The final paragraph hits the nail on thehead:
“The question isn’t whether Daniel Williams is brilliant. It’s whether he’s stable enough to be trusted with other people’s money and futures. Those who know him best describe a man increasingly isolated, paranoid, and unable to maintain any relationship that doesn’t serve his interests. As Williams Ventures pursues its largest merger, investors should ask themselves: Is this the kind of leadership they want steering their investments?”
“Daniel?” Lottie’s voice cuts through the roaring in my ears. “Talk to me.”
“I’m here. How bad is the fallout?”
“It’s bad. Investors are calling. The board wants an emergency meeting. Larsson’s people are asking questions about leadership stability.”
No. The Larsson deal took almost a year of negotiation before we finally settled on two hundred million dollars, the biggest merger in company history. Hell no.
“What do they want?”
“Reassurance. They want to know that this isn’t going to blow up in their faces.”
“It’s a hit piece from a bitter ex.”
“I know that. You know that. But the public doesn’t care about the truth. They care about narrative, and right now, the narrative is that Daniel Williams is a maniac who destroys everything he touches.”
I press my palm against my forehead.
“What’s the play?”
PR response. We’ll probably spin it and paint Cassidy as the bitter ex she is.”
“That’s it?”
“For now. But Daniel—” She pauses. I hear papers shuffling. “The board is going to push for more. They want optics. They want proof you’re not the person Cassidy is painting you as.”
“How do I prove that?”
“You show them someone different. Someone capable of connection.”
Understanding dawns slowly.
“You want me to date someone.”
“I want you to be seen with someone,” she says, her voice gentling. “I know you hate this. It feels forced and manipulative, but perception matters—especially now. It’ll only backfire if you come out swinging and try to paint Cassidy as the bitter ex. That’s exactly the story everyone already expects you to tell.”
I stare through the windshield at nothing.
“Why aren’t we considering suing that woman?”
“Really? You want to drag yourself into a messy lawsuit right when you’re at the peak of your career. Daniel, you have everything lined up. The world is practically yours right now. This is the safest, smartest way to protect that before it all spirals out of control.”
“Who did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know. Someone from your social circle? A friend? It doesn’t have to be serious, just visible enough to counter the narrative, plus we also need to make sure it’s someone you trust.”
Bailey’s face flashes through my mind, and I blink hard. “No,” I say it out loud. “Absolutely not.”
“What?”
“Nothing. I’m thinking.”
“Think fast. The board meets on Tuesday morning. They’re going to want answers.”
My phone buzzes as another call comes through. It’s Trevor.
