ORION.
The morning sunlight filtered softly through the windows of my office, casting a warm glow that felt almost ironic given the chaos swirling around me. Today was supposed to be a day of clarity, a chance to finally put the rumors to rest. But as I sat behind my desk, I couldn't shake that gnawing feeling—like a storm just waiting to break loose again.
Harro's advice had been simple. 'Hold a press conference. Set the record straight. Explain that the malicious rumors about my company were just an attempt at sabotage, that the authorities were investigating, and that I was committed to transparency.' It sounded simple enough in theory. In practice? Well, it was a different story.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. My hands trembled slightly as I prepared my notes. I didn't want to come off defensive, but I also knew I had to be firm. This was about protecting my reputation, my company, and the people who believed in me.The press conference was scheduled for noon. I stepped onto the podium, facing a sea of flashing cameras and reporters eager for answers. My voice was steady, my tone controlled, as I explained what had happened.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining me today," I began, voice steady but tinged with underlying tension. "I want to address the malicious rumors currently circulating about my company. These false allegations are nothing more than an attempt to sabotage our reputation and distract us from the real issues at hand. Rest assured, the proper authorities are investigating this matter thoroughly, and we will not be deterred by these tactics."
I paused, trying to keep my voice firm despite the whirlwind of emotions inside. I looked directly into their cameras, as if speaking to each person out there who might be listening. "We have always prioritized transparency, integrity, and hard work. I am confident that truth will prevail, and I ask for your patience and trust during this difficult time."
The crowd listened attentively, some journalists scribbling notes, others nodding. They asked some questions which I answered all and I was done. I felt a flicker of relief as the crowd's energy seemed to shift, the tension easing. For a moment, it seemed like the storm was passing. But then, as I stepped down from the podium, the world decided to throw me another curveball.
The tabloids. They never let up, do they? No sooner had I begun to breathe again, a new headline appeared, "Stone Pharmaceuticals CEO's Secret Affair: Caught Pants Down with Another Man, Calls Off Engagement with a Super Model." The words hit like a punch to the gut. My heart sank. The headline was a betrayal of everything I was trying to protect.
The articles didn't have pictures but the damage was done. That's all anyone was talking about now. Not the new drug, not the company's future—just me. The headlines were everywhere, relentless in their judgment. The world was painting me as a villain—an unfaithful partner, a horrible person, a cheater. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of gossip and lies.
My phone rang again—first Athena, then Azalea. Both of them were frantic, asking if there was anything they could do to help. Harro's call came shortly after, his voice calm but urgent. He suggested issuing a joint statement to clear things up, to tell the truth once and for all. But I hesitated.
No. That would only give the perpetrators more ammunition. If we reacted, it would look like we were trying to hide something, and the public might think I was just trying to repair my reputation. Besides, the truth was complicated enough without airing it all out in public. I understood Harro's point, but I knew deep down that revealing everything now wouldn't help. The people who mattered—the ones who truly cared—knew the truth. My inner circle, Athena, Azalea, my close friends—they all knew. That was enough for me.
But my employees—my team—were still in the dark. This was the hardest part. I couldn't let them be blindsided by the lies. So, I gathered them in the conference room, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me.
I looked into their eyes, took a deep breath, and decided to speak honestly. "Yes, I am dating a man," I said plainly. "No, that's not why I called off my engagement with Athena. And no, I will not be holding a press conference to talk about my personal life, because that's exactly what the enemies want. They want to distract us, divide us, and make us question everything."
I paused, feeling the vulnerability in my voice. "I won't apologize for falling in love. Love is love. But I do want to apologize for not managing my private life better—something I take responsibility for. I understand if this changes opinions, and if anyone feels they want to leave, I won't hold it against them. But I want to be clear: I love my work, I love this company, and I love the people here. Nothing changes that."
There was a moment of silence, then one by one, my team nodded, some even smiling. They appreciated the honesty, I could tell. I urged them to get back to their work, to focus on what we do best. "We'll face these issues head-on, and we'll come out stronger. I promise to handle this swiftly and with integrity. Our work remains our priority."
As I watched them disperse, I felt a mix of relief and resolve. The storm was far from over, but I knew I had taken the first step. Facing the truth, owning it—no matter how difficult—was the only way forward. And in my heart, I reaffirmed my commitment: to my company, my loved ones, and most importantly, to myself. Because at the end of the day, authenticity wasn't just a virtue—it was my strength.