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Eric looks uncertain. “Where is this going, Mr. Evans? I don’t understand.”
“I think you do,” I give him a knowing smile. “You’ve been getting ideas above your station. Talking about becoming the CEO after I’ve retired because you’ve married my daughter. You really think it’s going to happen?”
“I… Anna said…” he stammers. Like the bumbling idiot he is.
“Don’t listen to what Anna says. She has no idea what she’s talking about,” I stand up and come around the desk. “I didn’t build up this company to have it ruined by someone like you. Your work ethic and how you handle what comes across your desk, from what I’ve heard, is nothing to write home about. It’s why you haven’t had a promotion in a while. And you think you’ll be able to become CEO when I know you’re not a good worker?”
Eric’s face goes pale. “But… but Iama good worker!” he protests. “I do what’s asked of me.”
“That’s not what your manager’s said about you.”
“He’s always had a grudge against me.”
“For what? Why would your manager be jealous of you? Or is he pissed off that he has to redo your work when you don’t even bother to check it over?” I lambast him with my questions to shake him up.
It works.
“What…”
“I had a conversation with him the other day,” I explain. “I’ve had a few things lined up for you, so I wanted to be sure. He, and a few of your colleagues, were happy to tell me how detrimental you are to the department, but they kept quiet because you were first dating Megan and then my daughter. You used them as a shield so you had a fallback just in case someone came after you, believing you had a link to me.”
Eric puts his hands on his hips. “What are you implying, Mr. Evans? Are you saying people have been discriminating against me?”
“They have a good reason to, don’t they?” I challenge him. “You don’t do your job, and when you snuck out for extended lunch breaks or disappearing, they had to cover for you. It wasn’t until you announced your wedding to Anna that they realized what you were up to.”
“She’s your daughter. You’d cut her some slack, wouldn’t you?” he asks, sounding like a spoiled brat. He and Anna are made for each other.
I growl, and that makes Eric take a step back.
“My daughter doesn’t work here. I am your boss, not hers.” He starts to argue, but I cut him off immediately. “You should have said no, but you decided to think with the brain in your pants that the one in your head. On top of that, you go over to Megan and say you’ll take her as a side chick while you’re married? Are you that much of an egomaniac that you thought she would accept it without hesitation?”
“She told you about that?” Eric seems scared for the first time.
“She did,” I reply, not without some smugness. “Give me one good reason why I won’t tell Anna about it. Then again, given how she’s also tormenting Megan, I’m sure she would blame her instead.” I fold my arms. I’m looking forward to this. “With all of this going on, I can’t have you in the building anymore. You’re fired.”
Eric’s mouth drops open. “What? You’re firing me?”
“You’re a bad worker, you neglect your duties, and you’re harassing my personal assistant.” I’m enjoying this a little too much, if there’s such a thing. He deserves all of it and more. “I thought you and Anna were insane to ask Megan to be your wedding planner, but I thought it was a way to keep you in line. All you’ve done is make her miserable. Consider yourself lucky if you get the wedding that you want.”
“We would have the wedding we wanted if you paid for it,” Eric shoots back. “You won’t pay for your own daughter’s wedding?”
I have to stop myself from laughing out loud at how ridiculous he sounds. “Not when she’s a cheater and I don’t support it. You should be grateful that I’m turning up at all. Now, clear out your desk and get out of the building. I don’t want you coming back.”
Eric’s face has gone from white to red. He looks like he’s about to have a tantrum, breathing heavily through his nose.
“You… you can’t do this to me!” he suddenly shouts. “I’m your future son-in-law.”
“And I’m embarrassed about that link,” I confess. “If you wanted me to be proud, you should have pulled your socks up and not cheated on Megan. I’d have some respect for you after that. Now get out.”
“What about the company? Who are you going to give it to, then?” he persists.
I can’t help but laugh at that. The gall of this man-child.
“You really do sound like a gold-digger,” I say, smirking at him. “Don’t be delusional. I’m going to be here for a couple more decades, at the very least. If I contemplate passing this company onto a family member, it won’t be to you. Last chance to get out before I call for security and have you forcibly removed. I’m sure that will be a fun sight for everyone but you if that happens.”
Eric looks ready for a fight. I can see his hands clenched into fists. But he suddenly turns around and storms toward the door, slamming it hard enough that the pictures on the wall shake and rattle. Through the window, I see him barge past Peggy at her desk and out of sight. Peggy looks toward me with a bemused expression.
I shake my head and go over to the big window, looking out into the street far below. Doing something like that felt like both a headache and a weight off my shoulders. I’ll never understand it, but it does feel good to get rid of that leech.
