Emma gripped the phone so hard her knuckles ached.
“It means," she said slowly, “I asked if you were threatening me, and you just answered."
Charles let out a sharp breath. “I am not threatening you. I'm being realistic."
“Realistic," she repeated. “You tell me you'll only defend me if I give up the role. If I don't do what you want, you 'can't promise' what you'll say. What is that, if not a threat?"
“The producers are already leaning toward replacing you," he said. “I'm just spelling out what will happen. I'm offering you the best outcome in a bad situation."
“For who?" Emma asked. “Because it sounds pretty good for you and Jane."
“For everyone," he insisted. “For you, because your image survives. For the show, because the noise dies. For Jane, because she doesn't get torn apart as
