Chapter 9 Sacrificial Lamb
1064 Words
Logan’s company, Wilde Enterprises, occupied the prestigious Skye Tower, an architectural masterpiece that loomed over the city skyline.
The president’s office, located on the eighty-eighth floor, boasted luxurious French windows offering panoramic views.
Standing in front of these windows was Logan Wilde himself, radiating an untouchable aura that sent shivers down the spines of anyone who crossed his path.
Terence Baird, Logan’s most trusted assistant, stood before the desk, a look of remorse etched on his face.
He knew he had let his guard down, failing in his duty to protect Logan’s image from the media onslaught.
‘I apologise, sir,’ Terence said, his voice laced with regret. ‘I underestimated the audacity of BuzzBeat. I never thought they would dare to publish something that could tarnish your reputation.’
Logan’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the article displayed on the tablet in front of him.
The headline screamed sensationalism, and the words beneath it threatened to unravel everything he had worked so hard to build.
With a dismissive flick of his hand, he tossed the tablet back onto his desk, frustration emanating from his every pore.
‘You should have been more vigilant, Terence,’ Logan said. ‘I trusted you to keep tabs on the media, especially the tabloids. It seems I’d overestimated your diligence.’
He added after a pause, ‘And I’ve also underestimated this Alessia Jansen.’
Terence’s confusion was evident. ‘But, sir, the article is attributed to Lara Morris, a senior reporter at BuzzBeat.’
Logan leaned back in his chair, his expression a blend of annoyance and self-reproach. ‘Alessia Jansen is the woman who took those compromising photos. I should have anticipated that she would have backup copies.’
But in the chaos of their encounter at the hotel lounge last night, he was too distracted by her scent and his own reaction to her.
Logan’s jaw tightened as he thought of Alessia.
The woman manipulated the situation, taking advantage of his momentary lapse in judgment.
And now, he was left to deal with the consequences.
***
Alessia stormed into Lara Morris’s office, her eyes burning with frustration.
‘Why is the article under your name, Lara?’ Alessia questioned, her tone firm and accusatory. ‘I’m the one who took the photos and wrote the initial draft. We worked on the revisions together until late last night.’
And then Lara sent her home, saying her son probably needed her.
Alessia had been grateful.
But now she realised her gratitude was misplaced.
Lara leaned back in her chair, her expression cool and calculated.
‘Alessia, you’re not officially on the staff yet,’ she replied, her voice tinged with condescension. ‘It’s only natural that my name was used.’
Alessia’s eyes narrowed as she clenched her fists.
She knew Lara was playing games, using her position to take credit for Alessia’s hard work.
This wasn’t the first time Lara had taken advantage of their working relationship.
Alessia refused to back down. ‘This isn’t fair, Lara. I deserve recognition for my efforts. I won’t let you diminish my contributions.’
Lara smirked, a self-assured glint in her eyes.
‘Listen, Alessia, if you go along with this, I can talk to the chief editor about offering you a full-time position,’ she offered, her voice dripping with false generosity. ‘A generous contract, a chance to establish yourself in the industry. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?’
Alessia hesitated for a moment, weighing the tempting offer.
This could be her ticket to securing a stable job and making a name for herself.
But deep down, she knew that compromising her integrity wasn’t the path she wanted to take.
Before Alessia could respond, her phone buzzed with an urgent notification
It was a summons to the chief editor’s office.
Her heart raced with anticipation and nervousness.
Could this be her chance to set things right?
Taking a deep breath, Alessia squared her shoulders and strode out of Lara’s office, determined to face the chief editor head-on.
The chief editor’s office, the largest one on the entire floor, was adorned with sleek furniture and framed accolades lining the walls.
Alessia knocked and waited for a reply before walking in.
Jeramy Chavez’s displeased expression confirmed her suspicions.
She was on thin ice, her probation period nearing its end, and her lack of ‘buzzworthy’ articles hung heavily in the air.
Jeramy wasted no time in reminding her of her shortcomings, his voice laced with frustration. ‘Alessia, your probation period is almost up, and we haven’t seen the impact we expected. Where are the headlines that will make waves?’
Alessia’s eyes darted around the room, searching for a lifeline.
She pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation. ‘Please, Mr Chavez, just give me one more chance. I know I can deliver a headline that will captivate our readers.’
Jeramy gestured towards BuzzBeat’s website, where Lara Morris’s article on the A-list actress and the city’s wealthiest billionaire CEO dominated the page, garnering attention and boosting sales.
He made it clear that Alessia should learn from Lara’s success.
‘I’ll try harder,’ Alessia said. ‘I promise.’
Jeramy’s gaze shifted towards the closed office door, a wicked smile forming on his lips as he shamelessly appraised Alessia’s youthful appearance and alluring figure.
His words oozed with an unsettling suggestion. ‘You know, Alessia, maybe there’s another way for you to secure a full-time position at BuzzBeat.’
Alessia’s disgust welled up within her, her young spirit recoiling from the lecherous implications.
She stood her ground, determined not to succumb to his advances.
Jeramy’s age, at least fifty, made him old enough to be her father, his thinning hair adding years to his appearance.
She fought to maintain her composure, pretending ignorance of his insinuation.
Impatience tinged Jeramy’s voice as he pushed the boundaries further. ‘Come on, Alessia. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it. Let’s discuss it over dinner.’
Alessia’s stomach churned with revulsion, her thoughts racing.
Resignation seemed like the only viable option, an escape from this compromising situation.
Just as she was about to decline, a knock on the door shattered the tension.
Lara entered the room, her presence a welcome interruption to Jeramy’s advances.
The man scowled. ‘What are you doing here, Lara? This is a private conversation.’
Unfazed, Lara stated coolly, ‘Sorry to interrupt, but I think Alessia deserves some credit here.’
- Writer
