"It was only later that I found out two of the female interns had been in private contact with Mr. Swanson. I don't want to assume the worst, but the facts speak for themselves."
The video ended with a side-by-side comparison of Abner and one of those interns.
The caption read: Where did I fall short?
My assistant slammed his hand on the desk.
"This is garbage. That intern handled back-office work. She didn't have a single project metric to her name!"
The head of PR stood there wringing his hands.
"Mr. Swanson, public opinion has turned completely against us. They're all calling it workplace bullying. Maybe you should put out a statement to clear things up?"
I nodded.
"A statement is definitely in order."
But what I put out wasn't a clarification. I filed suit against Abner Sullivan for defamation and damage to the company's reputation.
The move set the Sullivans off all over again.
It didn't take long. Kay Sullivan contacted the TV station and arranged a fully live televised confrontation, then asked whether I had the nerve to show up.
I was about to agree when Charlotte hurried over and stopped me.
"Bas, don't go. Kay's pulled in a whole crowd of media. She's bought off the host and every guest on the panel. They've even scripted the whole thing. The second you walk in, the hit pieces will be everywhere."
I listened to all of it in silence, then asked her one thing.
"Can you get me control-room access for the broadcast?"
She nodded without thinking.
"That part's doable, but—"
"Then that's enough."
I sent Kay a single message.
"I'll be there."
I set the phone down, walked into the bathroom, and looked at myself in the mirror.
The man looking back wore a dark gray suit, standing perfectly straight.
Twenty years. From the night my father died to this moment, I had been waiting for this broadcast.
I spoke softly to my reflection.
"Dad. I finally made it here."
