Annabeth's POV

I sat sandwiched between Malcolm and Dad as we all watched over my sleeping mother. She slept a lot these days. At least the beds at her care facility looked more comfortable. I reached for her hand and squeezed it three times. I. Love. You. As usual, she was unresponsive. But it felt good to be surrounded by family after such an emotionally draining day.

I think my dad noticed I wasn't feeling like my usual self, as much as I tried to hide it.

"What's on your mind, pumpkin?" Everything at work okay?"

Malcolm drove an elbow into my side. "Your boss still taking a special interest in you?"

I think he suspected something was happening between me and Percy. He could always tell when there was a man on my mind.

"It's fine…" I brushed them off. I desperately wanted to take the attention off me and start a new conversation. And then, a question popped into my head. I couldn't believe I had never asked it before.

"Hey, Dad?" I questioned. "How did you know you were in love with Mom?"

My dad let out a long sigh.

"Well, sweetheart," he began. "I would like to say it was love at first sight, but I don't think I believe in that."

"So, what happened?" That was Malcolm, his curiosity also quipped.

"Well, as you know, we met in high school and were good friends for many, many years. We both dated other people. She even almost married some guy right out of college."

"Really?" I never knew that about my mom. There were so many things I never got to ask her, and now, it was too late.

He carried on. "I had known your mother ten years when I got the call that my father was dead. I was with Hellen, my girlfriend at the time. She did her best to hold and comfort me, but as I stared into the abyss of loss and despair, my only thought was that I needed to see your mother. I ran straight to her house and into her arms. I never left."

I didn't realize a tear had fallen on my cheek, I tried to wipe it away quickly, but my dad noticed.

"Don't be sad, sweetie. Your mom and I are the lucky ones. Not everybody gets a love like ours. That's why I'll return to her bedside everyday."

I leaned into my dad, and he put his arms around me. Malcolm got in on the group hug, too. My relationship with Percy might very well have been over, but at least I would always have these two men in my life. The hug was interrupted by my phone buzzing. I was sure it would be Percy, but it turned out to be Nico. I already had two missed calls from him and a series of texts.

Nico: Where are you?

Nico: Pick up the phone!

Nico: Octavian called an emergency meeting with the shareholders.

Nico: I don't know what to do. I need you here now.

Annabeth: I'm coming.

"Sorry to run," I said, scrambling to get my stuff.

"Do what you gotta do," my dad replied. "I love getting to brag about my high-powered daughter."

I kissed each member of my family on the forehead and ran out of the room...

Octavian's POV

This was my chance. Every member of the board had shown up after I classified this meeting a code: red emergency. All their eyes were positioned on me as they nervously awaited what I had to tell them. There was one gaze I tried my best to avoid…the one belonging to Poseidon Jackson. While he had retired from the day-to-day of the company several years before, he was still one of the majority shareholders. And he would not appreciate the information I was about to divulge. Not. One. Bit.

"Thank you for coming," I began, trying to sound as clear and confident as possible.

"What is this about?" Poseidon asserted, trying to take charge of the situation. I wasn't going to let him.

"I feel it is my responsibility to fill you in on some events that have recently taken place in the company."

"As you may have noticed," I continued. "This has been a stagnant year for the company. And I believe this is largely due to the quality of the leadership."

"Let me stop you right there," Poseidon said. I knew he wouldn't sir quietly. "My son dealt with a life-threatening illness that completely changed his life. If you're going to blame him for—"

I interrupted. "Of course, I am not blaming Percy for getting sick and losing his sight. But there has been an incident that, I'm sorry to say, is completely unforgivable."

"And what is that, exactly?" Poseidon fired back.

"In the aftermath of his surgery and his divorce, it seems Percy has turned to our female employees for comfort. He is already engaged in a consensual relationship with Miss Annabeth Chase. And I heard, directly from the source, that he sexually assaulted one of our interns."

There was an audible gasp as all their eyes widened. Even Poseidon Jackson was at a loss for words.

Perfect.

"She will be coming forward with her story to the press, and when she does, it will taint the Jackson name." I eyed Poseidon, who sneered at me. "This means Nico will also lose his respect as a leader. I want you to know, I will stay loyal to this company through the fallout of the scandal. I know the operations inside and out. I am ready and willing to take over."

There were murmurs from every corner of the room as the board members tried to wrap their brains around what I had just told them. But the murmuring stopped when a walking ball of fire burst through the door.

Annabeth's POV

By the horrified looks on everyone's faces, it seemed Octavian had already delivered a convincing performance.

"Hi everybody." I had never been in a board meeting before, and this was not how I expected my first one would go. But I was prepared to take Octavian down.

"Who are you?" Asked a man hunched over in the back.

"My name is Annabeth Chase."

"Oh, she's one of Percy's girls," said a woman to my left.

So…my reputation precedes me.

I inhaled sharply and readjusted my collar. "I know you all must be very concerned. But I'm here to bring you some much-needed relief."

"Please," said Poseidon Jackson. I hadn't noticed him until then, and I nodded in his direction.

"Yes. Everything Octavian just told you is a complete and utter lie."

"So, you were never engaged in a relationship with Percy?" asked the same woman from before.

"Well, that part is true. But it was entirely consensual, and our romantic relationship has since ended." I shifted uncomfortably in my shoes. "But the story about the sexual assault is completely falsified. Octavian has been trying everything in his power to take control of the company, and this is just another one of his schemes. He even bribed our intern to go along with it."

"No, it's not a scheme! It's the truth," Octavian shouted. "Get out of here! We are discussing the fate of the company." A vein was about to explode out of his forehead.

"Wait," voiced Poseidon. "Annabeth, are you sure?" Can you prove it?" He was clearly desperate to find a way out of this nightmare.

"Yes!" I exclaimed. "Thankfully, Octavian was sloppy in his plotting."

I looked over at Octavian and could sense he was starting to panic. I reached into my bag and produced papers, which I handed out to every member of the board. I had thought about emailing the information to them, but the average age in the room was about seventy-five, so I figured I would make this process as simple as possible. Printed on the papers was the picture of Octavian's check to Tracy I had taken in Octavian's office. Beneath it was a screenshot of a text message chain between Simon and Tracy, in which he was trying to arrange a covert meeting. I gave them a minute to make sense of it all. Poseidon rose to his feet.

"Octavian!" He looked like his head was about to pop off of his neck.

He cowered into a corner. "Sir, I didn't—it's not what it looks like…"

Poseidon stomped toward him. "As a senior member of the board, I am putting you on an indefinite suspension while we launch a full investigation into your actions. But it's safe to say, you have no future at this company. I, for one, am thrilled. I always found you to be a complete and total asshole."

"Me, too." I winked at Poseidon who patted me on the arm. Octavian's face went as white as the wall he was now pressed up against.

So…Percy's reputation was saved, Octavian was officially out of the picture. But it didn't change the fact my heart was broken. I didn't think I could go back to work in that office once Percy was reinstated. It would hurt too much to see him every day. I opened my computer and navigated to my email. It took some searching, but I eventually found the messages I exchanged with the headhunter who had placed me at the Jackson Hotel Group. I pressed down on the reply button and began to draft a new message to her.

Hello Diana,

Hope you are doing well. While I have learned a lot in my current position, it is clear there is no future for me at this company. If you hear of any openings that might suit my qualifications, please get in touch.

Thank you for your time.

Best,

Annabeth Chase.

My fingers quaked as they hovered over the send button. I pushed down. Just then, it occurred to me that my future employer might call Percy for a reference. How would he feel? What would he say?

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