"Cameras love a good lie. Just make sure yours looks expensive."

~$~

The morning air inside the Cuss mansion is stuffy. It’s supposed to be spring, but nothing about this family breakfast feels light. The grand dining room shines with polished marble, gold-rimmed teacups, and enough fake smiles to fill a runway.

I'm sitting near the end of the table with my fingers gripping the edge of the chair as Adele flips her hair and launches into another monologue.

“I’ll be in Milan next week,” she purrs as she licks the edge of her spoon like it’s laced with secrets. “They’re flying me in for a limited capsule campaign. Twenty-two...