Page 99 of Miss Manage

“Terribly?” I repeated lightly, as if the accusation itself were absurd. “That’s one way to describe a woman turning down a man who’s propositioned her in public and threatened her career.”

Reggie sat up, frowning. “Julian had a different story.”

I shrugged, not bothering to take a seat. I wouldn’t be here long. “Julian says a lot of things when a woman tells him no. But you don’t have to take my word for it; you can read the transcript once it’s published.”

Ronald froze, his expression shifting from red-hot anger to dawning panic. “What transcript?”

I smiled, slow and razor-edged. “The one taken from the recording of him threatening my career in a very public restaurant and confirming what you told Gabriel. That no woman would ever be given the CEO position at Arrow. Unless of course I satisfied him enough to convince you to give it to me.”

Silence settled over the room, sharp and absolute. Reggie’s smirk slipped while Ronald’s color drained as realization took hold. He finally understood I held every piece of the puzzle.

“Consider this my resignation,” I continued, sliding the paper across the table. “Best of luck to your new CEO. He’s going to need it.”

I’d already sent out emails to my favorite clients, letting them know I was moving to Chambers Technology and exactly how to reach me there. One of the first responses had come from William Laurent, CEO of Weber Entertainment, assuring me that wherever I went, his business followed.

Yet another example of how completely they’d underestimated the power of relationships built on respect.

I turned to leave, pausing long enough at the door to look back over my shoulder. “Without me here, it’ll be clear what kind of culture you’ve built. The type which rewards arrogance and punishes integrity. I’ll enjoy watching it collapse.”

And without another glance, I walked out, head high, closing a chapter which had once been everything I wanted and making space for what came next.