Chapter 4

"Actually, the main reason I asked to meet you today was that there's something I'd like to talk to you about," I continued.

I pulled out a new business proposal and handed it to Jermaine. It was a proposal from the rival company.

"I'm leaving the company. This company made me a very attractive offer, and they've promised to give me full authority over my accounts.

"If you're willing to keep working with me, I can offer you better pricing than what you're getting now, along with upgraded service."

After Jermaine took the proposal and flipped through a few pages, his eyes lit up.

"Kate, this is exactly what I've been waiting to hear. I only did business with Rupert because of you. Now that you're leaving, why would I stay with them?

"And that new kid? He looks completely unreliable. Done. I'm coming with you. Just tell me when you're ready to sign the contract."

Now that I'd secured Jermaine, I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

My other four key accounts all felt the same way. They trusted me as an individual, not the company name.

Just then, my phone started ringing. It was Rupert.

A furious roar came through the phone.

"Kate Bradford! Where are you? Get your ass back to the office right now! We've got a disaster on our hands!"

I glanced at Jermaine, gave him an apologetic gesture, and stepped aside to take the call.

"Mr. Ribeiro, I took the day off today."

"Screw your day off! The company is about to fall apart!" he barked. "When Carter presented the PowerPoint at the summit, he got publicly called out for falsifying data! The organizers want to blacklist us!"

"And there's a problem with that equipment procurement contract, too! The client's lawyer has just contacted us. What were you even doing when you reviewed that contract? And those slides? Did you do this on purpose?"

Even through the speaker, I could practically feel his spit flying everywhere.

"Mr. Ribeiro, Carter signed the contract, and Carter presented the PowerPoint," I said calmly. "I was just helping out. Besides, I'm just an old employee whose eyesight isn't what it used to be either. How can you possibly blame me for anything that goes wrong?"

"You—"

Rupert was so mad that he couldn't speak for several seconds.

"Get back here! Right now! This instant! If you don't show up, I'm calling the police on you!"

"The police?" I chuckled. "Go ahead. I've been thinking about calling them too. Have you forgotten that all company computers are equipped with monitoring software, Mr. Ribeiro? There's a record of Carter dumping that contract on me and coercing me into putting his PowerPoint together."

"Also, I recorded everything you said in the break room, too. Tell me, Mr. Ribeiro, whose side do you think the police will take?"

The line went dead quiet, save for his heavy breathing.

"Kate, let's talk this out."

His voice had gone stiff, and I could tell he was doing everything he could to keep his temper under control.

"Come back first. We'll sit down and talk this through. Carter definitely stepped out of line. I'll reprimand him. I'll make up your year-end bonus too. 7,000 dollars. No, 10,000 dollars. How does that sound?"

I couldn't tell if it was my imagination, but I could almost hear a hint of groveling in his voice.

But it was too late.

I chuckled.

"Mr. Ribeiro, I'm a little busy at the moment and can't make it back," I said, keeping my tone light. "Whatever it is, we can talk about it when I get to work tomorrow."

With that, I ended the call, powered my phone off, and went right back to enjoying coffee with Jermaine.

…

The next morning, I walked into the office right on time.

The atmosphere was suffocatingly tense, and everyone sat with their heads down, afraid to make a sound.

Carter sat at his desk, looking utterly dejected, like a kid who had just lost a fight.

When he saw me walk in, his eyes flashed with pure venom.