Was the spat between Real Housewives of New York City star Kelly Killoren Bensimon and boyfriend Nicholas Stefanov a publicity stunt? At least one insider close the Bravo reality star thinks so. A spy tells the New York Daily News’ Gatecrasher column that the fight that got Kelly arrested and charged with a third-degree assault charge for allegedly punching Nicholas in the face was nothing more than an elaborate plot to keep the socialite’s contract on the series.

“Some people on the show suspect that Kelly orchestrated the entire situation to better her chances of being asked back next season,” the source spilled at the launch of co-star Bethenny Frankel’s new diet book, Naturally Thin, on Wednesday night.