Chapter 17: Under the Board’s Eyes

Two hours had never felt so short.

Lena spent most of that time sitting at her desk, staring at the clock, her fingers too shaky to type. The office outside Alexander’s door moved like normal—phones ringing, printers humming, people walking by with coffee—but for her, everything felt muted. Distant. Wrong.

At ten minutes to the meeting, Alexander stepped out of his office.

He didn’t say her name, but their eyes met, and that was enough.

“Let’s go,” he said quietly.

She nodded, rising on unsteady legs. As they walked down the hallway together, she noticed something she hadn’t seen before: how people parted slightly when he walked past, a mix of respect and fear following him. Normally, that power comforted her. Today, it scared her.

They reached the Boardroom—thick wooden doors, frosted glass panels, the company logo shining on polished metal.

Alexander paused for a brief second and turned to her.

“Remember,” he murmured, voice low just for her. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You’ve earned your place here. Don’t let them convince you otherwise.”

Her throat tightened. “What if they don’t believe that?”

“Then they’ll have to go through me,” he said, and there was something in his eyes—steel, fire, something unbreakable—that gave her the courage to nod.

He opened the door.

The Boardroom was colder than the rest of the building. A long, dark table sat in the center, surrounded by leather chairs. At the far end, the Board members sat already assembled—five of them, each with a tablet or file, each with eyes that felt like they could see straight through her.

Jamie sat to the side, taking notes. Victoria sat farther down, like she didn’t belong there but forced her way in anyway. Her expression was relaxed. Too relaxed.

“Mr. Knight, Miss Carter,” said a man with silver hair at the center of the table. “Thank you for joining us.”

Alexander inclined his head slightly. “Jonathan.”

Jonathan Blake. Lena recognized the name—Chairman of the Board.

“Please,” Jonathan said, gesturing. “Take a seat.”

Lena sat beside Alexander, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. Her heart pounded so loudly she wondered if anyone else could hear it.

Jonathan folded his hands. “Let’s be clear. This is not a formal disciplinary hearing. We are, however, obligated to address… concerns.”

“Concerns about what, exactly?” Alexander asked calmly.

One of the women on the Board, sharp-eyed with red-framed glasses, tapped her tablet. “About a possible breach of professional boundaries between you and your assistant.”

The words sliced through Lena.

“There has been chatter,” another Board member added. “Whispers of favoritism. Extended closed-door meetings. Emotional involvement.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “You’re basing this on whispers?”

“We’re basing it,” Jonathan said evenly, “on an anonymous report and observation.”

Lena felt her pulse spike. Observation.

Someone had been watching them.

“We take integrity seriously here,” the woman with the red glasses continued. “If Mr. Knight is in a relationship with an employee, there are legal and ethical implications.”

Lena’s hands clenched in her lap.

“I’m not in a relationship with any employee,” Alexander said, his voice slow, controlled, dangerous. “Miss Carter is my assistant. She’s competent, valuable, and deserving of my trust and guidance. That is all.”

His lie burned.

Not because it wasn’t partly true, but because it wasn’t fully true anymore. Not after the kiss. Not after the confessions.

Jonathan’s gaze slid to Lena. “Miss Carter. Do you feel pressured by Mr. Knight in any way?”

“No,” Lena said immediately. “Never.”

“Has he ever suggested anything… inappropriate?” another Board member asked.

Her mind flashed to his hands on her face. His lips on hers. The way he whispered, Tell me to stop.

“No,” she said, voice steady. “He has always respected me.”

Alexander’s eyes softened almost imperceptibly.

Jonathan studied her for a long moment. “Do you feel that your relationship with Mr. Knight is purely professional?”

The room seemed to narrow, walls closing in.

If she said yes, it would be a lie.

If she said no, she could destroy them both.

“I…” She swallowed. “I respect him as my boss. I learn from him. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work here.”

It wasn’t an answer. But it wasn’t a confession either.

Red Glasses narrowed her eyes. “That’s not what we asked.”

Alexander leaned forward slightly. “What exactly are you trying to imply?”

“That your judgment may be compromised,” she shot back. “Personal involvement with a subordinate is a liability.”

“Alleged involvement,” he corrected.

Victoria finally spoke, her voice smooth as silk.

“May I add something?” she asked.

Jonathan nodded. “Briefly.”

Victoria smiled, folding her hands. “I’ve worked closely with Mr. Knight for years—on contracts, mergers, legal compliance. He’s always been… disciplined.” She let the word hang. “Which is why his recent behavior has raised… questions.”

Lena’s stomach clenched.

“What behavior?” Alexander asked, his tone ice.

“Change in his schedule. Private meetings. Protectiveness over one specific assistant.” Her eyes flicked to Lena. “It would be irresponsible of us not to ask… why.”

Jonathan cleared his throat. “This is not a witch hunt, Victoria.”

“Of course not,” she said sweetly. “We’re all simply… concerned.”

Lena could feel it now. The trap tightening. The walls closing in.

Jonathan finally sighed. “We are not making decisions today. But until this matter is resolved, we want to ensure there is no room for… misinterpretation.”

Alexander’s voice hardened. “Meaning?”

“Meaning,” Jonathan said carefully, “we are recommending that Miss Carter be temporarily reassigned.”

The air left Lena’s lungs.

Reassigned.

Away from his office.

Away from him.

The world blurred for a second.

“No,” Alexander said, before anyone else could speak.

Every head turned toward him.

“That’s not necessary,” he continued. “And it will only validate baseless rumors.”

“This isn’t a request, Mr. Knight,” Red Glasses replied. “It’s a measure of protection—for the company, and for Miss Carter.”

Jonathan looked at Lena, his tone softer. “This isn’t a punishment, Miss Carter. Just a… precaution.”

But it felt like punishment.

It felt like exile.

She forced her lips to move. “Where… would I be reassigned to?”

Jonathan glanced at his screen. “There’s an opening on the 12th floor. Finance department. Same salary. Same contract. Different supervisor.”

Different floor.

Different world.

So close, yet suddenly out of reach.

Alexander’s voice dropped low, dangerous. “You’re separating my assistant based on rumors.”

“We’re preventing a scandal before it happens,” Victoria said calmly.

Lena felt everyone’s eyes on her.

She realized, in that moment, that her silence wouldn’t protect her anymore. Their feelings wouldn’t stay contained in glances and almost-kisses. The world around them was already shifting.

And unless they did something, it would tear them apart.