Page 164 of Game Misconduct
Because of course he is.
His smirk barely hides behind his professionalism. He nods to the board members filing in, most of whom I’ve known for years when I was cutting my teeth on quarterly projections while my father ruled this table with a cigar in one hand and a warning in the other.
Now they look at me like I’m a scandalous burden.
“Maddox Lasker will join us shortly,” Dean says, all casual like he didn’t just listen to my private life get torn apart through a door I never heard open. “Shall we begin?”
I don’t sit. Not yet.
“We’re here to discuss two things,” I say, voice even, crisp. “The leak concerning the Boston incident, and any concerns regarding my relationship with Mr. Lasker.”
There’s a flicker of surprise across a few faces.
Good. Better they hear it from me than let Dean drip it out like poison.
A moment later the door opens quietly, and Maddox walks in.
He’s dressed in a black pullover and slacks, hair still damp from the shower.
I hate the punch to my gut seeing him dressed like he belongs in a boardroom.
He looks damn good. But also different. Almost like I don’t know him.
Maybe I don’t.
Because he doesn’t look at me, doesn’t speak. Just takes the open seat like he’s been called into a post-game review, not into the room full of folks who might cut his legs out from under him.
One of the board members clears his throat. “Mr. Lasker. It’s been brought to our attention that you and Ms. Carrington were—are—engaged in a personal relationship. Is that true?”
Maddox doesn’t blink. “Yes.”
Dean’s mouth twitches like he wants to cheer.
“And is that relationship ongoing?”
A pause. Long enough to make my pulse thud.
Then Maddox says, “No. It’s over.”
It hits me like a slap. I don’t flinch. I don’t move. But every muscle inside me goes rigid.
He won’t even look at me when he says it.
The questions shift to me. Expected. Practiced.
“Did you leak the Boston information, Ms. Carrington?”
“No.” My tone is sharp steel. “The matter was closed legally. I was briefed internally on the incident at the time of acquisition. Only two other members of that legal team had access to the records. None are employed by this organization.”
“Were you aware of the optics of bringing Mr. Lasker onto the team?”
“Yes. Which is why I ensured all internal protocols were followed. His performance speaks for itself.”
Dean leans forward. “Performance doesn’t negate perception. Or distraction.”
“If perception’s enough to override talent,” I say coldly, “we should fire half the roster.”
He doesn’t respond. But the dig lands.
