Page 76 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“If I’m the topic of tonight’s meeting, I should probably be present. Don’t you think?”

No one moved.

“What? You have nothing to say now? You all seemed very comfortable discussing me and my last name a moment ago.”

Crissy lifted her chin defensively. “We’re just saying what everyone’s thinking.”

“I’m sure you are. So let me clarify a few things. I did not ask for this position. I was offered it because Nathaniel needed someone he trusted not to bleed this company dry while smiling through it.”

Crissy snorted. “That’s⁠—”

“No,” I said calmly. “You don’t get to interrupt me.”

The room went very still.

“I work long hours. I’m never off the clock and take calls at all times from customers and my boss. Brother or not he expects the best. I manage crises you don’t even hear about. And when I’m not physically here, it’s because I’m doing exactly what I was hired to do—manage clients personally.”

I glanced at Vanessa’s phone.

“As for the meme…yes, I went out. It was on my own time. I made a mistake. I’m certain I could find equally damning photos of each of you if I dug for them. Would you like me to do that?”

No one answered.

“And if any of you believe a meme disqualifies me from leading this division, you are welcome to bring that concern to HR.”

I paused and let my words settle before continuing.

“But before you do…” I leaned forward slightly. “Ask yourselves something. If I weren’t a Mikhailov, would you be this angry? Or would you just be mildly annoyed that none of you got the job?”

Silence.

I picked up my laptop and turned for the door then stopped and looked back.

“If any of you believe I don’t deserve this role, then outwork me. Outperform me. Outthink me. But don’t confuse absence with incompetence. I’m damn good at my job.”

My gaze shifted to Deb.

“When I get back, I’m booking a meeting with you, Deb. Thank you for speaking up.”

She nodded, nibbling her bottom lip.

“As for the rest of you, in case the name on the door didn’t make it clear, I am in charge. If you don’t like it, quit. I’ll have you replaced before your chair has time to cool. But don’t ever speak about this company or me like that again while you work inside these walls.”

I walked out without waiting for a response.

The hallway swallowed me whole as I marched for the elevator. My heart raced, but my hands were steady.

Strength was easy. I had been groomed for moments like that. It came naturally, sharp as a knife with a clean, decisive cut.

Respect was harder.

Respect had to be earned every single day from people who already believed I didn’t belong.

I rolled my shoulders as I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.

They could hate me.

They could resent me.