ORION.
The days that followed the chaos in the boardroom felt like a whirlwind—yet, somehow, I finally found my footing again. The rumors that had threatened to tear my reputation apart, the false accusations swirling around the new drug, and the malicious whispers about my personal life—all of it was starting to fade into the background. I knew I had to act fast to clear the air, not just for myself but for the company I loved.
First, the police investigation wrapped up swiftly. Their findings confirmed what I had suspected all along—the allegations were rooted in sabotage by a rival company eager to see me fall. They'd hired someone to plant false evidence and spread rumors, hoping to destabilize Stone Pharmaceuticals and eliminate the competition. They traced the digital footprints and intercepted the culprit—an operative working for a rival corporation whose name I won't even dignify with mention. The evidence was irrefutable, and charges were filed against them for defamation, conspiracy, and sabotage.
With the truth finally out, I wasted no time. I filed a lawsuit against the rival company, demanding damages for the harm they'd caused—financial, reputational, and emotional. My legal team worked quickly, and I knew the court would see through their malicious intent. This wasn't just about clearing my name; it was about holding those responsible accountable. Justice, I realized, was as vital as the innovation I poured my soul into.
Meanwhile, the development and release of the new drug proceeded on schedule. The lab teams worked tirelessly, and the regulatory approvals came through without issue. The market was eager—my reputation, once battered, was now being restored by the quality and promise of the product. The press coverage shifted from skepticism to admiration. I could see it in the headlines and in the positive feedback from healthcare providers who believed in what we were doing. The company was back on track, stronger and more resilient than ever.
One evening, after a long day at the office, I returned home to Harro. The moment I stepped through the door, I was greeted with that familiar, warm smile and the gentle touch of his hands. Harro's embrace was like coming home—soft, reassuring, grounding. We didn't need words; our connection spoke volumes. We celebrated quietly, just the two of us, knowing that the storm was finally behind us. I don't know what I would have done without him and the girls.
My employees, too, showed unwavering support. Their loyalty and belief in me never wavered, even when the rumors threatened to drown us all. I received messages, calls, and visits from those who stood by me, reaffirming that I was more than just a CEO— I was part of a family that believed in integrity, perseverance, and truth.
As for my father, we never explicitly addressed what happened in the conference room. But I knew he understood just how much his support meant to me. He sent Marcus to check on me under the guise of asking him to bring me lunch—an unspoken gesture of his constant watchful care. That simple act told me he was silently proud, silently supportive, quietly knowing that I was strong enough to handle whatever came my way.
After dinner, we were resting in the sitting room when Harro called out to me gently, "Babe?" and I hummed a quiet reply.
"Now that this whole mess is resolved, I want to talk about us. I want to get married." I don't need to paint the picture of it, but I actually choked slightly on my spit, blinking in surprise.
"Wait a minute! You do realize I haven't proposed yet, right?" Why does he suddenly want to get married?
Harro chuckled, a hint of mischief in his smile as he turned to me. "True, but I want to get married, babe. I want you to be mine—legally!"
"I want that too, but I thought we were going to wait a bit? What about the proper proposal we talked about? You know, the one with the ring, and the option of you planning our honeymoon?" I asked, my heart racing at the thought.
"I still want to do it right," Harro said, tilting his head slightly with his hand on his chin as he grinned. "But I want to make sure you're legally mine soon. I don't wanna wait anymore."
"Wow!" I breathed, unable to form real words, feeling a burst of warmth spread through me. Somehow, that sounds hot as hell. "Hearing you say that…that's sexy as hell!" I finally found the words, and he grinned cheekily, winking at me.
"So, does that mean you agree?" He asked, waiting for my reply.
"Yes, let's do it!" I declared, suddenly feeling bold. Probably from the adrenaline rush of the moment, but I really like the idea too. Harro smiled in satisfaction before resting his body back on mine as he continued talking about our upcoming wedding, and the only thing I could think about was the fact that I'm actually going to marry this incredible man.
Now, I could breathe easier. The weight of the recent turmoil was lifting, replaced by a sense of clarity and hope. I'm going to marry the love of my life. I can only look forward to the future—one where honesty, hard work, and loyal support would guide me. I have faced the storm, and I have emerged not just unscathed but more determined. Everything was going to be just fine moving forward. Because I know, deep in my heart, that I had the strength, the love, and the support to keep building a legacy that truly mattered.