He heard chairs and chatter clatter in an uproar behind him. He grinned as he strode toward his office. His family would be right behind him.

Good, he thought. Rajneet needed all the support she could get, and now that his family knew where he stood, they’d support her, too.

Come on, Raj. Whatever it is you’re doing, you have the Singhs behind you.

Chapter Twenty-Three
Rajneet

Raj knew that she couldn’t hide in Ajay’s penthouse forever. She wasn’t the hiding type. Furthermore, despite the shame she’d felt when she first read the article, she had nothing to be ashamed of. Yes, her secrets were uncomfortable, but they were hers. She’d made her life choices and reaped the benefits of what she’d sown.

Harnette had just left with instructions about the press conference in two hours. Now all Raj had to do was finalize her statement and wait for her assistant to come pick her up to take her to the location. She’d just trimmed her opening paragraph when she received the one call she’d been dreading since she saw the article.

“Kia,” she said with as much briskness as she could muster.

The other woman didn’t even bother with pleasantries. “You have some serious enemies, Raj. I’m so sorry about the article.”

“I’m sorry that my life is written like a salacious tabloid, but not about the contents.” She reached down and picked up Khunda to cuddle. Ajay’s view of New York was therapeutic as she stepped up to the glass, phone and puppy cradled in her hands. “Are you calling to tell me that I’m no longer considered for the position of chairwoman and CEO of Gen One?”

Kia let out a sigh. “No, actually. I’m not.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m not going to rescind my nomination of you for the position. I think you’re a strong, hardworking woman who has made choices to get the career that you’ve wanted. I am not judging you, I’m commending you.”

Kia’s words had Raj staggering into the nearest chair. “I don’t understand . . .”

“Honey, what kind of woman would I be, what kind of leader would I be, if I judged the path of other women and leaders in this country? Hell no. I’m not going to do that to you. But the board is a different story. I’m calling to let you know that I don’t think they’ll support my nomination. I’ve gotten a few concerning calls this morning, and I’ve done my best to voice my support, but this position is going to be a bigger battle than even I anticipated. I’m so sorry, Raj. I’ll do my best, but I can’t promise anything.”