Lena's POV
"You can't go in there!" I heard Sylvia warn.
I lifted my head from the files I was going through just in time to see Ashley burst into my office like it belonged to her, with Sylvia rushing in behind her.
I raised my hand, silently stopping Sylvia from doing anything further. Knowing Ashley, that was exactly the reaction she wanted.
"What do you want, Ashley?" I asked the moment she came close to my table.
She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she let herself in fully and sat down arrogantly. I pretended not to notice her blatant provocation.
"Evans is willing to concede," she said calmly.
"He'll marry you if you give up the CEO position."
She leaned back, a mocking smile spreading across her face.
"I think he's generous enough to still want to marry you after you've already slept around."
"And if I don't?" I asked.
"Then we'll tell everyone how you got drunk and decided to fool around with a few men. That will be the reason the wedding didn't hold."
"So," I said coldly, "do you have evidence for your claims? Because if you spread nonsense without proof, be prepared to face a lawsuit."
A strange unease settled in my chest.
"Well, who said we don't have evidence?" she burst into laughter. I could swear she looked incredibly ugly at that moment.
"All we're asking is simple," she continued. "Give up the CEO position, marry Evans, and forget about Mr. Black. He's not going to save you. Or do you actually think he loves you?"
She scoffed.
"Rumor has it that Mr. Black changes women every night. He never sleeps with the same woman twice. You're just another plaything. Yes, your wardrobe has changed, but even that won't last."
I didn't know why her words affected me so deeply. Maybe because I knew the nature of my relationship with Raymond, and it wasn't far from what she described. And it hurts.
"What happens to you then?" I asked quietly. "If I remember correctly, you're sleeping with Evans. Are you willing to become a mistress?"
"Y–you, Lena!" she stammered angrily, shooting to her feet.
"Whether I become a mistress or not is none of your business.
The choice is yours to make. Not that it matters, whatever you choose, I'll still win."
With that, she turned dramatically and stormed out of my office, her heels clicking loudly against the floor.
I slumped back in my chair, frustration overwhelming me. How was I supposed to handle this mess? I buried my face in my hands, racking my brain, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find a way out.
I knew their next move would be to attack my
character in front of the board, accusing me of misconduct and an inappropriate lifestyle that could jeopardize the company's reputation and stock value.
And if they truly had evidence, the board could easily force me to step down. It wasn't uncommon for companies to replace CEOs under such circumstances. Evans' track record had always been impeccable, I had personally ensured that.
"Why not ask Mr. Black for help?"
I looked up at Sylvia.
"Why would you suggest that?" I asked irritably. I knew she meant well, and she had been silent since Ashley left, but her words rubbed me the wrong way.
Especially because I remembered refusing Raymond's help that very morning.
"Do you think we can't handle this ourselves?" I snapped.
"Don't get me wrong, Lena," Sylvia said calmly.
"We can. But the board wants solutions, not conflicts. If we go against Evans with this evidence, there's a high chance they won't even investigate properly."
"They'll just assume you're trying to slander him after he exposed your so-called inappropriate lifestyle. But if someone like Mr. Black speaks out, the entire industry will turn against Evans."
She paused before adding, "Do you know who Mr. Black really is? He can overturn stock prices with a single statement."
"Who do you think took down those nasty statements about you online?"
My eyes widened in realization.
No wonder he asked me about it. He already
knew—and he had taken care of it himself. Just how powerful was Mr. Black?
"Was it him?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes," Sylvia replied confidently. "No one else has that kind of power. I almost called you last night to discuss a contingency plan and draft a counterstatement.
But before I could, everything was wiped off the internet. No account is even allowed to repost it."
"I don't know what kind of relationship you have with him, but if he's willing to help you, I suggest you call him. Otherwise, you might lose everything."
"Okay," I said quietly. "I'll call him now."
I picked up my phone and dialed his number.
"Hello, Raymond."
"Hi," he replied smoothly. "How can I help you, Lena?"
"I… I ran into a problem at the company and was hoping you could help me."
"What's in it for me?" he asked.
"Do I need to pay you?" I snapped irritably. He was insufferable.
"Of course, kitten," he chuckled. "My services aren't free. It could've been this morning when I offered, for free."
"What do you want?" I asked, already at my wit's end.
"It's simple," he said. "I want you."
"And you'll be the one taking the lead tonight. I'll be exhausted from helping you, so you'll have to do all the work by yourself."
"If you're tired, then why do we still have to do anything?" I asked, my face flushing with anger.
"If you're not interested," he replied lazily, "you can forget about anyone helping you."
"Fine," I said sulkily. "I accept."
I had no idea how to take control during intimate moments, but I guessed I'd have to learn before nightfall.
"Good," he said triumphantly, chuckling. "Now brief me on the issue and tell me exactly what you want me to do."
How I wished I could wipe that smile off his face.