I Protected My Drunk Boss From a Dangerous Night — Then She Looked at Me and Said, “I Remember Everything”
Chapter 7
The public attention was brutal.
Reporters waited outside Sterling International.
Photographers followed Ethan.
Social media turned their relationship into gossip.
Some claimed Ethan had manipulated Victoria.
Others said she had promoted him because of their relationship.
Neither was true.
Victoria called an emergency board meeting.
“I want independent review.”
Ethan agreed.
His role was examined.
His compensation.
His promotions.
His performance history.
Everything.
The review concluded that he had earned every position based on performance.
There was no evidence of misconduct.
That report silenced some criticism.
Not all.
It didn’t matter.
Victoria and Ethan decided to stop hiding.
They released a joint statement.
They were in a relationship.
They were adults.
Their professional responsibilities remained separate.
Their personal lives were private.
That was enough.
The next morning, Ethan entered the office.
A young employee smiled.
“Good luck.”
He laughed.
“Thanks.”
Victoria was waiting in her office.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“I hate being the center of attention.”
He laughed.
“You’re the CEO.”
“Exactly.”
She looked at him.
“You know what I remember most about that night?”
“The champagne?”
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“You stayed.”
He nodded.
“I did.”
“You didn’t try to kiss me.”
“No.”
“You didn’t exploit the situation.”
“Never.”
“You just stayed.”
He smiled.
“That’s what I told you I’d do.”
She kissed him.
This time, neither pulled away.
Their relationship became public.
But something else changed.
Ethan decided he didn’t want to remain in a position directly under Victoria.
He resigned.
Victoria was shocked.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want anyone to question your decisions.”
“I trust you.”
“I know.”
“Then stay.”
“I’d rather build something with you outside the company.”
She looked at him.
“What?”
“A security and crisis management firm.”
Victoria smiled.
“That sounds ambitious.”
“Good.”
They created a new company.
Ethan became CEO.
Victoria invested but did not control it.
Their businesses remained separate.
For the first time, their relationship existed without a direct power imbalance.
They were partners.
Professionally and personally.
