Chapter 6 - Whispers and Betrayal“Well, well,” Vance sneered, his eyes sweeping over Rowan, Bram, and Maris. “How touching. A family reunion in the executive wing.”
Maris immediately stepped forward, her posture turning to ice. “Julian. What are you doing in this department?”
“I’m doing my job as COO,” Vance said smoothly, pulling a printed document from his coat. “I ran a background check on your new ‘Facilities Director.’ Imagine my surprise when I found out he was an unemployed, broke mechanic three days ago, personally appointed by you without board approval.”
Vance turned his gaze toward Rowan, a malicious grin on his face. “Tell me, Mr. Hail... how did a janitorial applicant manage to seduce our CEO into giving him a six-figure executive salary? Are you blackmailing her? Or are you two putting on a little private show after hours?”
Rowan’s jaw clenched, his fist tightening at his side. He stepped in front of Bram, shielding his son from Vance’s toxic presence. “Watch your mouth.”
“Julian, leave this office immediately!” Maris commanded, her voice ringing with lethal authority. “Rowan’s appointment was fully within my executive authority!”
“For now,” Vance snickered. “But I’ve already called an emergency shareholder meeting for Friday morning. I will present this blatant conflict of interest to the board. And when they see that you are using company funds to support your secret boyfriend and his kid, they will vote to strip your executive control of the Harbor Point project.”
Vance smirked, turned on his heel, and walked out down the hallway.
The office was dead quiet.
Rowan turned to Maris, seeing the distress hidden behind her eyes. He knew how important the Harbor Point project was to her legacy.
“Maris,” Rowan said softly, stepping closer. “If my presence here is going to ruin everything you’ve built... I’ll step down. I can go back to maintenance somewhere else.”
Maris turned to him instantly, grabbing his hand tightly, her eyes flashing with fierce determination. “No! Don't you dare say that, Rowan. Julian Vance wants me isolated. He wants me scared. But I am done running from bullies.”
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She looked at him, her voice dropping into a tender whisper. “You stayed by me on Route 1. Stand by me now.”
Rowan looked into her eyes, squeezing her hand in return. “Always.”
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