My mind instantly goes back to what Cora said about Erin that first time we talked about her.The last director, Erin, was kind of a pushover. She just did what she was asked and no more.She must have been scared out of her mind to speak up. That poor woman—forced to keep quiet and ultimately leave because of this shitty situation Jonathan caused?
Cora speaks up, her eyes wide as saucers, “I had no idea.”
Dayo, still standing, leans forward, their hands firmly planted on the table and bores lasers into Jonathan. “Whether you’re gunning for Cora’s position as CEO or not, her relationship with Jay and Marco isnothingcompared to the scandal you’d cause if this information got around.”
The man has the nerve to look confused. “Are you serious?” he exclaims and pushes himself up off the chair. “You’re all gonna take their side? This is bullshit! Look at what has happened to Define under the direction ofher,” he spits the words right at Cora.
“You know very well that the building collapse wasn’t her fault,” Dayo retorts, pointing to Cora but not looking at her. They’re putting every ounce of focus onto him. “And yet she continues to work her ass off to make sure we stay afloat. All you’ve done is poke the bear.Relentlessly. And it’s exhausting and embarrassing watching you try to undermine her the way that you have. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Holy shit.
Dayo is terrifying.
I look across the table at Horatio and he nods at me. Yup, we’re moving up his suspension meeting to right now.
“This is unbelievable,” Jonathan shakes his head, grabbing his laptop from the table and making his way to the door.
“Hold up,” I tell him and stand, buttoning my suit jacket as Horatio does the same. “Come with me to my office.” I grab my notepad and then pull Cora’s chair out for her as she stands too.
“Meeting is over, everyone,” Cora announces in a clear and commanding tone. “Please email your updates for today.”
Jonathan lets out another exasperated huff and follows me, Cora, and Horatio to my office, where we spend the next fifteen minutes laying out why he is no longer allowed to work at Define. It’s only until the hearing is over, but after that soap opera of a meeting, I’m certain I can put together reasonable cause for permanent removal.
Chapter 10
Scooter
Cora
Present Day
ThenextdayI’mstill vibrating with the intensity from that update meeting and suspending Chris and Jonathan. I went to therapy after work and laid it all out for Dr. Zenner—everything about the case and the meeting. I don’t know what it says about me that I was able to see shock on my therapist’s face, but I did it and I’m owning it.
This mix of emotions is really throwing me for a loop. I can’t tell if it’s embarrassment from Jonathan outing my relationship like that, anger from the way he spoke to us, or utter power from suspending those fuckers. Either way, I’m hoping that helped me appear confident in my new client meeting I just got out of.
Across town, I met with Fredrik, a developer who’s interested in green, eco-friendly co-work spaces. He wants to put several here in Philly and hopefully expand up the coast to New York City and down to DC. Winning this bid here could mean huge potential for new business after the fact. Having Sierra with GreenGrowth Urban Planning as a partner will be clutch in this business. Frederik was actually pointed in my direction from David with Valley Forge Construction. The guys apparently knew each other from a mutual job in the past.
I can’t help noticing the arts campus across the street as I walk into a little coffee shop after my meeting with Fredrik. And a pang of dread washes over me.
I could have had that.
As if my self-deprecation wasn’t enough, after I place my order, I turn to see my former client herself, Maureen Hansel, waiting for her order. Her short, white bob looks just as crisp as her long, forest green dress coat.
Shit.
What should I do?
Do I confront her?
Do I ignore her? No. I can’t. I’ve literally done business with her before. It would be unprofessional to not acknowledge and speak with her. I need to maintain the relationship even though she didn’t accept our quote for the auditorium renovation.
My mind whirs back to that meeting I had with Horatio and Jay when I got the email from her, just days after I submitted the quote package, saying we didn’t win the job.
Anger starts to rise but I push it down.
Not now.
Collecting myself and putting on my CEO smile, I walk up to her as she scrolls her phone. “Hi, Maureen.”
