Chapter 4

I stood my ground. "I've stuck by you for six years, Mr. Hawthorne. When we were scraping bottom, we didn't even have a water cooler, and we had to stock our own toilet paper. But back then, you started me out two grand more than the others.

"Now that the company's thriving and my baseline projects are clearing five million dollars, you won't even put me on an even playing field with an intern. Why is that?" I locked eyes with him, waiting for the final blow that would make me walk away for good.

Mr. Hawthorne tugged at the corner of his lips and instinctively reached for a cigarette. "Sophia, I seriously didn't want to spell it out for you in this manner, but since you're forcing my hand, let me lay it out for you; it's because you're a woman!"

"Okay, and?"

The fat on his face suddenly quivered. "I've done my research. Do you know the percentage of female executives in Fortune 500 companies? 21%!

"In fact, there are elite corporations out there with zero women in the C-suite. What does that tell you? Biologically speaking, women just don't measure up to men!"

"But my sales revenue has consistently been number one in this company," I bit back.

He scoffed. "So what? Aren't you going to tie the knot with Mr. Brooks any day now?"

I stiffened. "So what if I am?"

"So, you've lost your value," he explained in a deadpan, matter-of-fact tone. "Think about it; once you marry him, you'll have to stay home and be a traditional housewife, and once you have kids, you'll have to be a good mother. How are you going to juggle a job and a household?

"If the company keeps you on, we'll be on the hook for your marriage leave, maternity leave, and childcare leave down the road. Who's going to cover those losses for us? Besides, everyone on the internet claims that women lose their edge after marriage.

"You're 28 now; you're basically 30, and menopause is just around the corner. The market is flooded with fresh, young talent. Why the hell should I keep you on the payroll?"

The warmth had completely drained from my eyes. "My performance is unmatched," I stated apathetically.

"You're a woman. For all I know, you got those clients in bed," he grumbled under his breath.

"I'm highly capable."

"No matter how capable you are, it doesn't change the fact that your boyfriend's the one running the department," he sneered.

"I've been with this company for six years. I built this place up from scratch. I have the highest seniority here."

"And that's the only reason I haven't cut you loose. I even offered to give you a raise. 5% is nothing to sneeze at."

I checked out of the conversation. Staring at the glass of water in front of me, I let the silence stretch.

Mr. Hawthorne reached out and patted me on the shoulder. "Come on, let's put a smile on that face. I'll do you a favor and round it up to a clean seven grand. Consider your resignation revoked. So long as you work hard, the company will take care of you.

"Oh, right, the signing ceremony with Imperium Group is on the books for tomorrow, isn't it? Make sure you prepare well. This is our biggest project of the year. Don't let me down!"

Imperium Group was a client I had been managing for three years. Within the industry, it had always been renowned for a corporate culture that respected women's rights in the workplace and opposed gender discrimination. In a delicious twist of fate, their newly minted CEO, Cecilia Waverly, was a powerhouse of a woman who had once suffered from severe workplace discrimination.

Lifting my gaze to look at the beaming man, I rose from my chair. "Rest assured, Mr. Hawthorne, I won't let you down."

With that, I spun on my heel and left. Hidden inside my breast pocket, the voice recorder and mini-cam—which had been rolling the entire time—cast a faint, barely noticeable red glow.

…

For once, sleep eluded me that night. I wasn't sure if justice would be served tomorrow. I only knew that certain actions must be taken, and someone had to take them. I was willing to be the brave pioneer.

At 8:00 am, I arrived at the company right on time, and everything was business as usual.