"No."
"Dylan, be reasonable. We're thinking about what's best for the company."
"The company needs talented attorneys like Avery Cole. Moving her would be a mistake."
Board member Rose Taylor, usually an ally, sighs. "What about your objectivity, Dylan? Can you honestly say that your relationship with Atty. Cole doesn't affect your judgment?"
"My judgment is fine."
"Is it?" Richard leans forward. "Because from where I'm sitting, you're putting one person above the needs of hundreds of employees. Your father built this company on principles of—"
"Don't." My voice drops dangerously low. "Don't invoke my father's name to justify your small-minded prejudices."
The room goes silent. I've overplayed my hand, and I know it, but I can't sit here and listen to them tear down everything Avery's accomplished.
"Perhaps we all need time to consider the situation," Rose suggests diplomatically. "This isn't a decision to make hastily."
The meeting ends with nothing resolved, but I can read the writing on the wall. They want Avery gone, and if I keep fighting, they'll start questioning my leadership too.
I drive straight to Avery's apartment, taking the stairs two at a time, my head full of arguments and strategies. But when she opens the door, I can see in her eyes that she already knows. She has been crying. Someone from the board probably called her, warned her, made her feel like she's the problem.
"They want me to transfer," she says without preamble.
"They can want whatever they like. You're not going anywhere."
She steps aside to let me in, and I notice a half-empty wine glass on her coffee table.
"I can't be the reason you lose everything you've worked for." Her voice is steady, but her hands shake as she closes the door. "Your reputation, your family's legacy—"
"None of that matters without you."
"Don't say that." She whirls on me, eyes flashing. "You saved that company, Dylan. You protected hundreds of jobs, you madeyour father proud. And now the board is questioning your judgment because of me."
"Because ofthem. Because of their narrow-minded—"
She presses her fingers to her temples. "Please, just... Can we at least think that option through?"
"You're seriously considering leaving when you were so close to a promotion? Leaving because things got complicated?"
"I'm trying to protect you!"
"I don't need protection. I needyou."
"For how long?" The question explodes out of her. "How long before you resent me for costing you everything? How long before you realize that I'm not worth losing your company over?"
"That will never happen."
"You don't know that." She's spiraling now, pacing her small living room.
The words are out before I can stop them, cruel, sharp, and immediately regrettable. "You're doing exactly what Oliver said you'd do. Running the second things get hard."
Avery flinches like I've struck her, and the look on her face—betrayal, hurt, and confirmation of her worst fears—makes me want to take it back immediately.
"Avery, I didn't mean—"
"Yes, you did." Her voice is quiet now, defeated. "And you're right. This is what I do. This is who I am."
"No, that's not—"
