CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY FIVE - When the Past Catches Up

One afternoon, Deonna overheard two colleagues whispering in the break room. "I heard she only got the Chief Strategy Officer position because she's sleeping with the CEO," one of them said in a hushed tone. "Well, can you blame her? It's a cutthroat world out there. Some people will do anything to get ahead," the other replied with a snicker. Deonna felt her cheeks burn with anger and humiliation. She wanted to confront them, to defend herself, but she knew it would only make things worse. Instead, she retreated to her office, fighting back tears of frustration. That evening, she confronted Logan in his office. "Do you have any idea what's going on out there?" she demanded, her voice shaking with emotion. Logan looked up from his computer, his brow furrowed with concern. "What do you mean?" "The rumors, Logan. The sabotage. Emma is systematically destroying my reputation and my work, and you're just sitting here like nothing's wrong!" Logan stood up, moving around his desk to f