“That’s appreciated. But I need more than an apology.”
He nodded.
“Tell me what you need.”
“I need my employment records preserved. I need medical care that doesn’t leave me with bills I can’t afford. I need the staff who witnessed this to know they won’t lose their jobs for speaking honestly.”
Ronan listened.
“And I want the police to hear my account before anyone from your office starts telling people this was an unfortunate misunderstanding.”
He met her eyes.
“Agreed.”
Ivy held his gaze.
“Mr. Blackwood, I don’t want a favor.”
“What do you want?”
“I want this treated as something that actually happened.”
He nodded slowly.
Then he stood.
“I’ll make sure you’re given the opportunity to report it without interference.”
Ivy watched him leave.
She wasn’t certain she trusted him.
But at least he had stopped asking why no one had warned him and started listening to what she was saying.
In the library, Vivienne was waiting beside the fireplace.
She had removed her white gloves.
Her engagement ring glittered against the stem of a crystal glass.
When Ronan entered, she stood.
“Finally. We need to talk about how you’re going to repair this.”
He stopped beside the desk.
“Repair what?”
“My reputation. You embarrassed me in front of two hundred people.”
Ronan stared at her.
“I watched you strike a woman with a riding crop.”
Vivienne rolled her eyes.
“Oh, please. She’s perfectly fine.”
