The morning after the exposé dropped, Maya woke up to chaos.
Her phone was blowing up—texts, emails, social media notifications. Concrete Roses' deep-dive investigation into LuxeGlow Beauty had gone viral, exposing the company's use of exploitative labor practices overseas.
Half of the internet was applauding the piece. The other half? Ready to tear her apart.
LuxeGlow's lawyers had already sent a cease-and-desist letter, claiming the story was defamatory.
Maya's hands shook as she scrolled Twitter.
@BeautyTeaBlog: Concrete Roses really said, "We don't care about your sponsorship dollars," and EXPOSED LuxeGlow?! Whew!
@LuxeGlowPR: The claims in this so-called "investigation" are false. We take ethics seriously. #BoycottConcreteRoses
Her stomach twisted.
Boycott?
Before she could spiral, Zora called.
"You okay?" Zora asked.
Maya exhaled. "I don't know. LuxeGlow's coming for us."
"They're bluffing," Zora said. "They want to scare you into a retraction."
Maya paced her apartment. "What if they sue?"
"Then we fight. But first—are your receipts solid?"
Maya sat at her laptop, pulling up the evidence. Interviews, leaked documents, worker testimonies.
"We did everything right," she said.
"Then stand by it," Zora said firmly. "You built Concrete Roses on truth. Don't back down now."