Austin knew there would be backlash for slapping Lena. She just didn't expect it to blow up into national news this fast.
She was deep in code when her phone buzzed on the desk. Without looking away from the screen, she swiped to answer.
" Austin!" Lucy's voice blasted through, loud and urgent. " You're trending everywhere. Did you actually slap Lena Cole?"
Austin's fingers didn't stop moving. Her tone stayed flat. " Yeah. Once."
" Holy shit." Lucy sounded half impressed, half horrified.
" You've got guts, I'll give you that. But this thing's blowing up fast. Lena's fan army is freaking out. There's already someone outside Blackwood HQ with signs and cameras. It's total chaos."
Austin paused for just a second. Her fingers hovered above the keyboard. " Hmm."
Lucy let
