Page 57 of Worship Him

Everything I've built, everything I've worked for, is hanging by a thread.

"Enough," I growl, slamming my hand on the table. The room falls silent again, this time with a lot more tension in the air. "I've steered this company through worse storms. This is nothing more than a blip on the radar. I suggest you all focus on your jobs and leave the PR and worrying about rumors to me."

Their silence is pleasing, letting me know that none of them have the courage to argue with me. Good. They may be the board of directors, but they know their places. As they should

I stand up, buttoning my jacket. "Now, if there's nothing else, I have actual work to do."

As I walk out, I can hear them whispering behind me.

The doubt in their eyes grates on my nerves. I've spent the last year rebuilding everything, and now it's all threatening to crumble. The press trying to dig into that dead heap of bullshit about the ‘scandal’ again isn’t helping either. Idiots.

I walk back into my office, my footsteps echoing off the polished floors. The way the directors looked at each other as if they were unsure of my capabilities is frustrating, but I refuseto let it show. They're underestimating me, and that's a mistake they’ll realize soon enough.

My hand reaches for the crystal decanter on the sidebar. The amber liquid splashes into the glass, its rich aroma filling the air. I glance at my watch. It's early, sure, but fuck it.

The first sip burns a path down my throat, smooth and satisfying. I savor the taste, letting it ground me as I settle into my chair.

"Mr. Ryder," my assistant's voice crackles through the intercom. "Your 11 o'clock is on her way."

"Got it," I reply, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.

I lean back, fingers drumming on the armrest. The whiskey's warmth spreads through me, steadying my nerves.

Those bastards on the board think they've got me cornered? They've got another thing coming.

I'll weather this storm like I always do, and I'll come out stronger for it.

Let them doubt. Let them whisper. I'll show them all why I'm the one sitting in this chair, why I'm the one who built this empire from the ground up.

I set the glass down and pull up the latest financial reports on my computer. Despite the complications, things are starting to look up. Profits are rising and investor confidence is returning to its previous mark.

A smirk tugs at my lips. They think they can take this from me? Let them try.

I take another sip of whiskey, the taste of victory already on my tongue. Things might be rocky now, but I've weathered worse storms.

And I always come out on top.

22

DESTINY

Iscroll through my phone, Avery nestled against my chest, when a headline catches my eye. My heart stops. There, splashed across the screen, are photos of me and Avery at the airport. I blink, hoping it's a mistake, but the images remain.

"What the hell?" I mutter, careful not to wake Avery.

My fingers tremble as I tap the article. It's everywhere - every major celeb news outlet seems to be running the story. Our private life, laid bare for the world to see.

And then I see it. Adam's words, quoted in bold: "I'm not condoning this type of behavior."

The phone slips from my hand, clattering to the floor. Avery stirs, and I instinctively tighten my hold on her.

"Shh, little one," I whisper, but my voice cracks.

I can't believe it. After everything we've been through, after that night... how could he say that? The betrayal cuts deep, twisting in my gut like a knife.

What exactly does he mean by that anyway? What did I do wrong?

My phone buzzes on the floor. It's probably my parents, or maybe Barrett or my assistant. But what if it's Adam? I'm not ready to face him, not after this.

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