51 Damage Control
Ewan was in his car, en–route to his company, when he saw the news.
With his iPad, he had been going through the document he had signed with Ethan’s company when, suddenly, the news icon had flashed across his screen.
At first, he had thought to ignore it. But when he saw the headlines ‘Ewan Giacometti in the mud again… “he hadn’t been able to hold back the curiosity anymore.
After he opened the news page, which he noted came with a video, Sandro called him.
Without picking his phone which was right beside him, Ewan already knew the reason for the call.
His friend must have seen the news too.
The phone stopped ringing.
Ewan checked the time of the news release; it was just a few minutes ago.
He scanned the first two paragraphs, and understood the article already: Zack Moore had visited Athena, and it hadn’t ended well for both the arrogant male and his reputation.
Ewan wasn’t sure how to feel, especially since his own reputation was also dragged to the mud.
His phone rang again.
“Hey, Sandro…” He finally picked, still scrolling through the news page.
“Have you seen the news on the socials?”
“Yes, I have. It seems hot…”
Sandro scoffed. “It’s more than hot, Ewan. It is terrible. Where are you?”
“On my way to the company” Ewan answered, before tapping the play button on the video file.
“That’s great. We are waiting for you. Hurry up!”
The call abruptly ended.
We? Who else was waiting?
He paused the video and tapped the console.
hoss’s orders.
he driver slowed the car, and lowered the divide, so that he could listen to his boss’s
The
“Drive faster. There’s an emergency in the company”
Ewan ordered stoically, before returning to the interesting video.
Once again, his company had been thrown into the gutters.
What gives now?
Twelve minutes later, Ewan arrived at his company.
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During this time, he had read the raving news, which had over a million hits, from three
different sources.
These sources had reported basically the same thing, as if they had been given a template to
work with.
Yet, Ewan, having watched the video which clearly recorded what had transpired in the headquarters of the Whitman hospital, understood the reason for the similarities.
Zack had pushed Athena to the wall in a straightforward way.
Ewan gritted his teeth.
He would make sure that what remained of Zack’s company was torn to shreds.
That’s if Athena’s backer wasn’t on that already…
Athena.
Did she think of him and his reputation when she did this?
He shook his head at the selfish thought. She hadn’t budgeted doing this to him. She had only done this because Zack had cornered her, thinking he could manipulate her.
Ewan almost wished he and Zack had spoken prior to this; he would have informed the arrogant male not to bother with the coy plan.
This new Athena would not bend to manipulation, to threats, or to
Didn’t he know firsthand?
violence.
As he walked into the company, he noticed that most of his workers were leaving, so he checked his wristwatch.
It was closure time. Perfect.
He nodded to their greetings, while ignoring the looks of uncertainty on their faces. They must
have seen the news.
He sighed. Would the KN press jump on this?
If they did, should he prepare to beg Athena again?
Ewan slowly shook his head as he entered his private elevator. He couldn’t believe he was depending on Athena now.
However, remembering the KN media resurrected the memory of his discussion with Herbert Whitman.
Hesitating for only a second, he opened his phone and created a reminder tab.
He had to apply at the KN website by tomorrow.
A minute later, he walked into his office space, halting as he noticed that Sandro wasn’t truly alone.
He was with Zane.
They were lounging on the long plush brown sofa, busy with their laptops.
51 Damage Control
When did the latter come?
When the duo noticed his presence, they stood to their feet immediately.
“Ewan, how do you do?” They asked simultaneously, causing Ewan to chuckle softly.
“I’m fine, thanks for your concern.”
Zane snorted, and folded his arms across his chest. “What are you going to do about this matter? It’s spreading like a virus.”
Ewan shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure. Let’s head into the private room. I don’t need any disturbance.”
Zane and Sandro complied immediately.
“Zack has dragged us into the red arena again…” Sandro started, after they all sat on sofas, with serious expressions on their faces.
“The man is an idiot. Worse than Alfonso if I should say. Alfonso, at least, is wise enough to know what games to play, and when to play them…” Zane concurred.
Ewan inhaled and exhaled gently. “It’s the entitlement mentality. He thinks Athena owes him for being his daughter. Sadly, that’s not the case.”
He paused.
“Zane, did you know she wasn’t his real daughter?”
Zane nodded slowly, knowing more truths were about to be dropped, knowing also how much the video had affected his friend.
He liked Athena, but Ewan was important to him.
Hence, the truth must be told, no matter how he felt about Athena.
“Yes, she confided in me, after the night party that almost tore her reputation apart. Why do you think I stopped the revenge plan I conceived specially for her? Why do you think we are still friends?”
A pause
“She is innocent, Ewan…”
Ewan buried his face in his hands.
“Even about the contract?”
“Yes, that too. When I told her about it, she had been shocked, so shocked that she had lost her hatred for you for a few seconds.”
Ewan sharply lifted his head, understanding the implications of Zane’s statement.
Zane sighed, and rested his head at the apex of the sofa. “Don’t get me wrong. I like her. Yet, I can’t spoil your name or lie, just to curry favor with her. She wouldn’t like that…”
He ruffled his hair. “Ewan, I don’t think she hates you. If she did, hearing the truth had lessened that considerably. Although, as she stated later in anger, your ignorance doesn’t excuse the
51 Damage Control
atrocities you committed against her during the marriage.”
Ewan shut his eyes in shame. He understood completely.
He had broken Athena during their marriage.
He had relegated their lovemaking into a biological imperative, made her feel less at every turn. and had not cared for her wants or the way she had been treated by people, especially Fiona’s
family.
Never mind Zack’s ploy, he had been a wicked husband.
“Sandro, turns out you were right at the very end…” He muttered sorrowfully.
Sandro didn’t like this taste of victory, so he didn’t gloat at all.
“But was unfaithfulness part of your crime against Athena? During your marriage with her, did you sleep with Fiona?”
Ewan shook his head slowly. “I’ve never slept with Fiona, even now. But I’m sure the way we interacted, the way I catered to her every whim, made Athena think so.”
“I suspected the same.” Zane murmured. “So, what are you going to do now? Should we pull down the news?”
Ewan shook his head again, to the surprise of the other two males.
“Not yet. Let it make the rounds, let it totally clear Athena’s reputation. Then, announce a press conference concerning it tomorrow. It’ll be happening on Monday.”
“A press conference? What are you talking about? What about the damage it would cause to the company?” Sandro queried, his eyes flashing with incredulity.
He understood that Ewan felt guilty for the way he handled things six years ago, but wasn’t the damage control late already?
As much as Athena had forgiven him, she has clearly moved on!
Ewan shrugged his shoulders. “The press conference is damage control. I believe the truth will make things better. It’s been a long time coming after all. Our company would have to hold out.” Then he picked up his phone and sent a text to Athena..
