Hasan clashed with my pleading gaze. His dishevelled hair flung back in place after running a frustrated hand through it. “A statement will lessen the impact this scandal has on Starlight.” Loud and clear for them to hear. “Which is our number one priority.”
“And what if it doesn’t?” Harry rested his elbows on the table as he leaned forward. His eyes surveyed me in disrespect that felt awfully close to my clothes ripping off my body.
Unfortunately, Harry wasn’t remotely ugly. Being bald didn’t take away from it either, considering his lack of hair was a choice rather than the circle of life. “Adelaide left us ina mess and if we don’t figure out what to do about her, Starlight will face the repercussions.”
“She’sin charge.”
“Yes, and she messed up by not protecting her ugly truth.”
In my head, I was telling every single one of them off.
In reality, I was staring at them dumbstruck like I hadn’t a clue what they were saying. I blamed it on sweaty pits and the constant overthinking of assuming they could hear my inner monologues.
Subtle, hesitating beats in my chest fluctuated profusely. The lump in my throat expanded to the size of a baby’s head. “What do you suggest we do, Mr. Samuels?”
“What I suggest thatyoudo,” he started to say. “Is to step down as CEO for the time being.”
My thumb’s nail dug into the index finger's skin. A subtle pinch, long enough to hurt but temporary enough to subside. “How would this help us?”
Hasan’s jaw clenched like he wanted to deck them all in the face.
Securing my position was more important than securing my dignity. If giving away my power meant keeping Eda’s respect, I didn’t have a choice.
My parents had to be looking down at me with disappointment. It was one thing to own a company, it was another to take control of it.
There were six months until the shareholders decided if I was a good fit for Starlight. This scandal fed ammunition into their unused weapons. From all corners, I was trapped. Each gun pointed in my direction.
“Right now, the public sees you as a liability. By stepping down, you’re respecting their view and waiting it out.”
“By stepping down, she’s admitting to it.” Hasan retorted without a second thought. Beneath the table, I kicked his feet to warn him.Not now.
He kicked back harder.Yes, now.
You would think that after he became a dad, he’d be more fun and carefree like he was with his son.But no. He was the overbearing and grumpy older brother I didn’t ask for.
After his wife passed away during childbirth, he completely changed. I watched him go through grief and barely hold on. I missed the boy he used to be, but I’d rather have him as he is now than not having him at all.
Harry’s unnerving gaze shifted its attention back to me. “Do you admit it?”
My heart pounded in my ears.
When I didn’t reply, a diabolical and criminal-like smile etched onto his face like he knew I’d stay quiet. “Well then.”
The springs from Albert’s chair screamed when he leaned back. “Ayeza was a wonderful addition to our company. It’s a shame that because of your actions, we’re losing an intelligent young woman.”
It all happened in slow motion.
Tension climbed my spine.
The board members, other than Hasan, turned to look at the chubby man with indescribable expressions. It was the contortion of the wordsshut upfrom Harry’s mouth that silenced all thought.
Hasan should be the only member who knew Ayeza becausehewas in charge of hiring interns.
“Let’s take a vote, shall we?” Albert choked on the silence with a break in his voice. “All in favour of Adelaide temporarily stepping down as CEO?”
The vote ended with five hands in the air and Harry was officially announced as Interim CEO.
I think they’re involved.
