King of Sloth (Kings of Sin #4) by Ana Huang

“Because restaurants do it better?”

“Well, yeah.” He laughed when I knocked my knee against his in reproach, but a smile broke through my disgruntlement.

If I put enough time and effort in, I was positive I’d kick baking’s ass. There was no way a little sugar and flour could beat me, but I didn’t like baking, and I didn’t have to be good at everything (even though I could be if I wanted).

“In better news, Perry’s social media accounts got banned,” I said as Nate Reynolds engaged in a shoot-out with a group of mercenaries onscreen. Xavier always watched rom-coms with me, so I suffered through the action thriller for him. It wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. It was actually pretty good, and Nate was delicious eye candy.

Xavier’s eyebrows shot up again, this time in surprise. “When did that happen? They were working last night.”

“Less than an hour ago, right before the smoke alarm went off,” I said. “I saw Isa’s text on my lock screen.”

I’d eagerly googled the story while Xavier paid the delivery guy. After Soraya posted her denial video earlier this week, her fans had swarmed Perry’s accounts with vicious determination and successfully gotten all of his social media banned. Apparently, the platforms had denied his appeals, and he’d already uploaded a new blog post begging for help reinstating his accounts.

It wouldn’t make my father rehire Rhea or help me see Pen, but it was deeply satisfying.

“So revenge has been served,” Xavier said.

“Not yet. There’s still the matter of his blog.” I tapped my phone. “A little birdie told me Bryce is suing him for libel and the emotional distress it caused in his marriage.”

“Plenty of people have sued him for libel before. It’s never stuck.”

“This time is different. There’s proof Perry acted with reckless disregard and published that post without verifying any of the ‘facts.’”

“Perry Wilson in court. That would be a sight to see,” Xavier drawled. “I’m surprised he was foolish enough to do that. Say what you will about the man, but he’s usually more careful about these things.”

I shrugged. “Man’s ego is always his downfall.” A tiny smile crept across my mouth. “Plus I may have planted a rumor that an upstart blog was about to scoop him on the scandal of the year.”

Besides his general mean-spiritedness, Perry was famous for his paranoia over someone usurping his throne.

“His advertisers are already spooked,” I added. “If this libel suit has legs, which I think it does, there’ll be an exodus, which means he’ll need money, which means…”

“It’ll be primed for a takeover,” Xavier finished. “Kai Young?”

“He emailed me yesterday. He said he’s open to it if the price and conditions are right.” I didn’t doubt Kai’s ability to squeeze the best deal out of Perry’s soon-to-be-dying blog.

“So you’ll be rid of Perry Wilson the man, and you’ll ensure his only remaining platform will be in friendlier hands.” Xavier whistled. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“I don’t do stuff like this often, but he deserves it,” I said. It wasn’t about just me or Xavier; it was about the entire culture Perry had propagated. Gossip and rumors had always existed, but he’d taken them to a new nasty, underhanded level.

And yeah, okay, it was also a little personal. My blood boiled every time I thought about his blog post on Pen. Attacking adults was one thing; dragging a child into it was another.

“If I had access to my inheritance, I’d buy it out and save you the trouble,” Xavier said. “I’ve always wanted a little slice of the internet kingdom.”

I laughed. “I appreciate the sentiment, but the thought of you running a news blog is terrifying.”

“You don’t think I can do it?”

“I think you can do it too well.” Except instead of celebrity news, he’d probably use it to document his adventures, many of which would land him squarely in the middle of the press’s crosshairs.

I tore off a piece of cupcake, my mind churning. If I had access to my full inheritance…

“If I ask you a question, will you answer truthfully?” I asked.

Xavier glanced at me, then grimaced and paused the movie. “Uh-oh. Nothing good ever comes after that opening.”

“It’s nothing bad,” I reassured him. “I’m just curious. Why do you want your inheritance so badly? It can’t be about just the money.”

At first glance, it seemed obvious why someone would want billions of dollars. But Xavier had his hang-ups about his father’s money, and while he blew through cash the way certain celebrities blew through cocaine, he didn’t strike me as someone who’d sit on that much money simply to have it.

“Why not?” he asked lightly. “Maybe I’m a greedy bastard, plain and simple.”

I merely looked at him without saying anything, and after a long, tense silence, his irreverence dissolved into a sigh.

“I’m giving half of it to charity.”

I almost choked on my cake. That wasn’t what I’d expected.

At all.

“Not that I don’t think giving to charity is admirable, but isn’t that exactly what your father’s will stipulates will happen to the money if you don’t pull off this CEO thing?” I asked.