Boardroom and Heartbeats

Allegations and Defenses

Lena couldn’t sleep that night. The article Nolan had sent her replayed in her mind like a broken record, every line sharpening the blade of doubt that threatened to pierce her resolve. She knew the tech blog wasn’t the most reliable source, but the allegations it presented were damning.

Was Donovan really capable of the things it claimed? Workplace harassment? Blackmail? It didn’t align with the man she’d come to know, but then again, there was so much about him that remained a mystery.

By the time the sun rose, she’d made her decision. She needed answers—from Donovan himself.

A Confrontation in the Office

Donovan was already in his office when Lena arrived. He was standing by the windows, staring out at the city skyline, his hands tucked into his pockets. The tension in his posture was evident, and Lena hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.

“Donovan,” she said, her voice firmer than she felt.

He turned, his expression sharp. “Lena. What is it?”

She closed the door behind her and took a deep breath. “I need to ask you something.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. “Go on.”

She held up her phone, the article still open on the screen. “This.”

Donovan’s jaw tightened as he crossed the room, taking the phone from her hands. His eyes scanned the article, his expression growing darker with each word.

“Where did you get this?” he asked, his voice cold.

“A source,” Lena said, crossing her arms. “Someone I trust.”

Donovan looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. “And do you believe it?”

Lena hesitated, her chest tightening. “I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you.”

For a moment, Donovan said nothing. Then he set the phone down on his desk, leaning against it as he ran a hand through his hair.

“It’s all lies,” he said finally, his voice low but steady. “Michael’s behind this, no question. He’s throwing everything he can at me, hoping something will stick.”

“What about the harassment claims?” Lena pressed, her voice softening. “The blackmail?”

Donovan’s eyes flashed with anger, though she could tell it wasn’t directed at her. “I don’t run my company that way, Lena. I’ve built Steele Innovations on integrity. But Michael doesn’t care about the truth—he cares about winning.”

Lena’s throat tightened, the sincerity in his voice cutting through her doubt. “Then why don’t you fight back? Go public with your side of the story?”

“Because I don’t play his game,” Donovan said, straightening. “He thrives on chaos. The more I respond, the more ammunition he has. But believe me, Lena—I’ll end this. On my terms.”

A Moment of Vulnerability

Lena stared at him, her emotions swirling in a chaotic storm. She wanted to believe him—needed to believe him. But the weight of the situation was suffocating.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked quietly. “About Michael? About the history between you two?”

Donovan sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “Because it’s not your fight. You’ve already risked enough just being here.”

“That’s not for you to decide,” Lena said, her voice trembling. “I’m in this, Donovan. Whether you like it or not.”

His gaze softened, something raw and unguarded flickering in his eyes. “You shouldn’t have to be.”

Lena took a step closer, her heart pounding. “But I am.”

For a moment, the space between them felt electric. Donovan’s eyes searched hers, as if he were looking for something—trust, reassurance, maybe even forgiveness.

“Lena,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

The knock on the door shattered the moment.

“Mr. Steele,” Amelia’s voice called through the door. “The board meeting is about to start.”

Donovan straightened, the mask of professionalism snapping back into place. “I’ll be right there.”

Lena stepped back, her chest tightening as she tried to steady her breathing. “We’ll figure this out,” she said, her voice firm.

Donovan nodded, his expression unreadable. “We will.”

The Board Meeting Bombshell

The boardroom was tense as Lena took her usual seat near the corner of the table, her tablet ready. Donovan entered moments later, his commanding presence immediately silencing the murmured conversations.

“Thank you all for being here,” he said, his tone brisk. “Let’s get started.”

The meeting proceeded smoothly at first, with discussions about quarterly projections and upcoming product launches. But halfway through, one of the board members—a silver-haired man named Richard Keller—cleared his throat.

“Mr. Steele,” Richard began, his tone measured. “There’s a matter I believe we need to address.”

Donovan’s gaze flicked to Richard, his expression cool. “Go on.”

Richard slid a printed copy of the article across the table. “This. It’s making waves in the industry. Our investors are concerned, and frankly, so are we.”

The tension in the room was palpable as Donovan picked up the article, his jaw tightening as he scanned the text.

“This is baseless,” Donovan said, his voice sharp. “A smear campaign orchestrated by Michael Grant. Nothing more.”

“Be that as it may,” Richard said, leaning forward, “the optics are damaging. If we don’t address this publicly, we risk losing the trust of our clients and shareholders.”

“I won’t validate lies with a response,” Donovan said firmly.

“Then what do you propose we do?” Richard pressed.

Donovan’s gaze hardened. “We focus on what we do best: delivering results. Michael Grant wants us to panic. I won’t give him the satisfaction.”

The board members exchanged uneasy glances, but none of them argued further.

A Private Conversation

After the meeting, Lena waited for Donovan outside the boardroom. When he emerged, his expression was tight with frustration.

“You handled that well,” Lena said carefully.

Donovan’s lips twitched in what might have been a bitter smile. “Did I? Half of them look like they’re ready to jump ship.”

“They’ll come around,” Lena said, her voice steady. “Once we prove Michael wrong.”

Donovan glanced at her, his gaze softening. “You have a lot of faith in me.”

Lena’s heart skipped a beat. “I’ve seen what you’re capable of. That’s enough for me.”

For a moment, Donovan just looked at her, his eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite name. Then he nodded, his expression firm.

“Let’s get back to work,” he said.

As they walked back to his office, Lena couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a storm. But for the first time, she felt ready to face it—together.