One Year to Live: I Traded My Toxic Family for Global Fame novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Offer

Corbin came to the garage on Friday at four, alone, in a charcoal suit with a leather folio under his arm.

Tegan was sitting at the folding table under the ring light with a mug of coffee and a laptop.

The camera on its tripod was lit red.

"You're filming," Corbin said.

"It's a studio. Everything is filmed."

He looked at the red light for a long moment, and then he smiled the smooth smile he used on clients.

"Fine. We don't have anything to hide."

He sat across from her and opened the folio.

"This is the family's offer," he said. "I want you to read it before you say anything clever."

She read it.

Five million dollars for the rights to Open Door Pictures, paid in cash over two years.

A new contract with Stegman Entertainment, with Tegan's name above Camille's on the roster.

A clause that moved Tegan into the family house for the thirty days before the finale, "for her health and security."

"Thirty days under Mom's roof," Tegan said.

"You've been through a lot. The family wants you safe."

"And the show?"

"You keep the lead. Camille drops the guest slot." He leaned back. "Luther has agreed. That is a significant concession."

"Why the house?"

"Because you're unstable."

Tegan kept her face still.

"Say that again."

"Not unstable. Overextended." He adjusted a cuff. "The press will say it anyway if you keep running around on a mountain. If you're under supervision, the family controls the story. Camille's idea, actually. She said you'd do better with us close."

"Camille asked for the thirty days."

"She asked for the exact dates. February second to March second." Corbin shrugged. "I don't question it. When she wants something, it's usually right."

On the shelf behind him, under a stack of cable, a little green light blinked on a second recorder.

Cal had put it there that morning.

"And on March second?" Tegan asked.

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