PART 5:

I’m asking you to trust I can handle pressure without breaking. They hadn’t named what was developing the calls that lasted too long. Victoria’s weekend visits to Aurora. Lily asking when Miss Victoria would come again. Okay, Victoria said finally. But if Lily is endangered, I’m ending this regardless of what you want. Agreed.

Ethan sat in his dark living room afterward, wondering what he’d gotten into. This wasn’t fiction, where class differences melted away. This was real life, where power had teeth. But he’d survived his wife’s death, grinding poverty, 3 years of night shifts, and single parenthood. He’d learned survival wasn’t about avoiding pressure.

It was about deciding what you wouldn’t bend on. And he wouldn’t bend on this. Victoria deserved to choose who she spent time with regardless of her father’s opinion. The photo appeared in a business gossip blog 6 weeks after the incident. Victoria and Ethan in a parking lot during light snowfall. Victoria laughing, his hand on her arm, casual, friendly.

But the caption suggested otherwise. Hailgroup CEO’s secret romance. Mystery man identified as building maintenance worker. The story spread quickly. By afternoon, major business sites picked it up. By evening, it was trending. By morning, photographers camped outside Ethan’s house. Lily was frightened.

Daddy, why are those people taking pictures? They’re confused. It’ll pass. But it didn’t. Journalists dug into Ethan’s background, his late wife, financial struggles, night shift job. They framed him as either gold digger or workingclass hero. Neither was true, Victoria called, voice tense. The board is calling an emergency meeting.

They’re concerned about company image. My father is furious at the media attention. What do you want to do? Tell the truth. Explain what happened. That won’t satisfy them. Man helps woman during storm. They become friends. Where’s the drama? So, we let them create false narratives. We live our lives and let the narratives collapse from lack of substance.

That afternoon, Ethan’s supervisor called. We’re putting you on administrative leave. Paid for now. Until this resolves, it’s better if you’re not in the building. Translation: You’re an embarrassment. That evening, Victoria showed up through the back alley to avoid photographers. She looked exhausted, hair escaping its arrangement. I’m ending this.

I’m holding a press conference explaining everything. Making it clear anyone who harasses you or Lily will face legal consequences. That’ll add fuel to the fire. I don’t care. This is my fault. Ethan made tea, sat across from her. It’s not your fault. Neither of us could have predicted this, but I can end it. Step back.

Make it clear we’re not involved romantically. Is that what you want to step back? Victoria met his eyes. No. Coming here talking with you and Lily. Being somewhere that doesn’t require performance or constant vigilance. I don’t want to lose that. Then we don’t step back. We hold steady. The board might force me out. Then they do.

and you’ll figure out what comes next. You’re very calm. I’m not calm. I’m furious. Scared for Lily. Worried about money and jobs and reputation damage. Ethan took her hand. But I’m not letting fear make my decisions. I helped you because it was right. We’ve become friends because we value what we found. That doesn’t change because of cameras and gossip. Victoria’s eyes glistened.

My father warned me. He said, “Ordinary people don’t understand the cost of being associated with us. Maybe he’s wrong. Maybe the cost is worth it. Is it honestly?” Ethan thought about the disruption, Lily’s confusion, the uncertain future, then about Victoria laughing at his table, listening to Lily’s projects, being herself without performance. Yes, it is.

The next morning, Richard Hail called an emergency board meeting. Media speculated wildly. Victoria forced to resign. Strategic pivot to distract from scandal. No one predicted what actually happened. The Hail Group boardroom occupied the entire 79th floor. 16 executives sat around a glass conference table, their faces carefully neutral.

Victoria stood at the head of the table presenting quarterly earnings as if nothing unusual was happening. Richard Hail sat at the opposite end watching. After Victoria finished her presentation, board member Marcus Whitfield, a man who’d been angling to replace Victoria for years, cleared his throat. Before we move to the next agenda item, I think we need to address the elephant in the room.

And what elephant would that be, Marcus? The media attention surrounding your personal life. It’s affecting company image. Our stock dropped two points yesterday. Major clients are asking questions. Are they asking questions about our business practices or about tabloid gossip? Both are relevant when you’re the face of this company.

Richard Hail hadn’t spoken yet. He simply watched, his expression unreadable. Another board member, Patricia Chen, no relation to Mrs. Chen, spoke up. Victoria, we’re not trying to control your personal life, but when that life becomes a liability to shareholder value, we have a responsibility to address it.

What are you proposing? A public statement, distancing yourself from this man, a focus on business. Perhaps a sbatical to let things cool down. In other words, you want me to publicly humiliate someone who did nothing wrong, pretend that genuine human connection is a mistake, and hide from my own company until you all decide it’s safe for me to return.

The silence that followed was heavy. Richard Hail finally spoke. “Victoria, step outside. I’d like to speak with the board privately.” Victoria’s jaw tightened, but she nodded and left the room. For 10 minutes, she stood in the corridor outside, staring at the Chicago skyline through the windows. Snow had started falling again, lighter than that night 6 weeks ago.

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