Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
My pulse tripped hard. “The executive floor?”
He nodded, his expression tight. “The VP of Sports Programming asked for you specifically.”
My stomach twisted as I whispered, “I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”
“You didn’t.” He lowered his voice. “Just keep your cool. Answer his questions, and you’ll be fine. I already let him know that Camille should be the one to pay for the stunt she pulled last night. Not you.”
A fresh spike of nerves shot through me, but I nodded and crossed the newsroom anyway. In the elevator, my stomach clenched tighter, the mixture of nerves and morning sickness making me nauseous.
The VP’s executive assistant looked up as I approached. “Marissa Crane?”
“Yes.” Even to me, my voice sounded faint.
“He’ll see you now.” She gestured toward the office behind her.
I straightened my blazer and forced myself forward even though every cell in my body begged me to turn around and run. The door was mostly closed. I pushed it open slowly.
The VP of Sports Programming was seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable.
“Thank you for coming.” He gestured to the chair across from him.
It wasn’t as if I had another option, so I pasted on a professional smile.
Mr. Aldridge folded his hands on the desk as I sat. “I’ll get straight to it. Your work overseas was excellent. Truly.”
“Thank you.”
“But we need to get ahead of a few perception issues.”
My stomach tightened, though I kept my expression polished and neutral. “Of course.”
He nodded once, as if appreciating my willingness to engage. “Let’s start with the basics. You disclosed the relationship when it began?”
I was proud that my voice didn’t waver as I answered, “Yes, I informed my immediate supervisor as soon as things became serious.”
“Good.” He checked something on a notepad, then continued, “Does your relationship with Mr. Shaffer impact your ability to report objectively on him or the rest of the Nighthawks organization?”
I shook my head. “No. I approach every interview the same way—focused, fair, and with integrity. My personal life doesn’t interfere with my professional standards.”
He studied me closely, as though evaluating every nuance of my answer. “If we move you onto the football beat, as we’re considering, are we putting you in a position where outside narratives could undermine your credibility?”
I swallowed carefully, hoping he didn’t notice. “I understand the concern, but I’ve dealt with scrutiny before when covering skaters who I’ve competed against in the past. My reporting will stand on its own.”
Mr. Aldridge leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful rather than accusatory. “This isn’t coming from a place of doubt in your talent. You’ve impressed a lot of people here. But the media landscape is volatile. One viral clip can reshape a narrative overnight. We need to know you can weather that.”
“I can.” I clasped my hands in my lap to keep them steady. “I want the assignment, and I’m prepared for whatever comes with it. Even when some of that volatility comes from inside the network, from people who should be on my side instead of trying to create headlines that don’t exist.”
“We’re well aware of where this noise started, and it will be addressed.” His gaze softened slightly, the closest thing to sympathy a VP was probably allowed to show. “But I still need to ask…are we at risk of a conflict-of-interest situation? Anything that might blow back on the network?”
“Absolutely not. Raiden doesn’t expect special treatment. And I—” My voice wavered, just a fraction. “I’ve worked very hard to be where I am. I wouldn’t jeopardize that.”
I felt my throat tightening, heat building behind my eyes as I cursed pregnancy hormones. I forced a small inhale through my nose, trying to steady myself.
Mr. Aldridge noticed. “Marissa, this isn’t a reprimand. We’re evaluating opportunity versus risk. We simply need to ensure—”
He didn’t get the chance to finish before the door opened behind me with a decisive click.
Twisting in my seat to see who interrupted our meeting, everything inside me went still.
Raiden stepped into the room like he’d been invited. He didn’t look angry. Or rushed.
Mr. Aldridge straightened in his seat. “Mr. Shaffer, this is a private HR matter.”
“No, this is a private personal matter that’s been dragged into Marissa’s professional life.” Raiden strode toward us. “One in which I’m the only other person who gets to have an opinion.”
“As true as that might be—”
“You wanted to talk about Marissa’s career.” He moved behind my chair, pausing only long enough to brush a reassuring hand over my shoulder before taking the empty seat beside me. “You deserve the truth from someone who actually knows her.”
His touch grounded me so completely that it almost stole my breath.
“Raiden,” I whispered, panicked and grateful all at once. “You didn’t have to—”
He interlaced our fingers before turning his attention fully to Mr. Aldridge.
“Let me be clear. Marissa never asked for a single favor from me.”