Starting Over: rewrite

Rhode's Women Reunited

I have so many twists and turns planned for this book. I hope you're all ready.

3rd Person's POV

Ever since the news broke about Lily's scandal, reporters have been camping outside the van der Woodsen-Humphrey house nonstop dying to get a glimpse of any member of the family. "The van der Woodsen family is no stranger to the tabloids. But this time, it appears the mother of all scandals surrounds the mother." A reporter says outside of the van der Woodsen home. "Sources say Lily could be facing up to ten years in prison for forgery and obstruction of justice. Will Lily Humphrey end up behind bars? The society queen allegedly forged her daughter's signature on an affidavit that sent an innocent man to jail for almost three years. The victim Ben Donovan, has been cleared of all charges, but it is unlikely Lily Humphrey will be so lucky. She's holed up in her penthouse apartment while her lawyers scramble to work out a deal. We are currently outside of the van der Woodsen's Upper East Side residence. Oddsmakers around town are taking bets on the length of her prison sentence." A commotion behind the reporter escalates as Serena approaches the building.

"Hey, hey, Miss van der Woodsen! Has your mother heard any news?' The reporters crowd around Serena. Serena ignores them and pushes past the mob as she safely enters the building.

"Hey, Chuck." Serena calls her stepbrother once she's in the building.

"How's Lily holding up?" Chuck asks.

"I'm here now. Aren't you coming over for brunch?"

"Lily thought it would be complicated enough without me."

"Is Ella coming?" Serena asks.

"She is finishing selling a townhome in Midtown then she'll be over."

"Good because I can't handle all of this by myself. ." Serena exclaims. "My grandmother, my stepfather, my father who was last seen fleeing from the police? Complicated is an understatement."

"How are things with William?"

"Oh, if I cut everyone out of my life who made a mistake. I wouldn't have anyone left." Serena responds.

"On the topic of mistakes, do you know one I might have made to cause Blair to cut me off?" Chuck asks.

"You didn't talk to her after your party?"

"She wouldn't let me in her room. When she said she didn't wanna talk to me, I didn't think she meant ever again. She's not seeing someone, is she?" Serena chuckles at his question.

"Oh, no, not unless you count Dorota. She hasn't left her bed in a week."

"She's pulling a Camille? But why?"

"I think her powerful-woman path hit a roadblock and you know how important that is to her." Serena reminds him.

"Thanks for the heads-up. Give Lily my love."

"I will. Bye."

__________________________________
Inside the van der Woodsen-Humphrey penthouse, Lily is constantly scrolling through the online tabloids about herself. "Come on, Lil, reading this is not gonna make things any easier." Rufus tells her.

"Well, sometimes it's better to know what's out there. You know deal with it, move on." William argues on Lily's behalf even though it isn't necessary.

"Lily and I were just talking about moving on. Oh, what was the topic of that conversation? Oh, yeah you." Rufus fires back in defense. Lily gives her husband a look. William scoffs at Rufus' comment.

"How many times do I have to tell you? I am not going anywhere until I know that my children are taken care of in the event that Lily can't do so herself."