Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 52 - 56

Chapter 52: Chapter 56

Kelsey POV

When it’s time to meet the director and the showrunner himself. Avara insists on my presence—a non-negotiable demand she wrangles into this high-profile interview. It wasn’t because she can’t handle the questions herself. Avara is like a diamond; she shines the brightest because she has undergone the most pressure and she had to do it with a pretty smile. But I guess, the comfort of having me nearby, a familiar anchor in the tense arena of media scrutiny, is something she couldn’t forgo.

The studio has stylists touch up our hair and makeup before we are heralded to the primary scene. The set is pristine, all clean lines and polished surfaces, the stage for what is bound to be a grilling by Reece Hartley, the hardliner news reporter renowned for dismantling even the most composed of public figures. Reece sits already poised in his chair, a sophisticated predator waiting to pounce. His presence dominates the room before he even speaks, his eyes cool and calculating, fixed on Avara with the kind of singularity that makes most people falter.

Avara’s chin lifts just slightly as she meets Reece’s gaze. She knows what is coming—the sharp, pointed questions, the relentless pursuit of a soundbite to stir controversy. Avara and I are positioned on the side behind the immaculate table. And Reece presides over the other, watching every miniscule movement.

Reece doesn’t say so much as a word to acknowledge us. The moment the cameras start rolling, he lights up an award-winning smile, and it’s like he’s greeting his old childhood friends.

"Avara Du Point, what an honor it is to have you on the show," he says, beaming through his plastic smile.

"It’s an honor to be here," Avara says with replicated cheer, cutting but veiled with jubilee.

"And catch this folk, our guest has a guest of her own—who is this exquisite young lady?"

"Kelsey Brown," Kelsey introduces.

"Your very own emotional support, human," he says with a humorous grin. "Where can I get one?"

Avara and I push out a laugh, drawn out and single-toned.

"So Kelsey, how is it like having such an accomplished friend—you guys are friends, right?"

"Best friends," I add with a tight-pulled smile. "We’ve known each other since we were kids."

"And Kelsey has her own accomplishments," Avara points out.

"Oh?" Reece asks with mock interest. "And what does she do for a living?"

"She’s a reputable business owner—Ember & Ivory. Her boutique is here in the city."

Reece fixes on an indulgent look, nodding exaggeratedly. "Is that why she came? To give her business a shout out?" he asks, and throws in a laugh to play it off as a tease, but the undercurrent flows with scorn.

"I’m sorry you asked," I say colourlessly.

Reece looks at me with a flash of intrigue. "Feisty. But let’s get to the real reason why we’re all here." He sets Avara with the look of a predator about to go for the jugular. "For the last couple of months, you have taken the media by a storm. The notorious power couple, Oil Tycoon billionaire’s son, Vance Vacheron and Mother Avara. Are you aware that social media has coined a nickname for you—’The Mother’? I assume it’s meant to evoke your reputation for elegance, wisdom, and a near-saintly kindness and compassion. However, the recently leaked photos seem to contradict the grace for which you’re so widely admired."

Avara nods, maintaining a cool composure with expert ease. "The images may paint a narrative, but the truth lies in the facts," she answers, seemingly unfazed.

"And what are the facts?" Reece probes.

"The narrative that was spun was a grouse distortion," she states as her fingers brush lightly against my hand for a fleeting moment. "When I was with Vance, I was never unfaithful with him. At that time, my relationship with Landen was defined by propriety."

Reece gives her this nod of mock consideration. "Would you consider clubbing with your boyfriend’s brother—proper?"

Avara bristles like a prey caught in a hunting trap.

Reece gestures expansively to the gigantic monitor behind us. An image appears of a screenshot of a video. Avara and Landen dancing at a nightclub; she has her grinning face angled to the ceiling with Landen’s arms wrapped around her from behind. His face is buried in the crook of her neck.

"I don’t have a brother," Reece disclaims with a scathing smile. "But if I found him like this with my girlfriend." He shakes his head, releasing a whooshing breath. "He wouldn’t be my brother anymore."

The tension in the room becomes tangible, the hum of cameras and the whispered movements of the crew fading into the background. Avara sits across from Reece, the gleaming table between them feeling more like a chasm. Avara’s hand scrambles for my own under the table and I grab it, covering her hand with my other.

"You know what that picture doesn’t tell you?" I inform. "Avara is too nice, too kind to expose anyone like she was, because that’s the person she is. She’s nice. I’m not. What those pictures don’t tell you is that Avara was given three shots before she was lured into that dance. Only three and she became completely incoherent."

Reece tilts closer and glances at the camera as if to include a live crowd. "Are you telling us that Landen Vacheron spiked her drinks?"

"I’m telling you that no one, not even a lightweight, will almost blackout after just three shots," I say with an unyielding expression. "She wasn’t in her right mind, and that vulnerability was exploited. Many people try to take advantage of the kindness of others under the false illusion of weakness. That fact is true even in the case of—The Mother."

Reece retracts and gives me a pointed look for all to see. "The fierce protector, I hope that if scrutiny ever finds me that at least one of my friends will defend me as you have with Avara."

"Defense suggests a question of guilt or innocence, but in her case, there is no such ambiguity—she is simply blameless, the victim of a wrong committed against her."

"A wrong committed by her new fiance?"

"The leak was done by a third-party entity," Avara says quickly. "We’re looking into the matter privately."

Despite everything, she’s still trying to protect his conniving ass.

"Does this mean I hear church bells ringing?" he asks impishly.

With her free hand, she dramatically runs a smooth hand down her sleek head, flaunting the invaluable jewel on her finger. Reece makes an excited sound as he urges her for a closer look. Avara releases me to lean closer to him and he takes her adorned hand in his to inspect the ring.

He bats his eyes like he’s blinded by sunlight.

"Look at that bling. I think that rock alone can buy my dream mansion by the beach."

Avara grins delightfully. "Probably."

Reece laughs animatedly before he liberates her hand. "I see that despite Landen’s sordid history. He has made quite the public vow. Has anyone seen his feed of late?"

The monitor changes and this time it’s a screenshot of Landen’s Instagram page.

"His entire account has been wiped clean. Every reel and picture, years’ worth of data deleted. The only remaining post is a picture of you two on a dinner date at a waterfront restaurant."

Avara keeps her expression impassive, and she nods imperially. "Yes, that was the dinner that changed everything," she says cryptically. "So that picture does hold significance."

Reece listens avidly, giving the cameras an ecstatic look. "I think what the audience wants to know is when is the engagement party and will Vance be attending? Since the outbreak of the news, it seems Vance Vacheron has taken a leave of absence from his duties—both corporate and social."

Guilt flits over her features too fast for anyone who doesn’t know her to catch.

"That correlation is completely unconnected," she says with a carefree smile. "Nothing has changed between Vance and I. He will be attending all the wedding festivities, because Vance and I love each other. We’re just not in-love with each other," she emphasizes to make the distinction."

Reece pouts and places a touched hand on the breast of his blazer.

"Now, to do a one-eighty. Should we start calling your father Governor Alden? Due to his remarkable level of public favorability and the support of the Vacherons, his position is almost assured."

Avara’s smile strains visibly this time. "Oh, yes, I believe so. The Du Ponts and Vacherons are certainly stronger together."