Page 73 of One Pucking Secret
Another slide follows, displaying messages Alec sent directly to a contact, planning each step of his scheme.
“These records reveal communication between Mr. Harding and a local dealer,” our attorney continues. “The same source, aware of Mr. Harding’s conduct, was able to provide details linking Mr. Harding’s frequent purchases of opioids to this dealer.” He clicks to the next slide, which shows transaction records connecting Alec directly to the dealer. Each piece is a testament to Alec’s willingness to frame Wyatt, his actions motivated by both anger and self-interest.
Click.
A photo appears, capturing Alec in a clandestine meeting with the dealer. The image is grainy, but Alec’s face is unmistakable, caught in the act of conspiring to ruin Wyatt’s career.
The attorney continues, “According to our collected information, a witness confirmed that Mr. Harding entered Mr. Banks’s locker room while Mr. Banks was in the shower. With the assistance of a staff member, Mr. Harding used this opportunity to plant evidence in Mr. Banks’s locker.” He clicks to the next slide, showing a summary of the witness’s signed affidavit, detailing this account without naming names.
As the presentation continues, a wave of vindication builds within me. Alec’s deceit is being exposed for all to see. With each slide, I feel we’re one step closer to clearing Wyatt’s name and holding Alec accountable for his actions.
“Furthermore,” a team manager interjects, his voice steady, “the results of Mr. Banks’s most recent drug tests have returned. Both his hair and blood samples show no trace of drugs.” He lays the official report on the table with a quiet but firm gesture.
A heavy silence fills the room, eventually broken by the gruff voice of one of the team owners.
“Mr. Banks, we deeply regret that you had to endure this. This must have been both frustrating and disappointing.” He nods at the team representatives around him. “Given the evidence shown here, you are fully reinstated, effective immediately.”
Mark steps forward, his voice calm but resolute. “We appreciate this decision and the commitment to restoring Mr. Banks’s reputation. Wyatt deserves full public support, considering the damage these false allegations have caused.”
The league representative nods in agreement. “We will issue a public statement in support of Mr. Banks and launch an investigation into Mr. Harding’s conduct. During the course of the investigation, Mr. Harding will be barred from play.”
“We’ll also be filing a police report and pressing charges,” a team owner adds, his tone resolute.
A collective exhale fills the space, a wave of relief sweeping over us all. Wyatt’s gaze meets mine, and we share a silent smile that says itall—a victory over adversity, a triumph over betrayal.
In this moment, I know we’ve won more than just this battle. Together, we’ve reclaimed our future, our honor, and the narrative of our lives—stronger, unbroken, and ready for whatever lies ahead.
As people begin to stand and file out, murmurs of relief and quiet congratulations echo softly around the room. I’m returning my tablet to my bag when a pair of polished shoes steps into view. I glance up to see Janelle, her expression a blend of sternness and satisfaction.
“Chloe,” she begins, her voice a mix of command and approval. “You’ve got quite the head on your shoulders.” Her eyes rake over me, as if seeing me for the first time. “I’m impressed with how you handled this, even though you were suspended.”
My fingers freeze mid-fold, and I straighten, blinking at her. “You are?” It comes out more as a squeak than a question.
“Absolutely.” She crosses her arms, but her stance lacks its usual rigidity. “Despite the suspension, I’ve decided that your employment record will remain spotless and…nothing in your contract states that you can’t have a relationship with Mr. Banks.”
“Does that mean…?”
“We’ll see you on Monday. And yes,” a corner of her mouth lifts, almost imperceptibly, “you’re still in the running for vice president.”
“Really?” The word escapes me like air from a balloon. I’d braced myself for the fall, not the catch. “Janelle, thank you so much. You won’t regret this.”
“Prove it,” she says, the wink she tosses me entirely out of character. Then she’s off, her heels clicking with a confident retreat down the hall.
As the door clicks shut behind her, I let out all the air I’d been holding anxiously while waiting to hear what she had to say, my lips curving into a smile that feels like sunrise. I tuck my bag under my arm, suddenly light. Promotion or not, I have Wyatt’s steady presence waiting for me, Jasper’s toothy grin to come home to. With them, I’m already standing on the winner’s podium.
“That sounds promising,” Wyatt says now that it’s only the two of us.
I nod. “Promising, but not the most important thing.”
He raises his brows. “Are you telling me you don’t care if you get that promotion after all? I thought it was the whole reason you took me on.”
I laugh, wrapping my arms around his waist. “It was, but… something more important came up.”
Wyatt lifts my chin, and his lips are on me in a matter of seconds. I melt into him as I breathe in the musk of his heavenly scent, the one I’ve grown to call home.
When he finally pulls away, he flashes me his classic Wyatt Banks smirk. “Let’s get out of here.”
Outside the conference room, a few folks linger in conversation. Spotting Mark and Zach among them, Wyatt leads us over, and Mark greets us with a firm handshake. “Thanks for pulling all of this together, Miss Reed. Couldn’t have gone better.”
