Chapter 185
Chapter 190
Madison
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “More competitive than me? I doubt it.” He leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “I’ll have a word with the PR department. This is unacceptable p>
“They’re probably overwhelmed with all the gossip about you,” I suggested, unable to resist the jab.
“That’s literally their job, Madison. To monitor and manage my public image.” He picked up his phone, his jaw tightening. “Send Wilson from PR to my office immediately p>
I shifted my weight, wondering if I should leave. “Should I go back to my desk p>
“No, stay.” His tone left no room for argument. “I want you to see how I handle incompetence p>
I settled into one of the chairs across from his desk, crossing my legs and smoothing my skirt. This promised to be entertaining, at least.
Within minutes, a sharp knock sounded at the door. Alexander called for them to enter, and Wilson hurried in, looking like he’d sprinted up ten flights of stairs.
“Mr. Knight, you wanted to see me?” Wilson adjusted his glasses nervously.
Alexander picked up my phone and held it out. “Care to explain why my PA found this article before our entire PR department did p>
Wilson took the phone, his eyes widening as he scrolled through the photos. “I… I wasn’t aware of this publication, sir p>
“Clearly.” Alexander’s voice could have frozen fire. “My PA’s friend found this before your entire team. A woman found this before professionals I pay six figures to monitor my public image p>
I bit my lip to keep from smiling. Poor Wilson looked like he might pass out.
“This is completely unacceptable,” Alexander continued, his voice dangerously calm. “I want this article removed immediately. I want to know who’s feeding information to these tabloids. And I want legal action taken against whoever published this without verification p>
Wilson nodded frantically. “Yes, sir. I’ll handle it personally p>
“You’re damn right you will.” Alexander took a step closer to Wilson, who visibly shrank back. “This is the second article in recent weeks p>
“We’ll investigate immediately, sir. I promise we’ll find the source p>
“And I want these things caught before they go viral,” Alexander added, gesturing toward my phone.
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“It’s embarrassing that I’m learning about this from outside sources p>
“It won’t happen again, Mr. Knight,” Wilson promised, sweat beading on his forehead. “We’ll implement a more aggressive monitoring system. I’ll have the team working around the clock p>
“Good.” Alexander snatched my phone back and handed it to me. “Consider this your only warning. Next time, you’ll be looking for a new job p>
Wilson paled. “Understood, sir. I’ll take care of this immediately p>
“Dismissed p>
Wilson practically ran from the office, closing the door with a soft click.
The moment he was gone, I couldn’t help but laugh. “That was brutal. I almost felt sorry for him p>
Alexander’s lips twitched. “Almost p>
“Well, he is paid to do exactly what he failed at.” I shrugged. “But still, you were pretty harsh p>
“I don’t tolerate incompetence,” Alexander replied, returning to his desk. “Especially when it affects my reputation p>
I nodded, watching him settle back into his chair. “You need to find out who’s behind all this. These articles, the stock crash, the drugging incident… it feels coordinated. If someone’s targeting you, these gossip pieces might just be the beginning.” I crossed my arms. “What if they escalate p>
Alexander’s expression darkened. “Trust me, I’m well aware of the implications p>
“And p>
“And what?” He raised an eyebrow.
“What are you going to do about it?” I pressed, leaning forward slightly. “Besides terrorizing your PR department p>
A smile played at the corner of his mouth. “Wilson deserved it p>
“Maybe, but scaring him doesn’t solve your problem p>
“Look at you, all concerned for my well-being.” He leaned back in his chair, studying me. “Should I be flattered p>
“I’m concerned about our arrangement. If your reputation takes a serious hit, it could affect mine too p>
“Always the practical one.” He picked up the Vegas property report I’d brought him. “Leo’s tracking down Selena.” 1
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“And you think the same person is behind these articles p>
“It’s possible.” He flipped through the report, his brow furrowing. “Someone’s clearly trying to undermine me. First professionally, now personally p>
“Any idea who p>
Alexander shrugged. “I have enemies. Comes with success p>
“How humble of you p>
He smirked. “Humility is overrated.” His eyes returned to the report, scanning the pages with practiced efficiency. “I hope everything stops soon, but until then, we stay vigilant p>
“We p>
“Yes, we.” He looked up at me. “You’re part of this now, Madison. Keep your eyes open. Let me know if you notice anything suspicious p>
“Like what? More gossip articles p>
“Anything.” His tone turned serious. “Someone’s targeting me, which means they might target people close to me p>
11
The implication hung in the air between us. I was, at least publicly, close to him now.
“Great,” I muttered. “Just what I needed p>
Alexander chuckled, then tapped the report with his pen. “By the way, there’s an error in the financial projections. The revenue estimates are too conservative based on the market analysis p>
I stepped closer, leaning over to see where he was pointing. “I used the figures from the consultant’s
report p>
“The consultant was being cautious.” He made a quick mark on the page. “Revise these numbers. I want a more aggressive projection that aligns with our previous ventures in similar markets p>
“I’ll make these changes right away p>
“Good.” He turned his attention back to his computer. “And Madison p>
I paused at the door. “Yes, Mr. Knight p>
“Dinner tonight. My place. Eight o’clock p>
It wasn’t a question. It never was with him.
“I’ll be there,” I replied, closing the door behind me.
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Back at my desk, I stared at the report, my mind elsewhere. Who would target Alexander like this? And why? The drugging incident could have killed him. Stocks plummeted, with many yet to recover, and only a handful recovered. These articles seemed minor in comparison, but they were clearly part
of a pattern.
Someone wanted to hurt Alexander Knight. The question was: how far were they willing to go?
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Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.