Page 66 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband
"We need to protect the organization's reputation and ensure compliance with professional standards," Harrison responds coolly. "Which brings me to point four—implementation of an anonymous reporting system for anyone who observes inappropriate behavior."
The room erupts in low conversations and muttered complaints. I can see several players exchanging worried glances, and more than a few are looking pissed off about the surveillance announcement.
"This is bullshit," someone mutters from the back of the room. I think it's one of the rookies, but I can't tell which one.
Harrison's smile turns predatory. "I understand change can be uncomfortable, but these measures are necessary. Professional objectivity cannot be compromised by personal entanglements."
The phrase makes my stomach churn.
"Furthermore," Harrison continues, clicking to another slide, "we've identified current situations that require immediate corrective action. Boundary violations that threaten team cohesion and professional integrity."
Current situations. He might as well just point at me and Dax and save everyone the suspense.
I risk a glance at Dax, who's gripping the edge of the table so hard his knuckles have gone white. If Harrison keeps this up, my secret husband is going to lose his shit and probably throw a chair at someone.
"These new policies will help prevent the kind of scandals that have damaged other organizations," Harrison says, his voice getting more self-righteous with each word. "When staffmembers compromise their professional judgment for personal relationships, everyone suffers."
That's it. I'm done sitting here listening to this asshole lecture us about professional judgment while he builds his case against me.
I stand up, my chair scraping against the floor loud enough to draw every eye in the room. "Mr. Harrison, I have some questions about these new policies."
His expression shifts slightly, but he nods. "Of course, Dr. Bennett."
"First, how do these policies apply equally regardless of gender? Will male staff members face the same scrutiny and consequences as female staff members for personal relationships?"
Several people nod approvingly. It's a fair question, and everyone knows Harrison has a history of being harder on women in the organization.
"Our policies apply to all staff members equally," Harrison replies, but there's an edge to his voice that suggests he doesn't appreciate the implication.
"Second, what safeguards exist to prevent these policies from being used to target specific individuals? How do we ensure that legitimate professional relationships aren't misconstrued as inappropriate based on gender bias or personal vendettas?"
More murmurs of agreement ripple through the room. I can see Martinez nodding, and even some of the players are sitting up straighter, paying attention.
"Our investigation protocols are thorough and unbiased," Harrison says, his smile turning brittle. "We follow evidence, not assumptions."
"And third," I continue, my voice getting stronger, "what appeal processes exist for staff members who feel they're being unfairly targeted? What oversight ensures that policy enforcement doesn't become policy abuse?"
The room goes dead silent. Everyone's looking between Harrison and me like we're in some kind of legal showdown. Which, to be fair, we probably are.
Harrison's facade finally cracks completely. "Dr. Bennett, perhaps you'd be more comfortable discussing specific concerns in private rather than taking up the team's valuable time with hypothetical scenarios."
The dismissive tone in his voice makes something snap inside me.
"I don't think ensuring equal treatment and preventing discrimination are hypothetical scenarios, Mr. Harrison. I think they're fundamental requirements for any fair workplace policy."
"Of course," Harrison replies through gritted teeth. "Perhaps we could schedule a private meeting to discuss your concerns about workplace fairness."
"Actually," Dax's voice cuts through, "I think Dr. Bennett's questions apply to all of us. These policies affect the entire team."
My heart does something complicated when he speaks up. He's not looking at me, maintaining perfect professional distance, but I can hear the support in his voice.
"That's right," Jamie chimes in. "If we're all going to be under surveillance and subjected to anonymous reporting, shouldn't we understand how to protect ourselves from false accusations?"
"Or how to report actual inappropriate behavior without fear of retaliation," Martinez adds, his support clear.
Harrison's face is turning an interesting shade of red. "These questions suggest a fundamental misunderstanding of organizational priorities?—"
"These questions suggest we understand our rights as employees," Dr. Walsh interrupts from across the table. "And frankly, some of these policies feel like overreach."
