<h4>Chapter 24: Damage Control</h4>


    Liam’s POV


    As I walked toward the conference room, Every step towards it felt like a march to my own execution.


    My jaw clenched as I neared Amanda’s desk, my mind racing through the chaos of thest few hours. The media frenzy, the whispers in the hallways, the calls I had ignored. I had no time for more problems.


    I noticed Amanda, my usually wellposed secretary, standing rigidly by her desk, hands sped together. A tension I’d never seen before lined her face.


    "Good morning, Amanda," I said, keeping my tone even. "Any messages?"


    She didn’t meet my eyes. Instead, she reached for an envelope on her desk, her fingers trembling as she slid it toward me.


    "Mr. Ashton, I... I have something for you."


    I already knew. Even before I touched the paper, before I unfolded it, my stomach dropped.


    Her resignation letter.


    I nced over the words, my frustration mounting with each line.


    "Amanda, is this really necessary?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice level. "We’ve worked together for years."


    She finally looked up, sadness shadowing her eyes. But there was something else, too—determination.


    "I’m sorry, Mr. Ashton, but yes, it is. I can no longer work in this environment. Myst day will be two weeks from now, as perpany policy."


    I inhaled sharply.


    I wanted to argue. To tell her she was overreacting. That whatever was happening would pass. But the weight of the impending board meeting pressed down on me.


    "We’ll discuss thister," I said, already turning toward my office.


    "There’s nothing to discuss sir," she replied softly. But I was already shutting the door behind me.


    I had barely opened the door when my phone buzzed.


    It was Noah.


    "The board’s assembling in the conference room," he said, his voice tense. "You’d better get up here."


    Taking a deep breath, I straightened my tie and opened the door.


    As I entered the conference room, the conversation died immediately. Every face turned towards me, a mix of disappointment, anger, and concern evident in their expressions.


    "Liam," Mr. Guerrero, the head of the board, greeted me coldly. "Thank you for finally joining us."


    I took my seat at the head of the table, fully aware of Noah’s disapproving gaze from my right.


    "I apologize for the dy," I said, keeping my voice calm. "Shall we begin?"


    Guerrero didn’t waste time with pleasantries.


    "Liam, the situation is getting out of hand. The media storm surrounding your personal life is threatening to destroy everything we’ve built. We need to address this immediately."


    I gave a false nod of regret. "I understand. What do you propose?"


    Guerrero tapped his fingers together, then continued. "First, we need to know exactly what we’re dealing with. Is there any truth to these allegations? Is there anything else that mighte to light?"


    I felt all eyes on me, especially Noah’s. I knew he knew the truth, but I also knew he wouldn’t betray me in front of the board.


    "The allegations are greatly exaggerated," I lied smoothly. "It’s a personal matter that got out of hand. I assure you, there’s nothing else that wille to light."


    A collective sigh of relief seemed to pass through the room, but Noah’s frown deepened.


    "Very well," Guerrero said. "Now, onto damage control. Our PR team has been working around the clock to contain this. Sarah, can you give us an update?"


    Sarah, our head of PR, stood, smoothing her zer.


    "We’ve been sessful in removing most of the scandal from online tforms and news outlets. We’ve issued carefully worded statements disputing the most damaging ims without going into specifics. The media storm is beginning to die down, but we need to remain vignt."


    "Excellent work," Guerrero nodded. "Liam, this brings us to you. The board is unanimous in this: you need to fix your personal issues. Whatever is going on between you and your wife, it needs to be resolved quietly and quickly. We can’t afford another explosion like this."


    I nodded slowly , putting on my best false expression. "I understandpletely. I promise you, I will handle this with the utmost discretion from now on. It won’t happen again."


    Noah shifted in his seat, and I could sense his doubt toward me. But he remained silent.


    The meeting continued, discussing strategies to rebuild our public image and reassure our investors. I yed my part, agreeing to every suggestion, promising to be a model CEO from now on. But inside, I was boiling with anger.


    How dare they try to control my personal life? How dare Diane fight back and cause all this trouble?


    As the meeting drew to a close, Guerrero fixed me with a final, pointed stare.


    "Liam, I hope you understand the gravity of this situation. The board’s patience has its limit. We need you focused on thepany, not caught up in personal scandals. Is that clear?"


    "Crystal clear," I replied, my tone respectful, but my insides burned with resentment.


    As everyone walked out of the room, Noah lingered behind.


    As soon as we were alone, he turned to me, his expression a mix of disappointment and concern.


    "Liam, what are you doing?" he asked quietly. "I know you. I know that everything you just said in there was a lie."


    I felt my mask slip. "You don’t know anything, Noah," I snapped. "This is my life, mypany. I’ll handle it how I see fit."


    Noah shook his head. "This isn’t just about you anymore, Liam. You’re hurting people. You’re hurting Diane, you’re hurting thepany, and you’re hurting yourself."


    For a moment, I felt a sense of doubt. But I quickly shoved it away.


    "I’m doing what needs to be done," I said coldly. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do."


    I brushed past him, ignoring the hurt in his eyes.


    As I walked back to my office, I tried to convince myself that I was in the right, that everyone else just didn’t understand. But deep down, a small voice whispered that maybe, just maybe, I was the one who had lost my way.


    Shaking off these ufortable thoughts, I steeled myself. I had made promises to the board, but they were just words. I had no intention of backing down in my fight against Diane. If anything, this setback only made me more determined to win at any cost.


    As I settled back at my desk, I began to n my next move.


    Let them think I’d given in.


    The game wasn’t over yet.


    I intended to be the one left standing when the dust settled.