Chapter 446 - Reassignment II

Chapter 446: Chapter 446 - Reassignment II

Harrison nodded slowly.

"I do."

"Then why are you allowing this?"

"Roxie, there are circumstances you may not fully understand."

"Then explain them to me."

He glanced toward Evelyn.

Roxie followed his gaze and felt another surge of irritation.

Why did he keep looking at his wife whenever she asked him a question?

"Mr. Caldwell, I’m talking to you," she said. "You’re the CEO. You’re the one who makes these decisions, so I’m asking you why you think I should lose my position over a rumor involving you."

Harrison looked uncomfortable.

"I believe some distance would be beneficial for everyone."

Roxie gave a disbelieving laugh.

"That’s it? That’s your explanation?"

Evelyn straightened.

"Miss Jones, I think you’re forgetting who you’re speaking to."

Roxie turned toward her.

"No, Mrs. Caldwell. I’m very aware of who I’m speaking to. And I’m trying to understand why your husband’s marriage has suddenly become my professional responsibility."

Evelyn’s face hardened.

"Watch your tone."

Roxie took a breath.

She could feel herself getting angrier, but she refused to start shouting. That would only give Evelyn another reason to complain about her behavior.

"With respect, Mrs. Caldwell, I’ve done absolutely nothing inappropriate with your husband. If someone is saying otherwise, I’d be happy to cooperate with an investigation. You can ask anyone I’ve worked with. You can review our meetings, our correspondence, whatever you think is necessary."

Evelyn studied her.

"You’re very confident."

"Because I know the truth."

"And what exactly is the truth, Miss Jones?"

Roxie frowned.

"That Mr. Caldwell has been my mentor for six years. He’s supported my career, and I’ve always respected him. That’s all there is to it."

Evelyn gave a quiet laugh before looking toward her husband.

"Is that all there is to it, Harrison?"

He rubbed his forehead.

"Evelyn, please."

Roxie looked between them.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Evelyn ignored her question.

"Tell me something, Miss Jones. How old are you?"

"Twenty-eight."

"And your father?"

Roxie blinked.

"My father?"

"Yes. Your biological father."

Roxie stared at her.

"What does my father have to do with anything?"

"I’m curious."

"About my father?"

Evelyn opened her mouth, but Harrison interrupted.

"Evie, that’s enough."

Roxie turned toward him.

"Mr. Caldwell?"

He looked at her, his expression strained.

"Please excuse my wife. It’s been a difficult few days."

Roxie glanced toward Evelyn, who was now staring at her husband with an expression she couldn’t understand.

What the hell was happening?

She knew the rumors had caused problems in their marriage, but bringing up her father was completely unnecessary.

"Look, whatever is happening between the two of you, I really think you should settle it privately," Roxie said. "I’m here because you called me about my work, and that’s what I’d like to discuss."

Evelyn looked back at her.

"Very well."

She opened the folder on her lap.

Roxie watched her remove several sheets of paper.

"You’ll be placed on paid administrative leave for two weeks, effective tomorrow. During that time, the network will prepare your transition to the sports division."

Roxie stared at her.

"Administrative leave?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I’ve already explained the circumstances."

"No, you’ve explained why you want me away from your husband. You haven’t explained why that requires putting me on administrative leave."

Harrison cleared his throat.

"It’s a temporary measure while management reviews the situation."

She looked at him, incredulous.

"Mr. Caldwell, I’m asking a very simple question. If I’ve done something wrong, tell me what it is. If someone has accused me of misconduct, I want to know what they’re accusing me of. But if there are no complaints and no violations, then what exactly am I being investigated for?"

Harrison exchanged a glance with his wife.

Evelyn closed the folder.

"The decision has already been made, Miss Jones."

Roxie looked at her for a long moment.

She wanted to argue again. She wanted to demand that Harrison call the news director right now and explain why he was removing one of the network’s evening anchors over office gossip.

But she was beginning to understand something that made her angrier than the reassignment itself.

They weren’t asking for her opinion.

They’d already decided what would happen, and this meeting was simply their way of informing her.

Roxie turned toward Harrison again.

"Are you really going to let this happen?"

He met her eyes.

"Roxie, I think it’s best for everyone."

She stared at him, waiting for something more.

Nothing came.

Her grip tightened around her handbag.

She’d known this man for six years. She’d sat across from him in this very office discussing assignments, promotions, and career opportunities. He’d encouraged her when she doubted herself, and she’d trusted his judgment even when she disagreed with him.

Now she was asking him to defend her, and he could barely look at her.

"Okay," she said slowly. "Then tell me something. When these rumors disappear, will I get my position back?"

"We’ll review the arrangement when the circumstances improve."

"That’s what you’ve been saying since I walked in. I want to know whether my evening anchor position will still be mine."

Harrison hesitated.

"I can’t make that promise right now."

Roxie felt her stomach drop.

"So you’re telling me I could lose my position permanently."

"That’s not what I’m saying."

"But it’s possible."

He remained silent.

Roxie looked down at the folder in Evelyn’s hands.

She could refuse. She could tell them exactly what she thought of their decision and walk out of the building tonight.

But then what?

Resigning would mean leaving the program she’d worked so hard to become part of. She had no intention of allowing this ridiculous situation to destroy everything she’d accomplished, and she knew the company had the authority to remove her from the broadcast schedule while management reviewed the matter.

She had enough money to support herself without working, but that had never been the reason she pursued journalism.

She loved her job.

She wanted to keep doing it.

And she hated that the people sitting across from her knew how much it meant to her.

Roxie pressed her lips together before looking at Harrison again.

"I want everything in writing."

Evelyn frowned.

"Excuse me?"

"The reason for my administrative leave, the details of the reassignment, and any changes you’re proposing to my contract. I also want written confirmation that I haven’t been accused of misconduct."

Harrison nodded.

"Of course."

"And I want my lawyer to review everything before I sign anything."

Evelyn shifted in her chair.

"Is that really necessary?"

Roxie turned toward her.

"Yes, Mrs. Caldwell. It’s necessary."

For a moment, Evelyn looked as though she wanted to argue, but Harrison raised his hand.

"That’s perfectly reasonable, Roxie. I’ll ask Human Resources to prepare the documents."

Roxie nodded.

"Good."

She reached for her handbag and stood.

"Is there anything else?"

Harrison stood as well.

"Roxie, I want you to understand that this has nothing to do with your abilities as a journalist. You’ve accomplished remarkable things here, and I’m proud of what you’ve achieved."

Roxie stared at him.

For some reason, hearing him say that made her chest tighten.

He’d told her he was proud of her before. When she’d received her first promotion, when she’d won her award, and when she’d been offered the evening anchor position.

She’d always been happy to hear it.

Tonight, she wished he’d kept it to himself.

"Then I wish you’d acted like it."

Harrison lowered his gaze.

Roxie looked toward Evelyn, who was watching her quietly.

"Good evening, Mrs. Caldwell."

"Good evening, Miss Jones."

Roxie turned toward the door.

"Roxie."

She stopped when Harrison called her name.

He was standing behind his desk, looking at her with an expression she couldn’t quite understand.

"I’m sorry."

Roxie swallowed.

She wanted to ask him why he was apologizing if he believed he was doing the right thing. She wanted to know why he couldn’t simply tell his wife that the rumors were false and that she deserved to keep her position.

Instead, she looked at him for a moment before answering.

"So am I, Mr. Caldwell."

She opened the door and walked out.

Samantha looked up when Roxie passed the reception desk, but Roxie only managed a small smile before continuing toward the elevators.

She pressed the button and waited, staring at the illuminated numbers above the doors.

Her hands were trembling.

Roxie looked down at them and frowned. She’d managed to keep herself composed throughout the entire meeting, even when Evelyn started asking ridiculous questions about her father, and now her fingers wouldn’t stay still.

She tightened her grip on her handbag just as the elevator arrived.

Once inside, she leaned against the wall and stared at her reflection.

Sports.

They were actually sending her to sports.

She almost laughed.

She’d spent six years establishing herself as a news journalist, and now she was supposed to start covering professional athletes because Harrison Caldwell’s wife wanted her away from the executive floor.

How was that supposed to work anyway?

Did they expect her to arrive at the sports department, introduce herself, and announce that she was their newest correspondent because someone thought she was sleeping with the CEO?

Roxie rubbed her forehead.

God, this was embarrassing.

Her phone vibrated.

She pulled it out and found another message from Angela.

Are you still in the meeting?

Roxie stared at the screen, wondering how she was supposed to explain everything that had happened.

After a moment, she pressed the call button.

Angela answered immediately.

"Roxie? Finally. We’re about to eat without you."

"Angela."

There was a pause.

"What happened?"

Roxie leaned against the elevator wall and closed her eyes.

"Apparently, I’m going on vacation."

"What?"

"Two weeks. Paid leave. Isn’t that wonderful?"

"Roxie, what are you talking about?"

She opened her eyes and watched the floor numbers change.

"I’m being transferred to sports."

"Sports?"

"Yes. Sports."

"Why?"

Roxie laughed, although she could feel her eyes beginning to sting.

"Because apparently, being good at my job means absolutely nothing when your boss’s wife thinks you’re sleeping with her husband."

Angela went silent.

Then she said, "What the fuck?"

Roxie nodded to herself.

"Exactly."