Chapter 11: Every Agency

At eight the next morning, Hettie turned on the television and said, "Sit down."

I was still wearing yesterday's mascara.

On screen, Corbin stood on the front steps of Hallworth & Co., in the same suit as the night before.

A crowd of reporters pressed in around a bank of microphones.

Behind him stood the gray-haired director and three others from the board.

Honoria was nowhere in the shot.

"I'll be brief," Corbin said, and his voice was steady, though his hands weren't.

"What I confessed in a boardroom last night, I'm saying again where she can hear it."

A flash storm went off. Reporters shouted over each other.

"Roxie Ludlow was never too big or too difficult."

"She is the best model I have ever worked with."

"Mr. Hallworth, why say this in public?" a woman called.

"Because what I did to her was public. Every agency in this city knew."

He took a folded paper from his pocket.

"As of this morning, I've withdrawn that letter. I've sent a retraction to all forty-one agencies, with my name on it."

"I am also resigning as chief executive of Hallworth and Company, effective immediately."

The noise was enormous.

Hettie gripped the edge of the table. "He didn't tell me he'd do that."

"He didn't tell me, either."

"Mr. Hallworth, are you stepping down because of the scandal?"

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