“What do you mean Evan will be taking over my cases? Has something happened? Have I donesomething wrong?” She cringed inwardly at the needy sound in her voice.
Mr. Stewart cleared his throat loudly and Charli’s eyes shot to him. He pressed his lips together and studied her for a moment, an uncomfortable look on his face. He took a deep breath as if preparing his argument. “As you know, Miss Harris, the Parker case is extremely important to this firm. A large award is expected, not only by the client, but also the board.”
Charli nodded, trying to maintain her cool demeanor, but she could literally hear the blood pounding in her head. “Yes, and we will get that with the summary judgement.”
“I’m sure you think that, Miss Harris. But it is believed by some that a more aggressive associate would achieve better results,” Mr. Stewart continued as if she hadn’t said a word. He motioned to Evan. “Mr. Blake has an excellent record and we believe he would be the best to lead this case, as well as the others you’re working on,” he finished.
Charli inhaled deeply, using the pause to calm her mind, and looked at each man separately. “You do realize that Alan Parker is my client, as well as the others that you want to take from my desk. I’m not so certain that they’d be as appreciative of your efforts.”
As Mr. Stewart’s mouth opened to reply, Charli continued, “In addition, I think my reputation in this firm would establish that I am one of your top associates, if not the best. I brought in nearly two million dollars in legal fees last year alone.” She gestured to the imbecile on her left and scoffed. “Evan can’t touch my record, and everyone knows it.”
Evan’s face flushed and his lip curled. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that. My clients like me better,” he sneered, his tone like a petulant teen.
Charli arched an eyebrow, knowing she had left a mark. “Would those be the four clients whose cases you’ve lost in the last six months? What is your tally again, Evan? Ten and fifteen? Hardly a winning reputation. I don’t even know why you’re still employed at this firm.” She couldn’t stop the corner of her mouth twitching into a smirk at Evan’s reddened face and tightened mouth.
“We’re not here to dispute your successes, Charli,” Mr. Stewart interjected, his tone both impatient and annoyingly patronizing. “We feel that this move is best for the firm. We’ve made our decision and it’s final.”
Charli blinked. “Final?” she echoed quietly, feeling as if she was speaking from the opposite side of a tunnel. Her stomach had dropped to somewhere near the center of the earth and she suddenly felt as ifshe had been ripped from her body and was watching the scene from somewhere near the ceiling. How had this day turned to shit so quickly? “Wait—"
Evan cleared his throat loudly, interrupting her with an arrogant side eye, and stood up from the table. “Well, I guess that’s settled,” he remarked condescendingly as he buttoned his suit coat. He looked to Mr. Davis. “Genevieve and I will see you at the club this evening, sir?”
“Yes, yes,” Mr. Davis boomed, standing as Evan walked around to shake his hand. “We’re looking forward to it, son.”
Son? What the hell is that supposed to mean and what the absolute hell is going on?
Charli looked to Mr. Stewart who refused to meet her gaze. She leaned forward. “Mr. Stewart, please. We need to discuss this.”
He ignored her and stood, shaking hands with Evan and Mr. Davis. “Shall we, gentlemen?” he asked to everyone except Charli, stretching his arm toward the door. The trio seemed to congratulate themselves on a mission well-accomplished as they left the room together in a jovial mood, leaving her sitting at the table, dejected and bewildered.
Charli sat at the table staring at the closed door, her mind numb and wondering if she had just been fired.
She closed her eyes and put her head in her hands, taking another deep breath, and trying to give herself a mental pep talk. But beneath the shock, she could feel rage rapidly building like the molten lava at the center of a volcano. It was simply a matter of time before the pressure overwhelmed her self-control and she exploded.
Pull it together, Charlotte Dorothea. This is just a small setback. Nobody said that you’re fired. In fact, they acknowledged that your work was exemplary. You’ll figure this out somehow.
After several more deep breaths, Charli stood and made her way down to her office, shoulders back and head held high. The gossip mill in the firm was brutal and the last thing she wanted was any whispers of an emotional breakdown, her probable demotion, or even a potential termination floating around.
When she reached her office, she found Annette scrambling around the room, gathering files and boxes. Charli stopped cold in the doorway and snorted derisively. “Well, that didn’t take long.”
Annette jumped at the sound of Charli’s voice, a frazzled look on her face. “Oh my god, Charli. You scared the crap out of me.” She rushed up to Charli and pulled her into the office, closing the door behind them. “Get in here.We need to talk.”
Charli’s lips compressed into a line. “Yes, we do. I have news.”
Annette scoffed, clearly unperturbed at Charli’s sour mood. “No, I have news.” She turned and stared at Charli, hands on her hips. “You need to sit down for this.”
Charli grimaced and her mouth twitched with something approaching disgust. “Annette, I really don’t need more drama after the meeting I just had. If you can even call that a meeting, that is.”
She sat down at her desk and closed her eyes, sighing. The mask of anger and bitterness melted away, leaving only exhaustion and bewilderment in its place. “It was more like an ambush.”
“Uh huh,” Annette agreed. “That’s what I need to tell you.” She quieted for a moment and Charli could hear her settling onto the leather couch set against the wall. “Right after you left for your meeting, Evan Blake’s assistant—you know, that guy Percival? God, he’s such a prick, I can’t stand him. I mean, what respectable man goes by that name? Why wouldn’t he just go by Percy? So much more attractive.”
“Is this going anywhere?” Charli asked as she gently rubbed her temples, trying to ward off the impending headache.
Annette hummed. “Well, Percival walked over and told me to pack up all these files and that Evan was taking over your cases, including the Parker suit.”
“It’s true.” Charli replied dully. “They gave Evan everything.”
“Yeah well, what you don’t know iswhy,” Annette added cryptically. Charli glanced up quickly, her brow furrowed and eyes narrowed, a question on her lips. She froze when she saw Annette lounging comfortably, her eyes gleaming with what long experience had taught Charli could only be barely-contained first-rate gossip.
