“When was this lawsuit filed?” I asked.
“Within a week of her termination,” the lawyer said. “Unusually aggressive timing.”
I turned to security. “Every interaction in my office is recorded by multiple security cameras, with the footage stored for five years. A review of these recordings would demonstrate who was making advances toward whom.” I kept my voice low.
The evidence supporting my position was overwhelming. This meeting was therefore a waste of valuable time.
Kostas interjected with his usual directness, “But why this? Why now?”
Dimitrios answered before I could formulate my response. “Because of his marriage to Deanna. Remember how shocked and angry she was at the hospital?”
Kostas nodded. “We need to get ahead of this, particularly considering the public relations implications.” He turned to my PR manager. “What’s our current position? How much damage is this doing to the company image?”
She laid out the situation with professional detachment. “The court of public opinion is indeed our most significant battlefield. Several media outlets have already published the story with provocative headlines.”
I reached for my phone. Dede couldn’t read Greek, but my mother, Kayla, Chrysanthos, Tia, the staff at the estate... any one of them could mention it to her.
I pulled up each of their numbers and typed quickly:
Nothing about the lawsuit reaches Deanna until I speak with her myself. No exceptions.
I hit send. That would buy me time to handle this properly.
“The shareholders will expect a formal investigation and a public response immediately.”
“Certainly,” I agreed, sensing more was coming. I raised an eyebrow, fixing each person with a steady gaze. “And?”
“In the meantime,” she continued, “they’ve suggested that you step down from your position until the investigation concludes—”
I scoffed, but allowed her to continue.
“That we issue a carefully worded statement denying the allegations—I’ve drafted something for your review— and that we examine all internal documentation, files and video footage.”
“There’s not a single file, video clip, phone call or voice note that would in any way implicate me or damage this company’s reputation. Regarding the statement, I’ll draft my own response. No one can address these allegations as effectively as I can. I’ll begin immediately. And finally...” I straightened. “I will not be stepping down, back, or aside. This is my company. I refuse to let such a transparent attempt to tarnish my reputation interfere with my responsibilities.”
Silence settled over the room. No one challenged me.
I reached for the file containing Phoibe’s statement and tossed it dismissively to the side, scattering papers. “My brothers will remain for a private discussion. The rest of you, return to your offices and resolve this matter. Immediately.”
The lawyers and staff filed out quickly.
Dimitrios spoke first. “I wonder how much money it would take to make her disappear?”
“Not a single euro,” I said. “I refuse to be extorted.”
“That’s exactly what she wants,” Konstantin added. “A settlement would validate her claims. The media would interpret it as guilt.”
“So we destroy her credibility instead,” Dimitrios said, already warming to the idea. “Every boundary she crossed, every inappropriate comment, every time Aris documented her behavior—we’ll make it public.”
I shook my head. “That creates a different problem. A man using his resources to discredit a woman making harassment claims? The optics are terrible regardless of the truth.”
Dimitrios stopped pacing and dropped into a chair. “Always so fucking noble. Meanwhile, this bitch is out there destroying your reputation while you have a new wife and babies at home.”
Konstantin’s expression tightened. “Deanna will hear about this soon if she hasn’t already.”
“She won’t,” I said.
“You’re certain?” Konstantin’s tone suggested he knew better. “The story’s already in multiple outlets.”
