“Thanks for the question, Diane. Ilovehow you phrased that.”
She doesn’t flinch at the sarcasm.
“I was raised in the hallways of Rawlings Enterprise.” It might be a slight reinterpretation of history. It was more me sneaking in and roaming the hallways, until my dad eventually relented. Not that he gave a damn about what I was doing or my ideas. “I worked my way up alongside brilliant people who shared my family’s vision for the future of this company.”
The gossip and murmurs on the floor eventually fizzled out after the first year. The sidelong glances in the elevators, the whispers about my place in the company… I kept my head down and outworked every whisper.
“No one knows this company inside out the way I do. So, to answer your question, Diane, it feels like coming home. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
She tilts her head. “You’ve been dubbedTech Barbie. What’s your take on that?”
Of course. That asshole reporter, Fred Pierson, called me that once. It stuck. I’m one of the youngest CEOs in tech, and for the past year, I’ve been in a constant PR battle against the assumption that I’m just a pretty placeholder.
“Barbie’s an icon for millions of girls worldwide. I don’t mind being placed in her company,” I say smoothly. “She can be anything she wants. And if I can inspire even one person to pursue their passion, I’d call that a win.”
Diane holds my gaze for a beat. She is clearly not satisfied with that and continues to needle me for a reaction. “I think it’smore about your looks,” she says, setting the bait, but I don’t take it. I know better, and it’s getting old already.
You are too pretty to be so aggressive.OrI’m impressed. You think like a man.
“I have no more control over my genes than you do.” I shoot her a meaningful look. She used to be a game show model before clawing her way to the top. Butherlooks didn’t hold her back. “They can call me whatever they want,” I continue with a smile. “We’re still the biggest tech company in the country.”
“Speaking of your competitors,” Diane says, shifting gears, “the recent attack on Rawlings Enterprise has drawn concern from industry leaders. One of them is here with us tonight to share his view on the larger implications.”
Her apparent concern doesn’t fool me. I see where this is going.
Diane gestures with her pen, turning to the camera. “We have UniCore’s CEO with us, Mr. Charles Gordon. Good evening, sir.”
His Botox-fixed sour mug pops into half of the preview screen. Looks like his latest trip to the hair clinic paid off. This time, it could pass for something real, not some roadkill he glued on.
Of course they’d bring him in. He’s been chasing our shadow for years, furious that even after Dad died, he couldn’t beat Carter. Now that I’ve taken over, it’s driving him mad that we’re still ahead.
Near the cameraman, a silhouette shifts. Michelle is hidden in the darkness, behind the blinding set light, but I bet she’s wringing her hands.
“Thank you for having me, Diane,” Gordon says gravely. “I want to start by expressing my deepest sympathy for what happened at your offices,MissRawlings.” He’s careful to stress the word. “It’s terrible. But maybe this is a moment to reflect.Perhaps somebody with more experience should step in. There’s no shame in admitting you’re out of your depth.” He shakes his head slightly. “We need answers. Why was your company targeted, andyouspecifically?”
Oh right, the “bitch” message smeared across my building with red paint. That certainly got everybody’s attention.
“It’s critical you share with us all the details of the investigation, and the projects that might have made your company a target.”
His desperation would be funny if I weren’t boiling with rage inside.
The bastard is still mad over the NextGen deal, which, I’ll reluctantly admit, wouldn’t have happened without Adam’s help. We snatched the start-up from under Gordon’s nose. He was sure it would give UniCore the lead.
“At least Carter had more experience and authority,” Gordon adds, with an air of finality.
At least he’s a man, is what he means.
My brother, the golden child. My dad’s heir. Because that’s what it was. He didn’t love Carter more. But my brother had a purpose. Dad had a clear path for him, and Carter bled himself dry to follow it.
Sitting taller in my chair, I offer him my most diplomatic smile. “I appreciate your concern, Charles.” His nostrils flare at the casual tone. “The authorities and our security team are working relentlessly on the case. There’s no signal that other companies will—”
“Let me explain it to you, sweetheart,” he cuts me off, lip curling. “The people who work for you deserve—”
“I appreciate your concern for my team.” My voice is ice cold. “But perhaps you should channel that energy into fixing the unreported safety issues at your factories.”
Gordon stumbles over his words. “Th-there were no official complaints.”
“Understandable,” I say, a frostbitten calm keeping my tone in check. “Considering the fifty-plus settlements you pushed out of court. All sealed tightly with NDAs.”
