Now I’m even more fucked. I purposely left their connection out of any conversations with him for fear he’d think they were trying to take down the company.
I’m losing control of this playing out the way I planned. My insides blow up with the grenade Cindy pulled the pin on and rolled out before the board.
Cindy keeps delivering bombs. “Miss Fisher and Jamison Stone were seen coming out of a room together at the launch. They were clearly engaged in something of a personal nature. The last picture in that stack will explain what I mean.”
The board members flip to the last picture. Jonah reaches for his stack and pulls out the photo.
He holds it out low so I can see it. Jamison and Dorothyare going into the closet holding hands—something I didn’t know.
Instantly, I grow lightheaded. I loosen my tie and desperately try to come up with an excuse. For the first time in my career, I’m at a loss for words. I have no idea how to handle this.
My feelings for Dorothy cloud all my rational thoughts. I’m afraid I’ll only say something that will worsen the situation. My stomach cramps as the weight of the situation takes hold.
Gerald and Douglas exchange confused looks with my dad. A cold dread settles over them.
Each glance they share tells a chilling premonition of what was to come. I peer over at Jonah, begging him with my eyes to help paint her in a better light.
Please, Jonah.
Save her from this mess.
He clears his throat. “I know Dori and Jamison outside of work. They’re not in a relationship.”
“Can you be sure of that?” Cindy asks.
Jonah can’t tell them all he knows without jeopardizing Dorothy even more. We’re stuck. Dorothy has a relationship with Jamison and didn’t come to work today because she refuses to leave his side.
That fact reminds me they were all over the news together when he was shot. It looks terrible. Jonah subtly shakes his head as his eyes drop to the table.
Cindy nods. “According to our bylaws, we must take action immediately and terminate Miss Fisher’s contract before she can harm the company.”
My dad stands. “I think we are jumping to conclusions and should have her called to this meeting to explain.”
And now I know she’s fucked, which makes me fucked as well.
With my mouth dry as dust, I swallow and square my shoulders. “She’s not in today.”
“Where is she?” The tone in my dad’s voice is full of warning.
I stare into his eyes, trying to send him pleading messages of understanding.
His expression grows dark. “Hunter, do you know where she is?”
I glance at Jonah, and he lowers his head. There’s no way out of this debacle.
I brace myself and pretend to be made of iron. “She’s at the hospital.”
The board members gasp when they realize why she’s not here at work. A memo went out to the company late Friday, asking for everyone to hold Jamison in their thoughts as he was fighting for his life from a gunshot wound.
I have no leg to stand on, and Dorothy’s fate is sealed. Her position in the company is stripped within five minutes of the realization. Jonah’s given the task of delivering the news as I drown in hopeless doom.
How did this get so out of my control?
I’m half waiting for someone to suggest they vote me out of the business, but it doesn’t come. That’s my only reprieve.
When the meeting comes to a close, I’m a beaten, sweaty mess. My insides are weakened to the core.
My dad is so upset he doesn’t even take a minute to discuss the situation with me before he leaves. Jonah excuses himself, telling me he has to prepare himself mentally to fire Dorothy.
