Chapter 3
I'd been on guard, knowing Serena would try to drop the price to make herself look good. The quote I gave her was already at rock bottom, barely breaking even.
If she knocked off another ten percent, we'd be bleeding money.
Finn paused, clearly tempted by that rock-bottom price.
He hesitated for a moment, then, to everyone's surprise, turned back.
"Ms. Doyle, can I take your word for it?" he asked.
"Of course, I'm the one in charge," Serena declared, thumping her chest and pushing him to sign the letter of intent.
Just then, Carter rushed in, probably because my call had him all anxious.
He walked in right as Serena was handing Finn the pen to sign.
"Carter." Serena fluttered over like a butterfly. "We did it. Mr. Murphy said yes without even thinking."
Carter's face started to light up, but I jumped in right away.
"Mr. Sullivan, maybe you should read the contract before you start celebrating," I said.
Carter's smile froze instantly.
He snatched the letter of intent, his hands shaking as he stared at the numbers.
"T-This price?" he stammered.
"Serena slashed another ten percent off our lowest price. If we sign this, we're not just making zero profit, we're actually paying out of pocket, losing at least 10 million," I said.
Serena's face went pale with panic.
"Carter, I-I only did it to lock in the deal," she blurted out.
"Shut up," Carter snapped, shooting her a death glare. But the next second, he turned on me like I was his punching bag.
He snapped, "Rebecca, were you stood here and let this happen? You saw everything. Why didn't you stop her? Did you really just watch us bleed money?"
He jabbed a finger at my nose, his face twisted with rage.
"Let me make this clear. You're taking the fall for this. Go talk to Mr. Murphy right now and fix the price. If this contract gets signed at that price, you're out. Resign and own up to your screw-up," he added.
It was crystal clear. He was dead set on showing me the door.
Instead of heading back to the office, I made a beeline for a high-end office tower on the East Side.
I was there to meet someone, Felix Abrams, Carter's biggest business rival.
Felix gave me a look, part curious, part sizing me up.
"Why should I trust you, much less help you?" he asked.
I didn't back down, meeting his eyes.
"Because I know all the key moves and strategies Carter's company is planning for the next decade," I said.
Felix's laid-back vibe disappeared; his eyes sharpened as he leaned in, suddenly paying close attention.
"Oh? The next decade? Ms. Brooks, is this supposed to be a joke? Why should I believe you can actually pull this off?" Felix challenged.
"Because I can tell you right now, Carter's planning to buy an instrument factory next month, and it's got the patent you both have been chasing," I replied.
I saw the shock flicker in Felix's eyes and didn't miss a beat.
I said, "Believe it or not. My terms are simple. While we're working together, I want an actual VP role at Abrams Group, with real power. And I want my half back. What's rightfully mine, I mean."
Felix stared at me in silence for a full minute.
Finally, a knowing smile tugged at his lips as he reached out his hand.
"Ms. Brooks, no, Rebecca. Welcome to Abrams Group," he said.
Back at Sullivan Group, I packed up my things and headed straight to Serena's desk.
"Serena, here's my resignation letter. Please pass it along," I said.
Serena froze for a moment before excitement glowed on her face.
"Ms. Brooks, guess you finally realized where you stand. Other than meeting Carter a few years before I did, what else do you really have?" she sneered.
She stood up.
She said, "Why don't you go home and enjoy being a trophy wife? With Carter and me running things, the company's bound to thrive. We'll keep you comfortable, so just relax."
With that, she sashayed into the CEO's office.
A few minutes later, she came out and flung my signed resignation letter right at my feet.
"There you go. Now get lost. You're an eyesore," she sneered.
I bent down slowly, picked up the paper, and brushed it off.
"Well, here's hoping you and Mr. Sullivan take the company to new heights," I said.
Carter and Serena owed me and I would make sure they pay it all back, with interest.