Page 82 of Savage Suit

“This is my first day and nerves overtook me. Megan took time from her myriad obligations to help me.” I turned in her direction, although I didn’t look directly at her. “Thank you for what you’ve shown me. You were the best teacher to share the many eye-opening experiences.”

Facing forward, I stayed silent a moment, hoping my words sunk in.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Ryan Hagen, and it is my distinct pleasure to say I’m a part of KeeganMediaGroup—” I grinned. “See? It took a moment, but it clicked in my brain.”

A smattering of chuckles greeted that.

“It was Noah Keegan who hired me. He interviewed me. Twice. We didn’t see eye-to-eye at that first meeting, and I walked out. He kept me waiting for five hours. It was frustrating and annoying.” I met the gazes of some journalists, but most especially Ingrid Warrington. “Was it for the reasonyouclaimed, Ms. Warrington? No. Mrs. Mikes kept me informed every step of the way. She was solicitous and went out of her way to check on me. When Mr. Keegan arrived, he apologized and explained a company emergency delayed him. As the boss, he owed me no explanation. His time is his own.”

The reporter and I engaged in a staring contest. She didn’t believe me. Dragging my gaze away, I glanced at Quinn again, before assessing the room at large. Their rapt attention encouraged me to continue. Some held notepads, but most had tablets and cellphones.

“Mr. Keegan overlooked my hotheadedness and judged my work instead. I enjoyed my tenure at T.S. Marketing. The company is a small niche firm, fostering creativity and growth. Without Mr. Smith’s faith in me, I wouldn’t be standing before you today.”

There was scribbling and the resuming of the camera noises and bursts of light.

“In the coming weeks, I have a full schedule ahead of me. I look forward to the challenges ahead, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work at such a prestigious and innovative company. Thank you.”

The moment those words left my mouth, questions flew at me from all directions, so when Megan came to the podium, I stepped aside.

“We will take a few select, pre-screened questions,” she announced, then directed an assistant to bring a microphone to the man she pointed to.

“Pre-screened?” I whispered to Reid.

“Megan’s doing,” he replied.

“They invited here me,” a cool voice said, “and yet I wasn’t given the opportunity to submit my questions.”

“They added you at the last minute, Ms. Warrington,” Megan said in the same tone the reporter had used. “Be lucky that you were.”

Ingrid Warrington stiffened. Hostility radiated from her, and I questioned the logic of battling her in front of the world. Then I thought of Noah and Reid’s revelation. I’d at least try a defense of him. When Megan stepped aside so I could answer one of her pre-screened questions, I directed my attention to Ingrid.

“I wanted you here, Ms. Warrington. I wanted you to questionme, instead of gathering skewered information that might cast me in the worst possible light, with no chance for a rebuttal.” I lifted my brow at her. “The floor is yours, so ask me and I will answer to the best of my ability.”

“Ryan!” Megan said sharply, rushing to my side. “Don’t. She isn’t on—”

“Your list,” I finished for her, the smile frozen on my face. No one had cut the mic. Any rebuttal on my part would carry as much as Megan’s annoyance. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but this must be done.”

My words caused bedlam. Questions were tossed at me, flashbulbs almost blinded me, and shutters clicked at rapid speed.

“Everyone, please,” I said, without effect. Uneasy, I glanced at Megan. Her attention was elsewhere. “Unless your uproar settles, I cannot answer questions.”

That statement worked better. Some noise fell away.

“I will answer as many questions as I can,” I said, “once we proceed.”

Again, my words were adequate. Like a receding baseline, the noise faded. I nodded to Ingrid Warrington.

She stood and waited for a mic. “You extol the virtues of Keegan Enterprises as if we should believe a dilettante such as yourself, Ryan. We are aware of why you’ve been hired and paraded in front of us. It’s interesting how you glossed over Noah Keegan, not touching upon his philistinism. As any good cipher.”

“Excuse me,Ingrid,” I interrupted, my temper rising. “If you would pause between each of your—”

“No, excuseyou, Ryan,” she shot back, her eyes blazing. Her issue with Noah was personal. “I don’t expect a reply from you. Noah Keegan hires subparmenbecause he hates women—”

I laughed. “The last time I checked, I had lady parts underneath my clothes.”

Although my genuine amusement garnered chuckles from others, it infuriated Ingrid. I was standing with a lectern inhibiting me. Everyone clearly read her body language, so I stepped from behind the podium and addressed her.

“I told you.” Somehow, Megan looked friendlyandtriumphant. “You’re a little fool.”