Hardin’s POV
“Listen up, everyone,” I continued, my voice echoing through the silent hall. “For years, I kept to the shadows. I let people talk, and I stayed out of the light because I was trying to protect my family from the vultures.”
I looked down at Mr. Summers. He was shaking his head at Vivian, who was still struggling against the officer holding her back.
Just three days ago, right after Vivian dumped those vile rumors all over the internet, her father had called my private office line with all the audacity in the world.
“Hardin, why don't we strike a bargain?” he had proposed smoothly.
I had stayed completely silent on the line. At that point, the media firestorm was already hammering our share prices, and my board members were panicking in the boardroom. Watching my employees
