"With all due respect," Marcus interrupted, "I was just stating what everyone's thinking.
She gets promoted after one day? Come on."
"You're right. Let's examine what everyone's thinking." Adrian pressed a button, and the screens lit up with data. "Miss Carter joined this company three years ago. In that time, she's led twelve major campaigns.
Ten succeeded beyond projections. One broke even. One underperformed but that was the Morrison account, which we now know was lost due to Morrison's bankruptcy, not campaign failure."
The numbers were damning. My numbers.
"She's brought in $8.7 million in new business," Adrian continued. "Her client retention rate is 94%, the highest in the department. She's received written commendations from seven major clients, including Riverside, our largest account."
He pulled up another screen client testimonials. I'd never seen these compiled together.
"'Emma Carter's strategic vision transformed our brand presence,'" Adrian read. "'She's the best marketing director we've ever worked with.' 'I won't work with anyone else at Hartley & Associates.'" He looked at Marcus. "Shall I continue?"
"Anyone can manipulate numbers," Marcus said, but his voice had lost its confidence.
"You're right again. So let's look at your numbers, Marcus." Adrian's smile was predatory. "In the six months you've been Senior Marketing Director, how many campaigns have you led?"
Marcus paled. "That's not"
"Four. All inherited from other directors. Three are behind schedule. One lost the client entirely due to" Adrian consulted his tablet, "'unprofessional communication and missed deadlines.' The client's words, not mine."
"My uncle gave me that position because"
"Because of nepotism. Which is exactly what you've accused Miss Carter of, except her 'connection' is her outstanding work record."
Adrian leaned forward. "You've also been investigated twice for expense report fraud, received three formal complaints about workplace conduct, and were passed over for promotion at your previous company due to performance issues."
The room was dead silent.
"But wait, there's more," Adrian continued, his tone almost conversational. "Last night, you violated company policy by publicly disparaging a colleague on official communication channels. You made defamatory statements without evidence.
And you did it while intoxicated at a public establishment, representing this company."
Gerald cleared his throat. "Adrian, perhaps we should discuss this privately"
"No. Marcus made his accusations public. His accountability should be equally public." Adrian turned to the board. "I'm recommending immediate termination for cause. Violation of conduct policy, defamation, and gross incompetence."
"You can't do this!" Marcus stood, his face red. "My uncle"
"Your uncle is Head of Operations, not CEO. I am." Adrian's voice could have cut glass.
"And I don't tolerate employees who damage this company's reputation or harass my staff."
"This is because of her!" Marcus pointed at me. "She's got you wrapped around her finger! Everyone knows you two"
"Careful," Adrian said softly, dangerously.
"Finish that sentence and I'll add slander to the list. You have zero evidence of any improper relationship. What you have is a bruised ego because a more qualified colleague got the job you thought you deserved."
One of the board members, an older woman named Patricia, spoke up. "Mr. Hartley, while I appreciate your defense of Miss Carter, promoting her on your first day does raise questions about process."
"Valid point." Adrian pulled up another document. "Which is why I also compiled assessments from three independent HR consultants who reviewed Miss Carter's file blind no names, just performance data. All three ranked her in the top 5% of marketing directors they'd reviewed. All three recommended immediate promotion."
He distributed copies around the table. I hadn't known about this. He'd really spent all night building an ironclad case.
"Miss Carter's promotion was based solely on merit," Adrian concluded. "The timing was my decision as CEO to correct a previous oversight. If anyone has concerns about my judgment, we can discuss that separately. But Emma Carter earned her position, and I will not tolerate anyone suggesting otherwise."
Patricia nodded slowly. "The data speaks for itself."
Another board member, James, added, "I've worked with Miss Carter on the Henderson account. She's exceptional. I should have questioned Gerald's decision not to promote her months ago."
Gerald looked like he wanted to disappear into his chair.
"All in favor of terminating Marcus Fleming's employment?" Adrian asked.
Seven hands went up. Only Gerald abstained.
"It's unanimous." Adrian looked at Marcus, no pity in his expression. "Security will escort you out. You'll receive two weeks severance as required by law, but you're barred from company property effective immediately. HR will contact you about your exit process."
Two security guards appeared at the door as if on cue.
Marcus looked at me, hatred burning in his eyes. "This isn't over. You'll regret this."
"Is that a threat?" Adrian asked quietly.
Marcus said nothing, just stormed out, the guards following.
The moment he was gone, the tension in the room eased.
"Miss Carter," Patricia said warmly, "welcome to the executive team officially. I look forward to working with you."
Others echoed the sentiment. Even Gerald managed a reluctant nod.
As the meeting dispersed, Adrian caught my eye. "My office. Please."
I closed his office door behind me, my hands shaking with adrenaline.
"That was…" I couldn't find words.
"Necessary." Adrian loosened his tie, the exhaustion returning. "Marcus made it personal. I made it professional. His own incompetence destroyed him, not me."
"You didn't have to go that far."
"Yes, I did." He turned to face me fully. "Because you're brilliant, Emma. You're talented and driven and you deserve to be here. And I will not let anyone anyone make you feel less than that."
My throat tightened. "Adrian"
"I know what you said. About stopping whatever this is between us. I'll respect that." His jaw clenched. "But don't for one second think that changes how I feel. Don't think I defended you just as your boss."
"Then why did you?"
He crossed to me in three strides, his hands framing my face. "Because from the moment I met you, you've been under my skin.
Because I've built companies and crushed competitors and closed billion-dollar deals, but nothing nothing has ever felt as important as making sure you're okay."
"That's not fair," I whispered.
"I don't play fair. I thought you'd figured that out by now." His thumb brushed my cheek. "I'm a bad boss, Emma. I want things I shouldn't want. I make decisions that blur every professional line. And I don't care."
"You should care. We both should."
"Tell me you don't want this. Look me in the eye and tell me last night meant nothing. That Friday night meant nothing. Tell me you don't think about my hands on you, my mouth on yours." His voice dropped. "Tell me, and I'll walk away. I'll be nothing but professional from this moment on."
My heart hammered against my ribs. Every logical part of my brain screamed to end this, to protect my career, to maintain boundaries.
But my heart my traitorous, foolish heart wanted him more than anything.
"I can't," I admitted. "I can't tell you that."
His smile was slow, devastating. "Then we have a problem, Miss Carter."
"A big problem," I agreed.
"So what do we do about it?"
I thought about Marcus's accusations, the board meeting, the risk we were taking. Then I thought about Adrian spending all night defending me, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in his world.
"We're careful," I said finally. "No public displays. No favoritism. I prove myself through my work, not through you."
"Agreed."
"And if this blows up, if it ruins my career"
"It won't. I won't let it." His forehead touched mine. "But Emma, I need you to understand something. I'm not good at casual. I'm not good at half-measures. If we do this, if we really do this…"
"What?"
"I'm all in. Completely. And I play to win."
A shiver ran through me. "That sounds like a threat and a promise."
"It's both." His lips brushed mine, feather-light. "So what's it going to be? Safe and professional? Or dangerous and real?"
I knew what I should choose. I knew what the smart decision was.
I kissed him anyway.
His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as the kiss deepened, and I knew we both knew that we'd just crossed a line we could never uncross.
When we finally broke apart, Adrian's smile was pure satisfaction. "For the record, I knew you'd choose dangerous."
"Shut up and kiss me again."
He did.
And somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this would either be the best decision I'd ever made or the one that destroyed everything.
But right now, with Adrian's hands in my hair and his heart beating against mine, I didn't care.
Let the world think I was his weakness.
They had no idea he was mine.