"How could you be so stupid and selfish? You've undercut everything we've been building with this fake romance! Mr. Ackerman just got his image back. People were finally starting to trust him. Stocks were on the rise!"

Every syllable was a fleck of hot coal striking Karma's skin. But worse than Yelena's reaction was Levi's. Steel-jawed and silent. Unreadable.

Why was this happening? She was trying to save their fake romance, not sabotage it. If people thought she was unfaithful to Levi, she'd be hated for more than just her origins. There was no salvaging this. Karma groaned, grinding her eyes with the heels of her palms. Then she remembered something Wickham had said.

Adalia May is a good friend of mine.

Her head lifted out of her hands. "The bastard set me up," Karma said as the realization struck. "He blackmailed me. He said if I didn't go to dinner with him, he'd leak to the press that our romance was fake. He told me not to tell you. This was his plan all along and I fell for it. I'm so sorry." Her voice dripped with desperation. She needed Levi to believe her. He was finally starting to open up to her. To reciprocate her feelings.

But Levi didn't answer. He just stared at the incriminating picture. The wine glasses. The doting smile directed at Wickham. She wondered if he'd even heard her.

"You being caught with another man is infinitely worse than a press leak. Who cares if they suspect your romance was fake? Without proof, it's just hearsay. But now you've given them proof, Miss Karma." Yelena shoved the newspaper into her bag and dropped into an armchair with an impatient huff. Karma sank into the loveseat. Levi didn't move.

Karma wasn't ready to leave Marble Estates or lose Levi. Everything she did was an attempt to preserve what they had. She cursed Wicked Moron's name, determined to confront him. Just what was he gaining from being seen with her anyway? Was he clinging to her clout to boost his own? Was that why he showed interest in her in the first place? All of those times he'd asked her out to dinner, being caught by the press was his end game. It was always a setup.

Levi sat in the loveseat beside Karma, but there was a platonic distance between them. He finally spoke. "We need a new tactic. Stocks are plummeting. I don't need Steve Bark breaking down my door." Karma cringed at his hostility. She couldn't detect any of the warmth he'd shown her last night.

"I have an idea. Though you may not like it," Yelena said. "A fake proposal would completely overshadow Mr. Moriano's stunt. You've seen the way the public is eating up Jean and Mikasa, and the rumor that Connie is engaged."

Levi's teeth clenched at those names.

"A proposal?" Karma's head whipped between Yelena and Levi, waiting for one of them to refute the ludicrous idea.

Mercifully, Levi shook his head. "The fake romance is done. Even if people forget about this, they'll always doubt Karma's affections. No one would buy it."

Yelena's shoulders stiffened. "Then we'll need to reconvene once this dies down. I'm at a loss for options at the moment." Yelena made to leave.

"Hang on," Karma said. "The night of the movie—the only thing the press focused on other than our fake romance was a Scout reunion."

Dead air. The only sound was Jean scratching his cat tower until Yelena rubbed her temple. "It might be time."

"They'll never agree to it," Levi said, maintaining his hostility. "The second they see my face or hear my voice, they're running. Beardface won't have any luck either."

"Then I could bring them all together," Karma said.

Yelena scoffed through her nose. "It could be any number of individuals. There's nothing special about you. In fact, I'm loath to involve you any further, Miss Karma. You're no longer a caretaker or a fake mistress. We have no more use for you."

"Can it, beardface. It's a better idea than the fake proposal."

"And you're willing to see them again, Mr. Ackerman? Even Jean?"

Levi looked at the cat, jaw flexing. "Maybe we can skip horseface."

Yelena's pale lips bunched. Her eyes narrowed on Karma for a weighty moment.

"Fine. But if this doesn't work, we're going with my plan." She reorganized the papers in her bag. "There is a dinner for the sponsors at the end of the month. That's where the reunion will take place. I'll entrust this task to you, Miss Karma. Get the Scouts to agree. Formal attire."

And with a swish of the door, Yelena left.

In the silence of Yelena's absence, Karma couldn't help but notice the distance between her and Levi's shoulders. It felt like a void. Just last night, they'd been nestled together on the piano bench, crafting music. Sharing a kiss. Now, they stared at the potted succulent on the coffee table like strangers in a waiting room. Until Karma braved the silence.

"Levi, I really am sorry. I swear it meant nothing to me."

"I believe you."

She looked at him. "Really?"

"You did what you thought you had to do. I knew that bastard was sleazy. Hate to admit it, but he was smart to have you keep it secret from me. Though I wish you would've just told me." He finally looked at her. The hard edge to his expression melted like a snowflake in her palm.

"So you're not kicking me out?"

"Why would I kick out the one person I tolerate?"

"You tolerate me. That's high praise coming from you." She dared to scoot closer, until she could feel his sleeve against her arm. He didn't brush her off. "How long have you tolerated me for?" She knew Levi would only talk about his feelings indirectly, and she was glad he picked up on her true meaning.

"Since I kissed you in the movie theater." His hand slid into hers. A simple gesture that spiked Karma's heart rate. "Maybe even before then."

"Well I tolerate you too." Karma thumbed the familiar pale scars between his knuckles. The second she saw that article, she was almost certain she'd lost Levi. The relief in her veins was a cool wash. She felt comfortable enough to pry. "I thought you'd put up more of a fight when I brought up the Scout reunion. It's been taboo for so long."

"We're running out of options. And I guess I still tolerate them."

"I know you do. You always have," Karma said. "What should I expect?"

"Well don't expect a picnic. The second you mention my name, they'll either shut down or flip a table. Connie hates me. Jean loathes me. Mikasa copies whatever Jean does, and Armin copies Mikasa. Reiner might agree though."

"But why do they hate you?"

Levi chewed on this. He chose his words carefully. "I cheated them. All of them."

"And you're making up for it by giving them everything you have, so how could they still be mad?"

"Because I raised them to be stubborn. That's why."

There was more to the story than he was letting on. That much was certain. But she'd probably milked everything she could for the time being. Karma sighed. "Guess I'll start with Connie."

Karma planned on stopping by Connie's and Sage's place after school. She had successfully transferred out of Wickham's class, but despite her determination to stay away from him, she found herself knocking on his office door.

"Ah, Karma." Wickham straightened the sheet music he'd been grading and set it aside. "We missed you in class today. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"You bastard. You know exactly why I'm here."

"This is about Addy's article then." He folded his hands, inviting her to continue.

"What the hell is your problem? I was a good student. Just because I refused to go out with you, you sabotaged our date and ruined my reputation?"

"Have a seat."

"I'm fine here."

"Very well." He straightened his shoulders. "I apologize that your reputation was jeopardized. I assure you, that was not my intent."

"What the hell else were you trying to do to me?"

"It wasn't about you, Karma. It was about your boyfriend."

"He's—" Karma stopped herself. "You were trying to sabotage Levi?"

Wickham didn't refute her. He raised his brows and tightened his lips as if to say, "Yep."

"You were that jealous of him?"

"There may have been some jealousy involved, but mostly revenge."

"Revenge for what?"

Wickham straightened a photo on his desk that Karma hadn't noticed. It was a photo of him with his arm around a pretty, middle-aged woman with fiery hair. Karma balked. That hair. Those eyes. Her throat constricted.

It was the left behind woman. The one she'd killed during The Rumbling.

"The Scouts couldn't save my mother, for one thing," Wickham said, gritting his teeth at the photo. Karma kept her lips sewn shut. The back of her neck was smoldering. "Then there was the arrogant way he flaunted his money at the auction. I was trying to get a concert grand for our school, while he was trying to get a piece of furniture. I congratulated him after the fact and he had the nerve to mispronounce my name—Wicked Moron, if you can believe it. And then he steals the woman who captivated me through music. I bet he doesn't even appreciate your talent."

"He does," Karma said, defensive. "If you even cared a cent about me, you wouldn't have sabotaged our date. And Levi doesn't flaunt his money. He gives it all away. So don't act like you know him."

"He's still the reason my mother died."

"He didn't kill your mother—" Red hair. Red faces. Hot steam. Sunken eyes. "The Titans did. That's who you should blame."

Wickham's shoulders shook with a derisive laugh. "You're so naive, Karma. It's a shame you're so set on him. I had a wonderful evening with you."

"It was tolerable at best." Karma shouldered her tote bag, feeling that familiar picture frame jut against her side. "I hope this is the last time I see you, Wicked Moron. Maybe if you'd been more of a gentleman, we could've been friends."

She left the office before he had a chance to reply, slamming the door between them.

The tram carried her across town. Just like the tram ride to the MSA, no one bothered taking any of the open seats near her. She ignored the whispers shuffling around her, though she still caught the words "tramp" and "slut" from a young couple three seats down.

"Murderer" would be more apt. She was tempted to return to Marble Estates and unpack that with Levi, but it could wait. She had the Scout reunion to focus on.

She arrived at Connie's house, all straight edges and concrete. She'd texted Sage that she would be dropping by, but she never received a response, which was very unusual. As soon as the door opened, she realized why.

"You've got some nerve," Sage said, hands on hips in the doorframe. "Care to explain why you were on a date with Wickham freaking Moriano? And you didn't even bother to tell me?"

Karma did her best to explain the situation. Sage's lips pursed but softened when Karma explained that her feelings for Levi were real, even though the romance had initially been fake.

"Why don't we talk things over a bottle of wine?" Sage said, welcoming her into a living room with leather couches and furry ottomans. Connie, wearing a white t-shirt and dog tag, had already claimed one couch, so Karma sat down on the other. The sound of clinking in the kitchen was followed by Sage returning with a bottle of wine.

She poured three glasses. It smelled zesty and herbaceous.

"Sauvignon Blanc." Sage raised her eyebrows. "The expensive shit."

"I'm honored." Karma took a flavorful swill. It warmed her throat. "Levi and I usually drink tea."

Connie scoffed at Levi's name, but Karma didn't let this bother her. As much as he tried to hide it, she knew Connie missed Levi. And as much as Levi tried to deny it, he missed Connie too. He missed all of his Scouts. The picture in her tote bag was proof.

"So to what do we owe the pleasure, Karma?" Connie said, knee bouncing. He always seemed to be overflowing with energy.

"First of all, congratulations on your engagement." Karma and Sage shared coy smiles. Sage must really love Connie to be willing to keep their love life private for his sake. "And also, I'm here to gather up all the Scouts."

Connie choked on his wine. He coughed out the words, "That's a terrible idea."

"Maybe," Karma conceded, twirling the flute. "But we're out of options. The fake romance blew up in our faces. To raise stocks and keep the shareholders happy, we need to boost public opinion."

"Isn't that what charity events are for?" Connie slung an arm around Sage.

"The Scout reunion would be much more effective. The public is itching for it."

"It's true," Sage said. "Even the stylist at my photoshoot was talking about it."

"It would just be one evening. We'll have a nice, formal dinner and hash things out. Then you can go back to pretending he doesn't exist."

"'Hash things out.' Hilarious." Connie swirled his wine into a mini whirlpool. "If you just need us seen at this dinner, I don't have to actually talk to the bastard, right?"

"Don't you want to?" Karma remembered that Connie had inadvertently put Levi in a wheelchair. She decided to add, "He's walking now."

This piqued Connie's interest—his gaze darted to her—but he quickly masked his expression. "I want to see Levi as much as Levi wants to see me."

"He wants to see you, Connie. He wouldn't have agreed to this otherwise."

"He wants to save his company. That's why he agreed to it."

Karma ground her molars. "Look." She pulled the photo out of her bag. "He loves you. Look how happy you all made him."

"The hell?" Connie took the photo and pulled it to his nose, squinting. "Where'd you get this?"

"Levi had it tucked away in a drawer. He couldn't throw it away himself."

"It's—" Connie blinked away a cloud of emotions. He passed the frame back. "I haven't seen that face for a long time." All of his nervous energy seemed to evaporate. His knee went still.

Karma listed her head. He'd seen Levi at the movies. "So will you come to the reunion?"

"Yeah. I'll go. I'll text Reiner too—he'll be down." He scrunched his lips, staring into his wine. "But there's no way you'll convince anyone else. Especially Jean."

"Seems like Jean is key to getting Mikasa and Armin. Any particular reason he hates Levi more than the rest of you?"

"No, it's the same reason. He just took it a lot more personally." Connie's wine glass was empty. Sage was quiet beside him, a hand on his knee.

"Can you tell me anything about what happened?"

Connie rubbed his neck. "I love breaking rules, but I can't break this one. Sorry."

Though he couldn't help her solve that mystery, he was able to give Karma Jean's and Mikasa's address and gate code. It was midday. Karma felt guilty showing up unannounced, but in this case, it was better to ask forgiveness than permission. A part of her was excited too. To meet the lovely couple all of Marley raved about.

She rapped on the imposing door to a seven-figure house. The front lawns had spherical bushes and lush rose gardens. Levi's money was alive and well. She expected the front door to be opened by a butler, but instead it opened to a tall, handsome man in casual clothes. He had a hint of stubble and near shoulder-length hair brushed behind his ears.

"Yeah?" he said, studying her from the golden braid to the cotton slacks she'd plucked from her designer closet. Under his intense gaze, she couldn't decide if she was over or under dressed.

Karma recognized his face. In the photo she carried with her, there was no manly stubble or ruggedness to his features. He was smiling next to a girl with a ponytail who had crumbs on her cheek. But even without that photo, she recognized Jean Kirstein from all the media coverage.

Horseface. Seeing him in person, she finally understood the joke.

"Hi, um, Jean." Karma did an awkward nod. "I'm Karma, Levi Ackerman's—" She wasn't sure how she planned to end that sentence, but it didn't matter because Jean slammed the door in her face. The reverberation trembled her bones.

For a full minute, she stood there, balking. That was her chance. She blew it. There was no way she'd be invited inside now that Jean knew she was associated with Levi. Damn. She didn't realize how tremendous this rift between them was. Just the sound of Levi's name caused him to slam the door in the face of a total stranger.

On the other side of the door, there was a muffled conversation. Karma tried not to eavesdrop, but she was almost certain the conversation was about her.

"—just because you're an Ackerman."

"Just wait upstairs."

A beat later, and the front door opened again, this time to a beautiful woman. Mikasa Ackerman had long dark hair and almond eyes similar to Sage. Her lips turned up in a polite smile.

"You must be Karma. Come in."

"Um, thank you."

Karma followed Mikasa across the checkerboard marble. The house swelled with the perfume of diffusers and intricate bouquets. Karma wanted to linger in every new scent, but Mikasa's footsteps were crisp and quick. Definitely someone who took care of business. Anxiety moistened Karma's palms. She had no idea how she was going to win Mikasa over.

"Have a seat." Mikasa directed her to a chalk-white, pleather sofa. Karma sat with her ankles crossed, straightening her spine, trying to match Mikasa's sophistication.

"You have a beautiful home," she said. "I'm sorry if I offended Jean—"

"Don't worry about it. He's fine. Why don't I make us some tea."

When Mikasa left, Karma's eyes trailed the room, taking in the porcelain decor and eucalyptus accents. The fireplace before her was electric, running the length of the sofa. On the coffee table was a stack of books, the top one titled, "Big Business: The Dos and Don'ts."

"Here you are." Mikasa handed her a steaming cup. Karma waited for Mikasa to add sugar, then added a spoonful to her own. "So you're Levi's caretaker-turned-mistress."

"Yes and the article today was a big misunderstanding."

"It's alright. I know how the media can be." Mikasa blew steam from her cup. "But I can only assume today's article is the reason you're here. Am I correct?"

Karma reeled back an inch, impressed at Mikasa's astuteness. "Yes. The romance between Levi and I started off fake to help his company. Now that it's been compromised, we're trying to organize a Scout reunion. I still need you, Jean, and Armin."

"I see."

Karma busied herself with a sip. She watched Mikasa over the rim of her cup. Mikasa was definitely an Ackerman because Karma failed to read her.

"I take it Levi never told you what happened between all of us."

"No, he won't say."

"He must like you then." Mikasa offered a smile. "I apologize for Jean's behavior. There's still some bitter feelings there."

"It's alright, I understand. He was cheated—all of you were. At least, that's all Levi's bothered to tell me. I know NDAs were involved."

"Yes, sorry I can't be of more help there."

The conversation lulled. Karma suddenly remembered the picture in her bag. "I know you hate him, but Levi still cares about you. Just like he always has. Here."

She handed Mikasa the picture frame. Mikasa's expression softened. Her lips parted. She set aside her teacup and pulled the picture closer, stroking a finger down the glass in awe like it was a jewelry display box.

"Eren." The longer she stared, the heavier the emotions in her eyes became. Soon, Mikasa's cheeks were shiny with tears. She clutched the picture to her chest. "Where did you get this?"

"It was Levi's." Karma tilted her head. "But why don't you keep it, Mikasa?"

"Can I?" Mikasa studied the picture again. "Armin would love to see this. Jean too." Looking like she'd resolved an internal debate, Mikasa looked up. "Hang on." Mikasa scrambled for a pen and paper and scrawled something. She slid the note under a book and got off the couch saying, "I'll just go ahead and find a place for this picture."

Karma was confused, watching Mikasa leave the room. After a minute or so, she realized that Mikasa was trying to tell her something. With the strange way she was acting, it might have been something secret. Something she wasn't permitted to talk about. Karma pulled the note free. There were two words written in blue ink: Eldian Enterprises.

Eldian Enterprises?

"Thank you for the picture," Mikasa said, snapping Karma from a daze. "I'll get Jean and Armin on board for the reunion. Let me give you my number."