Chapter 6
This drama was way more engaging than any year-end review.
I said, "Besides, as the incoming Director of Strategic Development, asking questions of my Chairman and CEO is just part of the job, isn't it?"
I used the most formal corporate jargon possible, backing him into a corner step by step.
Finn's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He couldn't hide his fury, but underneath it all, he was powerless.
He knew I came prepared, and he knew whatever he said right now would be wrong.
He was the one in the wrong.
"Lydia, please. Let's talk about this at home," he pleaded, trying to play the husband card.
It was a little too late for that.
"Home?" I let out a cold laugh. "Are you implying that we can't acknowledge each other as husband and wife here in the office?"
I ripped his lies to shreds.
Finn's facade completely crumbled.
He was shaking slightly, consumed by rage and humiliation.
"Don't push your luck," he growled under his breath.
Beside him, Selena finally snapped out of her trance.
She timidly tugged at Finn's sleeve.
"Finn... maybe I should leave?" she whimpered, looking like a kicked puppy.
Finn looked at her. There was pity in his eyes, but mostly anxiety.
He knew that if she stepped down now, it would practically cement her status as the "other woman."
But if she stayed up here, there was no telling how much worse this trainwreck would get.
I watched them share that silent, sickeningly sweet look of understanding.
My heart turned to ice.
You brought this on yourself, Finn.
You tore our marriage apart with your own bare hands, and you turned me into the ruthless woman standing before you today.
"No need to run off, Miss Vance," I said, cutting her off. "As our new Executive VP, you should pull up a chair.
"You'll want to hear how Mr. Grayson explains this."
My voice was terrifyingly calm, but every word carried absolute authority.
Selena stiffened.
The look she gave me was no longer just panicked and jealous; she was terrified.
She finally understood. I wasn't here to throw a tantrum.
I was here to burn it all down to the ground.
And she was on my hit list.
Caught between the two of us, Finn looked at me, then at Selena, before locking eyes with me again.
Absolute despair filled his gaze.
He knew there was no walking away from this.
The silence in the hall was suffocating.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the next act of the drama to unfold.
Finn's face flushed a violent shade of red before going pale.
He looked at me, looked at Selena, and then at the sea of expectant faces below.
Finally, he took a deep breath, like he was trying to suppress an erupting volcano, and slowly raised his microphone.
He cleared his throat, his voice sounding raspy. "Colleagues of Crestwood Group."
His voice echoed through the massive speakers, "Today, I've failed to maintain the professional standards of Crestwood Group."
His opening line sent another shockwave through the room.
Finn admitting his faults in public? That was completely unheard of at Crestwood.
I watched him put on his little show, playing the martyr to win back the crowd's sympathy.
"I've allowed personal matters to interfere with our business today. For that, I am deeply sorry." He gave a deep bow to the audience.
A smattering of applause broke out, tinged with a bit of sympathy and understanding.
Finn slowly stood up and shot me a warning glare.
He added, "Regarding the sudden appointment of Ms. Lydia Montgomery... I had no prior knowledge of this transition."
He was washing his hands of the situation, shifting all the blame onto me.
The implication was clear: I had acted on my own, bypassed the rules, and sabotaged the company meeting out of spite.
The crowd started murmuring again.
Without giving me a chance to speak, he plowed ahead. "But since Ms. Montgomery's transfer went through the proper channels, the company will honor it."