Chapter 12 - THE PHOTO SOPHIE POSTED YEARS AGOThe next crisis came from something absurdly old.
A photograph.
Five years earlier, Sophie had posted a birthday album online.
One image showed Ava laughing beside James at a rooftop party.
At the time no one cared.
Now gossip accounts connected it.
AVA BENNETT AND JAMES CALLOWAY DATED BEFORE HIS MARRIAGE TO CLAIRE WESTMORE.
Then Sophie’s old caption resurfaced:
Ava finally found someone rich enough to keep her interested.
The irony was brutal.
Comments mocked Sophie once people realized Ava came from far greater wealth than James.
Screenshots spread.
Sophie’s employer noticed.
She worked for a luxury brand obsessed with discretion.
Her boss called.
“Why are journalists asking whether you leaked wedding story?”
Sophie went cold.
“I didn’t leak directly.”
“That answer is worse.”
Preston’s name surfaced through another guest.
Someone had seen Sophie talking to him before blind item.
The social-media video at gate had also shown Sophie mocking Ava.
Within days, Sophie became part of story.
Not famous.
But visible enough to damage.
Her employer placed her on leave.
Sophie called Ava.
No answer.
She texted:
Please. I need to talk.
Ava replied hours later:
Not tonight.
Sophie stared.
She wanted to say:
I could lose my job.
Then realized Ava knew.
And had not caused it.
Sophie called Preston.
“You did this.”
He laughed.
“No, Sophie. You told me something interesting.”
“Then you were recorded saying something ugly.”
“Then internet connected public posts you made yourself.”
“You used me.”
“Everyone uses everyone.”
Sophie thought of Ava.
No.
Not everyone.
Preston continued:
“You wanted to be in these rooms.”
“This is cost.”
Sophie hung up.
She spent the evening deleting old posts.
Then stopped.
Deleting looked like hiding.
Instead she wrote one public statement:
The comments I made at the wedding entrance were arrogant and disrespectful. I also shared private information that was not mine to share. I am responsible for both. Ava Bennett did not cause my employment situation and has not asked anyone to punish me.
Her publicist friend told her not to post.
Sophie did anyway.
For once she wanted accuracy more than image.
It did not save job immediately.
But Ava saw it.
May you like
She did not respond.
Not yet.
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