s lies at that point, she thought.
Maddie’s lunch break ended, and she tried her hardest to focus on her work again, but eventually she picked up her phone and typed out a message to Jace.
We need to talk. Are you home?
His response came immediately.
Of course. Come as soon as you can.
I’ll be by when I get off work.
Her phone rang, and she picked it up to find an unknown number. She glanced at Kailynn, who was sewing.
“Hello?” Maddie asked.
“Hi. Is this Madelyn Carter?” A formal voice asked.
“Yes.”
“This is Shawn from the Hollywood Gazette. Could I ask you a few questions about your relationship with Jace Locke?”
Her mouth dropped open. When she didn’t respond, the reporter continued.
