Family (It's What You Are) | Port Orthos 2

chapter 9: marius's determination

chapter 9: marius's determination

~marius~

       I constantly glance at my watch, wondering why my meeting with Sean hasn't started yet. We scheduled to meet ten minutes ago, which may not seem like that it's too late, but it is to me. I'm too anxious about this meeting. I just want to get everything sorted out.

       Clark is in my office with me since I told him to take notes of the meeting. If, for some reason, Sean refuses to cooperated with me, I need to get all the proof I could if I do have to sue him and Amber for defemation.

       I look at Clark, who's typing away on his tablet. "Has Sean said anything about being late?"

       Clark checks his messages before he shakes his head. "No, he hasn't. Sorry."

       "Clark."

       "Right. Don't apologize for something that isn't my fault. Sorry."

       "I'll accept that sorry, but not the other one. Try to have more confidence, okay?"

       Clark nods, but I know it's not something he will automatically have. He is still working towards it, but he does have more confidence than he had when he first started the job. Still not enough, but he is improving, and that's all that matters.

       My laptop finally dings with the video chat request from Sean. I accept it, but instead of a greeting, I jump into the conversation. After all, I'm very annoyed with him right now. "Why did Amber create those lies about me? I didn't agree to the PR relationship for a reason."

       "Look, Amber has been struggling getting her name out there," Sean says. "She's very talented, but it's sometimes hard for the tabloids to pay attention to her. She needed some sort of scandal."

       "Yes, I'm aware of your intentions," I say. "And I get it. I do. I get that celebrities sometimes create stories for attention. But the thing is, those stories shouldn't be harming anyone. Her lies is damaging my image, and I am not okay with it."

       "It's not going to do that much damage. Most people wouldn't care about it."

       "That's a lie, and you know it. Look, the reason I requested this meeting was so we could settle this. I need you to tell Amber to take back the lie."

       "I'm afraid that I can't do that."

       "And why not?"

       "Because it would completely destroy her reputation. No one would be able to trust her again if she comes out and says it was just a lie."

       "And her lies isn't destroying my reputation? No one will be able to trust me if she doesn't come clean."

       "Okay, I'll tell you what we can do. She can say that she was mistaken about you cheating on her, and that you were really working with multiple people to plan an amazing surprise for her."

       "So the only way for her to make it seem like I'm not a serial cheater is to enter a PR relationship with her? Even though I already refused it? That's manipulation. It's blackmail, and I'm not going to accept it. And it's highly likely that even if I do, the media and anyone reading it will twist it to make it seem like I manipulated her to get back together with me."

       "I'm afraid those are my only terms."

       "Fine. Then I'm afraid that I'll have no choice but to sue."

       Sean's eyes widened at my threat as if it didn't even cross his mind that this entire time, I could just sue them for defamation since there absolutely isn't any proof that I was ever in a relationship with Amber. He then regains his composure, clearing his throat before saying, "Now, you don't have to go that far. Let's talk about this."

       "I gave you the chance to talk, and you should consider yourself lucky that I even gave you the chance. You refuse to cooperate. That's on you. You'll be hearing from my lawyers." I end the call before closing my laptop, sighing heavily. The last thing I wanted to do was to go through all the hassle of dealing with the courts, but Sean and Amber brought it upon themselves. I gave them a chance, and they refused to take it.

       Even if Amber does decide to rescind the lies, I think I'm still going to sue. It wouldn't be surprising if the media ends up saying that I threatened Amber to take back the lies. That will make me seem even worse. Suing is the only option, and I have to go through with it.

        "Would you like me to contact your lawyer?" Clark asks.

       I nod. "Yes, that would be a huge help."

       As Clark sends an email out to my lawyer, he says, "Look on the bright side. I was present at this meeting and heard the entire conversation. I can be a witness if you need it and say that you two did discuss the fact that the whole thing is a lie."

       I smile. "Yeah, that's true. I'm not afraid of losing, though. Amber won't have anything to prove that we were ever in a relationship." If I do have to prove that I've been in a different relationship for four years this entire time, I can easily do that. I do have social media, but it has always been private. It's why no one who has been following me in the media know about my private life.

       I have a lot of pictures of not only Fawn, but our daughters on there as well. The only issue is that I really don't want my private life to get out there. I might hold it off as long as I could, but at least Fawn already told me he's okay with it getting out there despite him being a lot more private than me. I mean, he doesn't even have social media. He's barely online as it is.

       I just hope everything is sorted out fast so I don't have to worry about my name getting dragged through the mud anymore.

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lol yeah so if amber does decide to say that it was a lie the whole time, marius will still sue. as he should 😌