"I decided to do what's best for the company."
"By lying. By manipulating. By using Harper as a pawn in your corporate game."
"Ms. Beaumont made her own choices. The fact that she was in contact with FoodFirst at all made her a liability."
"She told them no. On Thanksgiving. Before I asked her to be my girlfriend. Before any of this became complicated."
"And yet you fired her anyway." Patricia smiles slightly.
The accusation is like a bullet to the chest—a bullet that there is no emotional bullet-proof vest for.
Because I was terrified out of my mind.
Because I couldn't trust that my feelings are real. Because I’d rather have pushed her away than risk being hurt again.
"You're fired," I say.
"Excuse me?"
"You're fired. Effective immediately. Security will escort you out. You have fifteen minutes to collect your personal belongings."
"You can't fire me. I'm on the board."
"I can fire you from your executive position. And I can recommend to the board that you be removed entirely for corporate espionage and breach of fiduciary duty."
Patricia's calm facade finally cracks. "You have no proof."
"I have my testimony. I have this conversation. And I'm betting if I subpoena your phone records and emails, I'll find plenty of proof." I pull out my phone. "Security is on their way up. I suggest you use your fifteen minutes wisely."
"This isn't over, Victor."
"Yes, it is."
She stares at me for a long moment, then turns and walks toward her office with her head held high.
I call security. Then I call Rachel, in that order.
"Victor?" She sounds surprised. "It's Saturday. Why are you?—"
"Patricia Franklin has been working with FoodFirst. She's the one who sent the screenshots. She's been orchestrating a coup to remove me as CEO and position herself as my replacement."
Silence.
"Rachel?"
"I'm going to need you to repeat that. Slowly."
I do. I tell her everything—the phone conversation I overheard, Patricia's confession, the FoodFirst partnership, Alexei trying to help.
By the time I'm finished, Rachel is cursing in three languages.
"I'm coming to the office," she says. "Don't let Patricia leave until I get there. We need documentation. Witnesses. This is—fuck, Victor, this is bad."
"I know."
"But it also means—" She pauses. "Harper was telling the truth. About everything."
"I know that too."
