Page 56 of Worship Him

"Is it true you're covering up illegal activities within your company?"

Their questions blur together, a dizzying assault on my senses. The scent of instant coffee and desperation wafts from the crowd.

I feel my control slipping, anger bubbling to the surface.

"Mr. Ryder, come on, just a quick statement!"

I whirl around, fixing them with a steely glare. The crowd falls silent, cameras still clicking away.

"I'm not condoning this type of behavior," I spit out, my voice low and dangerous. I glare at the crowd of so-called journalists and the spattering of paparazzi.

God, I hate these fuckers.

Without waiting for their reaction, I turn on my heel and push through the doors, leaving the stunned reporters in my wake. I can hear them talking to each other, like gossiping mothers at a school soccer match. Pathetic worms.

Loosening my tie as I enter my office, I press the intercom on the table, ordering fresh coffee from Claire.

She hurries into the room with a steaming cup and a blueberry bagel, my favorite.

"Thanks."

She nods. "Your meeting with the board of directors is in about five minutes. Most of them are already waiting in the conference room."

I sigh softly. Great. Another headache-inducing situation to deal with. "Good. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Let’s make them wait a bit."

She returns my smile and hurries out of the office, no doubt to take care of countless more tasks that make my day easier. I’m glad I hired her, she’s a reliable assistant.

After enjoying the coffee and meal, I wash up and return to my office to go over the notes I’ve prepared for the meeting. I make some adjustments—they’re probably aware of the horde of camera-holding twats at the entrance and want to discuss that as well.

How boring.

A quick message to my head of security to sort out that situation and I decide I should probably go to the meeting.

I enter the conference room, making sure to look every bit the part of a capable CEO—which I am—as I take my seat at the head of the table.

The board members are seated, their faces a mix of concern and curiosity. I can practically smell their anxiety and it’s nauseating. Their weakness and uncertainty makes my skin crawl.

"Right," I say, leaning back in my chair. "Let's get this over with."

Steven, one of the older board members, clears his throat. "Adam, we need to address the biggest elephant in the room. These rumors?—"

"Are just that," I cut him off. "Rumors. Nothing more."

"But the press outside—" another board member chimes in.

I hold up a hand, silencing him. "I'm handling it. My PR team is on it as we speak."

The room falls silent for a moment. I can see the doubt in their eyes, the questions they're too afraid to ask.

"With all due respect, Adam," Marcus leans forward, "we've worked hard to rebuild our reputation over the past year. We can't afford another scandal."

I lock eyes with him, my jaw clenching. "You think I don't know that? Everything I've done has been to protect this company."

"And the rumors about your personal life?" Steven asks, his voice hesitant. "The... child?"

My hands ball into fists under the table. "My personal life is just that. Personal. It has no bearing on this company or its operations."

The room erupts into murmurs. I can feel their confidence in me wavering, and it sets my teeth on edge.

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