Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine)

Chapter 59: Damage Control

Jade's POV

The conference room in the hotel felt like a vacuum, the air stifling despite the cool blast of the air conditioning. I adjusted in my seat, my damp hair pulled into a loose braid after the rushed shower. Nick had kissed me goodbye before I left the bus, his touch lingering long after he let go. But the weight of the current situation pressed down on me now, leaving no room for distractions.

Leslie sat to my right, her ever-present clipboard in hand, her expression sharp and unreadable. Across from us, a PR representative named Caroline tapped away on her laptop, her manicured nails clicking against the keys. On the large screen mounted on the wall, the rest of the PR team joined the meeting via Zoom, their faces etched with varying degrees of tension.

"This is not just about damage control," Caroline began, her tone brisk. "This is about shifting the narrative entirely. Harry's interview was calculated to make him look like the victim. We need to counter that without making it seem like we're attacking him directly. Jade's image needs to remain untouchable—strong, professional, and most importantly, truthful."

I folded my hands in my lap, my stomach twisting. "What exactly is the plan?" My voice sounded steadier than I felt, a small victory in the midst of the chaos.

"We've drafted an initial statement," one of the PR team members on Zoom chimed in. Her name, Natalie, appeared on the screen beneath her image. She adjusted her glasses, her tone measured. "We'll send it to you for review before releasing it, but the core message focuses on transparency and strength. We want to address the claims without feeding into the drama."

Leslie leaned forward, her pen poised over the clipboard. "Run us through the key points."

Natalie nodded. "First, we'll firmly deny any suggestion of infidelity on Jade's part. The timeline will be clarified: Harry entered the picture after the breakup with Nick, and even then, it was brief and never serious. Second, we'll emphasize that Harry's decision to share private photos was a gross violation of trust. We'll frame Jade as the victim of an unethical act, not a participant in any wrongdoing."

Caroline chimed in, her tone sharp. "And lastly, we'll stress that Jade's focus remains on her career. We'll pivot the attention back to the tour, the fans, and her upcoming projects. We don't want this scandal to overshadow her achievements."

I nodded slowly, absorbing their words. "And the photo?" I asked, my voice quieter now. The image Harry had sold was the part of this that gnawed at me the most. It felt like the ultimate betrayal, and I wasn't sure how to face it.

Natalie exchanged a glance with someone off-camera before responding. "We'll address it head-on, but with restraint. The statement will acknowledge that it was taken in a private setting and never intended for public consumption. We'll also hint at potential legal action, though we won't confirm anything outright. It's about asserting your boundaries and showing strength without escalating the drama."

Leslie jotted down notes, her jaw tight. "We'll also need to consider the tone of the statement. Jade's voice needs to come through—strong but not defensive. We want the public to see her as composed and unshaken."

Caroline nodded. "Exactly. Jade, do you want to add anything before we finalize the draft?"

I hesitated, glancing between the faces on the screen and the women in the room with me. "Just... make sure it doesn't come off as bitter. I don't want to stoop to his level. This whole thing is exhausting enough without making it worse."

Natalie gave a small, approving smile. "Good. That's the tone we're aiming for."

Leslie tapped her pen against the edge of her clipboard, her sharp eyes fixed on me. "One more thing, Jade. I know the focus of the statement is on reclaiming your narrative and clearing the air, but we also need to address Nick."