You’re just back-office support, Clara, so you’ll stay in Chicago while the executive team flies to Rome, my boss, Julian Kincaid, told me before leaving for his sister's $1.4 million villa wedding.
Back on the terrace, the atmosphere remained strained. Julian, now glued to his phone, barked orders into it, his composure rapidly fraying. He was desperately trying to resolve the “technical glitch” with his Chicago team.
I saw his posture stiffen, his eyes fixed on the screen. He nodded once, sharply. His call ended.
A moment later, my own phone vibrated in my hand. An email notification popped up. It was from Kincaid Private Capital HR.
“Immediate Summary Termination. Effective June 14, 10:45 PM CET.”
The email detailed the revocation of my corporate access, my health insurance, and any outstanding back-pay. Julian’s final, desperate attempt to isolate and pressure me.
I looked up. Julian was watching me, a grim triumph on his face, expecting me to collapse.
Instead, I smiled. It was a genuine smile.
I walked directly towards Marcus Brody, the lead European Lender Representative, who was conversing quietly with Sofia Rossi near a display of champagne bottles.
“Mr. Brody,” I said, interrupting their conversation politely.
He turned, his expression unreadable.
“I just received this,” I stated, holding out my phone. The termination email was clearly visible on the screen. “It appears Kincaid Private Capital no longer has an authorized internal risk officer present to validate their loan covenants.”
Marcus Brody took my phone, his gaze dropping to the screen. Sofia Rossi leaned in, reading over his shoulder. Their faces remained impassive, but their eyes, when they looked up at Julian across the terrace, held a new, pointed scrutiny.
Julian, seeing me present the termination letter, lurched forward, his face a mask of fury. He understood the implications instantly: without me, his own risk officer, he had no one to internally sign off on the deal, even if I suddenly relented. He had just shot himself in the foot.
The clock tower chimed 10:45 PM.
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