53

Petrik

The boardroom was silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. I stood at the head of the long, polished table, scanning the faces of the men and women who sat around it. These were supposed to be my allies—directors and stakeholders of Ivanov Industries, people I’d trusted to uphold the company’s legacy. But tonight, their loyalty felt as fragile as glass.

At the far end of the table, Viktor Volkov, one of the senior board members, leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed and a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. His posture was casual, but his eyes gleamed with thinly veiled malice.

“Petrik,” Volkov said, his tone dripping with condescension. “You’ve been very busy lately, haven’t you?”

The tension in the room thickened. I met his gaze evenly, refusing to let him rattle me. “I’ve been ensuring the company’s stability during an uncertain time. That’s my job.”

“Your job,” Volkov repeated, his smirk widening. “Interesting choice of words, considering the rumors swirling around about your extracurricular activities.”

A murmur rippled through the room, and I felt my jaw tighten. Of course, he’d bring this up now. Diana’s network might have been crumbling, but her reach was still long enough to plant seeds of doubt within my own company.

“If you have something to say, Volkov,” I said coldly, “say it.”

Volkov straightened, his smirk fading as he adopted a more serious expression. “Fine. Let’s not mince words. There are concerns about your leadership, Petrik. Concerns that your... personal vendettas are interfering with your ability to run this company.”

The words hit harder than I expected, though I kept my face impassive. “This company is stronger than it’s been in years,” I said. “Profits are up, expansions are on schedule, and our reputation is solid.”

“For now,” Volkov countered. “But reputation is a fragile thing. And if it gets out that the CEO is waging some private war—”

“This isn’t a private war,” I snapped, cutting him off. “It’s about protecting what’s mine—from people who think they can take it without consequences.”

Volkov raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “And by ‘people,’ I assume you mean Diana?”

I didn’t answer, but the silence was enough to confirm his suspicions. Volkov leaned back again, his smirk returning.

“Petrik,” he said, his tone almost pitying. “We’re all grateful for what you’ve done for this company. But if your actions put Ivanov Industries at risk, the board will have no choice but to intervene.”

“Intervene?” I repeated, my voice icy.

Volkov spread his hands. “A change in leadership, perhaps. Temporary, of course. Just until this... situation is resolved.”

The room fell silent again, the weight of his words hanging heavily over us. I felt a surge of anger rise in my chest, but I forced it down. Losing my temper now would only prove his point.

“This is a power play,” I said evenly, addressing the entire board. “Volkov is using this as an excuse to undermine me and take control. Don’t let him manipulate you.”

Volkov’s smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. “This isn’t personal, Petrik. It’s about the future of the company. And right now, that future looks uncertain.”

Before I could respond, the door to the boardroom opened, and Lia stepped inside. She was supposed to wait outside, but the look on her face told me something was wrong.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, her voice calm but urgent. “Petrik, we need to talk. Now.”

I nodded, ignoring the murmurs from the board as I followed her out into the hallway. The moment the door closed behind us, I turned to her.

“What is it?” I asked, my frustration bleeding into my tone.

“Diana,” Lia said, her voice low. “She’s making a move.”

My stomach sank. “What kind of move?”

“Public,” Lia said, handing me her phone. “She’s leaking information about the company—false information, but damaging enough to make headlines.”

I scanned the screen, my blood boiling as I read the fabricated claims about financial improprieties and unethical practices. It was a classic Diana tactic: hit where it hurt the most and watch the fallout.

“We have to act fast,” Lia said. “If this gains traction, it could ruin us.”

I ran a hand through my hair, my mind racing. The board was already on edge, and this would only give Volkov more ammunition. If I didn’t contain this quickly, everything I’d built could come crashing down.

“Nikolai,” I said, pulling out my phone and dialing his number.

He answered on the first ring. “What’s going on?”

“Diana,” I said. “She’s leaking false information about the company. I need you to trace the source and shut it down.”

“I’m on it,” Nikolai said. “But you need to control the narrative. Get ahead of this before it spreads.”

I ended the call, turning back to Lia. “We’re holding a press conference.”

Her eyes widened. “Tonight?”

“Tonight,” I said firmly. “If we wait, the damage will be done.”

“And the board?” she asked.

“They’ll see this for what it is,” I said. “An attack. And when we come out of it stronger, Volkov won’t have a leg to stand on.”

Lia nodded, her expression determined. “Let’s do it.”

The press conference was arranged within hours, a hastily organized but meticulously executed event. Reporters filled the room, their cameras and microphones ready as I stepped up to the podium. Lia stood off to the side, her presence steadying me as I prepared to address the storm Diana had unleashed.

“Good evening,” I began, my voice calm but firm. “Earlier today, false claims were circulated about Ivanov Industries—claims designed to damage our reputation and sow doubt among our employees and partners. Let me be clear: these claims are baseless, and we will not allow them to derail the progress we’ve made.”

The room buzzed with murmurs, but I continued, my gaze sweeping the crowd.

“This attack is the work of individuals who fear change—who fear the strength of this company and the direction we’re heading. But let me assure you: Ivanov Industries will not be intimidated. We will continue to grow, to innovate, and to lead.”

As I spoke, I saw the tide beginning to turn. The reporters leaned in, their expressions shifting from skepticism to interest. Lia’s steady presence gave me the confidence to keep going, to remind the world—and the board—that I wasn’t going anywhere.

Diana had played her hand, but this time, I wasn’t just reacting. I was fighting back.