54
YOU’RE FIRED
The following afternoon Coltonsat at Chad’s desk while they scrolled through archived email. “Open theCompleted Dealsfolder,” Colton said.
Inside that folder was one titledDeep Six. Chad clicked on that and dozens of emails populated the page. Together they read a few.
“After Brigit told me how she’d been treated, I knew I’d find something,” Colton said. “This is reprehensible.”
“You’ve never seen these emails?” Chad swiveled to face Colton.
“No.”
“How did this happen? You have a guiding hand in every aspect of the business.”
“When Mitus Consulting failed, Vanessa stayed, even though I couldn’t pay her a salary. I never suspected her loyalty came with such a high price.” Colton’s hands tightened into fists.
Vanessa had dismissed a potential opportunity with a successful Northern Virginia commercial real estate company. And she’d rejected a meeting request with a start-up cosmetics company that had become an industry giant.
“SGV Cosmetics had one of the biggest IPOs in the past five years.” Colton’s pulse kicked up. “Not only did she sabotage my business, she negatively impacted my reputation as a businessman.”
“Hmm,” Chad said after reading several more emails. “I see a pattern. She only rejected the women. I think she wanted to keep them away from you.”
“She cost me millions,” Colton bit out. “Send those emails to my printer. Three years ago I promoted Vanessa to staff manager and hired Red to backfill her position. Check Red’s archived email.”
Chad clicked over. “Looks like Red was burning the midnight oil and engagingeveryonewho contacted you.”
“My business surged around that time,” Colton said. “I could barely keep up. Find the emails from Eve Francesco.” Colton strummed his fingers on Chad’s desk.
“Got ‘em,” Chad said after searching. “There’s one response. Did you send this reply to her?”
Ms. Francesco,
Thank you for your interest in Mitus Conglomerate. My future plans with the Francesco Company do not include you. In light of that, I’m not comfortable reviewing your plan, whatever its perceived value and merit. And please, no more drop-ins.
Best wishes,
Colton Mitus
“Hell, I never even knew she’d reached out to me.” Colton pushed out of the chair and headed for the door. “No wonder Brigit despised me.”
“Are you speaking with Vanessa?”
“I’m way past talking.”
“I doubt she’ll go quietly. I’m here if you need me.”
On his way back to his office Colton texted Vanessa.Meet me in my office. Blood pounded in his temples as he grabbed the printed emails and waited at his conference table.
A moment later Vanessa stood in his doorway. “You need me?”
Once a model employee, she looked like a tramp. Her low-cut sweater and miniskirt were better suited for a nightclub than the workplace. When he’d instituted casual Fridays, he still expected his employees to dress like professionals. By tomorrow, her attire and her crafty ways would be history.
“Vanessa, have a seat.” Firing employees was his least favorite task, but in this case, she deserved to go.
She pushed his office door closed with such force, it slammed shut. “Oops, don’t know my own strength.” She perched on the edge of the chair and arched her back.
She looks like she’s posing for a centerfold.“You know I’m not one for small talk, so I’ll get right to the point.” He slid over the two emails. “Tell me about these.”
