Ryan heard whispers about inappropriate relationships and favoritism. His interview for the director position was scheduled and he knew some committee members would vote against him purely because of his relationship with Victoria. "Maybe I should withdraw my application," Ryan said one evening after Emma was asleep. "This is causing too many problems for you politically.
Don't you dare," Victoria replied fiercely. "You earned that interview. Your relationship with me has nothing to do with your qualifications for the position. It has everything to do with people's perception of my qualifications, Ryan countered.
If I get the job, everyone will say it's because I'm sleeping with the CEO. If I don't get it, they'll say your executives overruled you. Either way, it undermines your authority. My authority was already being undermined, Victoria replied.
That's why I made that mistletoe proposition in the first place. Remember, I'm tired of playing political games to prove myself. I'd rather just do my job well and let the results speak for themselves. And if the board decides you're too controversial, if they use our relationship as justification to replace you, Victoria was quiet for a long moment.
Would you want me to choose between this company and you because I'm not sure what I choose, and that terrifies me. Ryan pulled her close, feeling the weight of impossible decisions pressing down on both of them. I would never ask you to make that choice. This company is your legacy, your father's trust in you.
I won't be the reason you lose that. You're not the reason, Victoria insisted. A board of old men who can't accept a woman leading without constantly questioning her. Every decision is the reason, but I'm not giving up on either you or this company.
We'll find a way to make both work. Her determination was admirable, but Ryan couldn't shake the feeling that they were heading toward a crisis that would force them to choose. The crisis arrived 3 days before Ryan's final interview in the form of a leaked email to the entire company. Someone had forwarded private correspondence between board members discussing Victoria's inappropriate relationship with subordinate staff and questioning her judgment as CEO.
The email specifically mentioned Ryan by name, called the mistletoe kiss a publicity stunt gone wrong, and suggested the board was considering removing Victoria from her position if she continued prioritizing personal relationships over professional standards. Ryan read it on his phone during a shift, his stomach sinking with each word. By morning, it would be everywhere. industry blogs, business news, social media, Victoria's reputation would be destroyed and it would be entirely his fault. He called her immediately.
I'm withdrawing from the director interview and I think we need to take a break until this blows over. Absolutely not, Victoria replied, her voice tight with barely controlled fury. Don't you dare let them win like this. Victoria, they're trying to remove you as CEO because of me.
This isn't winning or losing. This is protecting your career. My career was always going to be under attack. Victoria shot back.
Because I'm young. Because I'm a woman. Because I inherited instead of climbing ranks. They were looking for any excuse.
Our relationship just gave them convenient ammunition. But I'm not ending something real because scared men are threatened by a woman who doesn't follow their rules. What about Emma? Ryan asked quietly.
She's getting attached to you. If this relationship costs you everything and you end up resenting me, resenting her by extension, I can't let that happen. I won't risk my daughter getting hurt. Victoria was silent for several long moments.
Do you really think I would ever resent Emma? That sweet, brilliant girl who thinks I'm cool because I can beat her at air hockey. Ryan, I'm falling in love with both of you. This isn't some casual thing I'll regret when it gets difficult.
Ryan's breath caught. You're falling in love with us. Terrifying, isn't it? Victoria replied with a shaky laugh.
I wasn't planning on it, but here we are. So, no, you're not withdrawing your application. No, we're not taking a break. We're facing this together and dealing with whatever consequences come.
The board meeting was scheduled for Friday. Victoria was required to attend and answer questions about her conduct and judgment. Ryan wanted to be there to support her, but she refused. "This is my fight," she insisted.
"I need to handle it alone." Thursday evening, their regular movie night, felt heavy with unspoken tension. Emma sensed something was wrong despite their attempts to act normal. After the movie, instead of going straight to bed, she climbed into Victoria's lap with the unself-conscious trust of children who decided someone was safe. "Are you and Daddy going to stop being together?" Emma asked directly, her voice small.
Victoria and Ryan exchanged glances over her head. "What makes you ask that, sweetheart?" Victoria asked gently. "Kids at school said their parents saw stuff on the internet about you and daddy. They said you're going to get fired, and it's daddy's fault.
But that doesn't make sense because daddy's the best and you're really nice and it's not fair. Victoria's arms tightened around Emma. You're right. It's not fair.
Sometimes adults do unfair things because they're scared or angry about stuff that has nothing to do with the people they're hurting. But I promise you, whatever happens with my job has nothing to do with your dad being anything less than wonderful. But are you going to stop coming to movie nights? Emma persisted, tears threatening.
Not if I can help it, Victoria assured her. I love movie nights with you and your dad. I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to leave. I don't want you to leave, Emma whispered.
I really like having you here. You're like, She paused, struggling with a big emotion. You're like the mom I thought I wasn't allowed to want because it would hurt Daddy's feelings. But I want you to stay.
Ryan felt his own eyes burn with tears. Victoria was clearly fighting the same battle, her voice thick when she finally responded. I want to stay, too. So much, and I'm going to fight really hard to make sure I can.
Deal? Emma nodded against her shoulder, and Ryan watched this woman. He'd somehow fallen for comfort, his daughter, with the same fierce protectiveness he felt himself. After Emma was finally asleep, they sat together on the couch, not talking, just being present.
I meant what I told her, Victoria finally said. I'm fighting for this, for us, whatever it takes. What if fighting cost you everything? Ryan asked.
What if you lose the company trying to prove a point? Then I lose it, Victoria replied simply. My father built Hayes Industries, but he also taught me that companies are just structures. What matters is people, relationships, doing work that means something.
If I have to choose between keeping a position I inherited and being with people I chose, people who make me genuinely happy for the first time in years, that's not actually a hard choice. The board might not force you to choose, Ryan said, trying to find hope. Maybe they'll back down. Maybe, Victoria agreed, not sounding convinced.
But I need you to understand something. If they do force me out, I'm not going to regret choosing you. I'm not going to resent you or Emma. I'm going to be angry at a system that punishes women for having personal lives, but I won't regret us.