Chapter 7
Emily's call came through while I was riding in a cab on my way to Pinnacle Group.
As the city sped by outside, I felt totally carefree, like the sky, clear and bright.
My phone lit up with [Emily Grant - HR] popping up on the screen.
I stared at it for a few seconds before finally picking up, taking my sweet time.
"Hello."
My voice was completely flat, giving nothing away.
"Julia?"
Her tone was careful, but there was a nervous edge she couldn't quite hide.
"Yeah, it's me. What's up?"
I asked it flat out.
There was nothing left between us that needed softening.
"Are you busy right now?"
She was still feeling me out.
"Yes, I am," I said. "I have an interview in a few minutes."
My bluntness seemed to catch her off guard.
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Then, as if she'd finally made up her mind, her voice turned urgent.
She said, "Julia, there's an emergency at the company.
"The transaction system crashed, and the tech team is stumped. They still can't figure out what's wrong.
"Mr. Brooks is hoping you can come back and help us out, he really needs your expertise right now."
I listened, and a small, satisfied smile got away from me. Karma really did work fast.
It was only Monday morning.
It had been less than three days since I left.
And the tech superstar they'd brought in at seventeen thousand a month had already crashed and burned?
"Oh?" I drew the word out on purpose.
I asked, "Peter can't handle it?"
"He's still trying to figure it out," Emily mumbled, clearly embarrassed.
She sounded so awkward that I almost felt sorry for her.
"But it's urgent. Clients are already complaining," she practically pleaded, desperation leaking through every word.
"Julia, I know the company didn't treat you right before.
"But you were here five years. You know this system inside out.
"Can you come back and sort this out for us?
"Mr. Brooks said he won't let you help for nothing. He'll make it worth your while."
Compensation, huh.
What a nice way to dress it up.
All they really wanted was to buy me off with cash and hope I'd cave out of guilt.
They were barking up the wrong tree.
"Emily." My voice was cold as ice.
I cut her off.
"Did you forget? You already ended my contract last Friday.
"I have nothing to do with Voyager Solutions anymore.
"I have no obligation, nor any interest, in cleaning up your company's mess."
My words were cold and hard.
Like an ice pick, they shattered all her phony pleasantries.
"But—" she started.
She still had more she wanted to say.
"No buts," I cut her off again.
I cut her off again.
"If you're paying seventeen thousand a month for top talent, you should trust what they can do.
"I'm the old hire who made 3,300 a month, so I won't get in the way.
"That's it, I'm here now."
I didn't let her say another word before hanging up.
I hung up the phone without a second thought.
Then, I blocked Emily's number, Victor's number, and everyone else from Voyager Solutions, all in one clean sweep.
At last, my world was completely quiet.
The taxi rolled to a stop in front of Pinnacle Group Headquarters.
I paid the fare and pushed open the door.
The sunlight warmed my face.
I took a deep breath of fresh air.
The air was finally free from that stifling, decaying vibe of Voyager Solutions.
All I could smell now was freedom and the promise of a new future.
Victor and Peter's show had only begun.
And I've already got front-row seats.
I was going to sit back and watch the two of them wreck it.