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He’s actually freaking pleading.
“I can give you a senior spot on my team,” he whimpers. “You’ll be well paid, more than what you’re earning at Clement’s firm. I could even double your pay. What’s your price?”
“I don’t want your money, Steven.”
“What about all the support I gave you, huh? What about my mentorship? What about the effort I’ve put in for you?”
“You used me,” I reply. “You played me. You took my trust, and you crushed me. In public. On the most important day and deal of my life. I thought we were friends. I respected you, and I was loyal to you, but you ruined all that for your own greed. And even now, you can’t admit that, and instead, you’re trying to bribe me. I’ve been believing in second chances recently, but you’ve just shown that you don’t deserve one from me.”
He’s almost close to tears now on the other end. I didn’t know how much of a master manipulator Steven actually was.
“Please, Jolie, don’t do this to me...”
A few weeks ago, I would’ve yielded to the emotion. But not today. Not with Fabien’s support.
Today, I feel strong.
I open my eyes.
“It’s just business, Steven.”
And then it comes – the realization that the game’s up for him. I’ve used his logic and his words against him.
And now comes the anger.
“You bitch...”
But before he can even finish his sentence, I hang up on him. One press of the red button, and it’s goodbye, Steven. Forever.
Now it’s done. I’ve rewritten my story. No one owns me.
I look up. Fabien’s walking toward me, concern etched on his face. He can sense something’s up.
“Who was that?” he asks, nodding at my blank phone screen.
I smile at the man, gratitude warming my heart.
“A nobody. Doesn’t matter.”
Fabien nods.
“How are you feeling now it’s all over?” he asks.
“Good,” I reply. “Really good. I feel like I could take on the world right now.”
“You have, Angel. And you won. Let’s get a drink together to celebrate.”
“Yes, that does sound like the correct thing to do,” I say happily. “The rest of the world can wait until tomorrow.”
Suddenly, the front doors of the art gallery swing open with a shattering bang.
And in comes Clement. And he’s coming right at us.
There’s no way... this must mean only one thing.
I look over in shock, seeing murder in my brother’s eyes.
Holy shit.
