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Chapter_209
The tension in the room was palpable as Whitney fought to maintain her composure. Her heart raced with conflicting emotions. On one hand, she knew she couldn’t let herself be swayed by the public or by Bryce, no matter how much he offered to help. On the other, the looming threat to Skye Gem’s future, coupled with the pressure from the shareholders, weighed heavily on her shoulders.
She turned to face the group of shareholders, her voice steady, though turmoil churned within her. “I understand the gravity of the situation, but aligning with Mr. Lutz in this way will only feed into the narrative that I’m using my personal life for business gains. That’s not a message I’m willing to send.”
The shareholders exchanged uneasy glances, their desperation clear. One of them, a middle-aged man with sharp eyes, leaned forward, his voice tight with urgency. “Ms. Valentine, with all due respect, this isn’t just about your reputation. Skye Gem is on the brink of collapse. We need something to stop the bleeding, and this could be the lifeline we need. If you’re not willing to play along, we’re all going to sink.”
Whitney’s gaze hardened, but she held her ground, her posture unyielding. “I’m not going to let anyone use me, not even for the company’s sake. We will find another way to handle this.”
Bryce, who had been quietly observing, stepped closer, his voice soft yet insistent. “Look, I get it. You don’t want to get dragged into this mess. But we need to act fast, or the damage will be irreversible.”
Whitney met his gaze, her eyes steely, calculating. “This situation wasn’t of my making, and I won’t let anyone control me. Not even you.”
Bryce didn’t seem deterred. “Alright,” he said, his tone quieter now, “but if you change your mind, you know where to find me. The offer stands.”
A flicker of resentment crossed Whitney’s chest, but beneath it, there was an unsettling sense of relief. She didn’t want to be involved with Bryce that way, but the weight of the situation left her with little choice but to keep her options open. She had to protect herself—and her child—no matter the cost.
As the shareholders murmured among themselves, the PR manager from Skye Gem spoke up, his voice tinged with impatience. “Ms. Valentine, we need a decision. The longer this drags on, the worse it gets. Your personal scandal is poisoning the company. If you want to save Skye Gem, this is the way.”
Whitney’s mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of options. She could feel the pressure mounting, the noose tightening around her. But something deep inside her refused to yield. She had already given so much, but this? This was where she drew the line.
With quiet resolve, she spoke, her voice firm and unwavering. “No. I won’t play the media game. I’ll work to clear my name and Skye Gem’s reputation on my own terms.”
Without another word, she turned to leave the room. But as she stepped out of the office, a sinking feeling took root in her chest. The battle wasn’t over. If anything, she knew the worst was yet to come.
