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I check my phone and wince. Fifty-seven notifications already. A text from Marcus:
What the hell is happening out there?
I tap out a quick response:
Minor PR issue. Handling it.
The “minor PR issue” is trending on three platforms. A security officer approaches, tablet in hand. “Mr. Cole, we’ve had several complaints about the... incident.”
“From whom?” I ask, sipping my bourbon.
“The cruise director and events manager. They’re concerned about negative publicity.” He shifts uncomfortably. “They’d like you to meet them in the executive lounge.”
Of course they would. Nothing like having your family name on the side of the ship to ensure every staff member treats a PR embarrassment like a national security threat.
“Tell them I’ll be there in ten,” I say, finishing my drink. “After I change.”
In my suite, I swap my champagne-soaked shirt for a fresh one, examining my reflection in the mirror. At least she didn’t throw red wine. Small mercies.
My phone rings—Alexis, my chief of staff, calling from New York.
“Please tell me you didn’t antagonize Dr. Bennett,” she says before I can even say hello.
I press speaker and set the phone down while I button my shirt. “Good afternoon to you too, Alexis.”
“Your face is all over Twitter, Ethan. #ChampagneShower is trending.”
“Sounds festive.”
“This isn’t funny. We specifically invited her to evaluate our environmental initiatives, not to publicly humiliate you.”
“I’d hardly call it humiliation.” I adjust my cuffs. “More like an enthusiastic baptism.”
“You know her research on coral reef preservation is respected worldwide. We need her endorsement for the Green Ocean Initiative, not photos of her throwing drinks at you.”
“She was never going to endorse us. She came looking for a fight.”
“And you gave her one,” Alexis sighs. “What did you say to her?”
I pause, replaying the interaction. “Nothing that warranted a beverage to the face.”
“With you, that could be anything.” The exasperation in her voice is well-earned after five years of managing my public relations disasters. “Fix this, Ethan. Whatever it takes. We need positive press on the environmental front, especially with the Mako Tech acquisition coming up.”
“I’m aware of the stakes.”
“Are you? Because Mako’s board is already nervous about ethical issues. If they see Cole Tech at odds with leading environmental scientists?—”
“I said I’ll handle it.” I check my watch. “Look, I’m late for a meeting with the cruise director. I’ll call you back.”
I hang up before she can list more ways. I’ve screwed up today’s objectives. She’s right, of course. The Mako Tech acquisition is crucial for our ocean drone project, and Harper Bennett’s approval would silence critics. I just didn’t expect her to be so... inflammatory.
Or quite so attractive when she’s angry.
That last thought is unhelpful. I push it away as I head to the executive lounge, where two nervous-looking staff members await.
“Mr. Cole,” the cruise director begins, “we want to assure you that this type of behavior is not tolerated on The Rendezvous. We’re prepared to escort Dr. Bennett off at our next port?—”
“That won’t be necessary,” I interrupt, taking a seat. “In fact, I don’t want any action taken.”