Chapter 39
Rilla
The saying is, “You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.” But I’m going to need something stronger than that.
The tension in this room is palpable. It’s thick and heavy. If it had a tinge of color to it, you wouldn’t be able to see through the dense fog of it. I’d need an ax or maybe a chainsaw to slice through it.
But I don’t have to endure it alone.
There are three women sitting on my left and two more on my right. We all chose to sit on one side of the table, making it feel like it’s us against them even more.
Ingrid is directly to my right. It’s been just over two weeks since Logan reached out to her. She showed up in his office the very next day with four others, including Alix. She said that there are others as well, but they weren’t prepared to come forward at this time. Together, we presented ourselves to Human Resources and filed a formal complaint against Bryce.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming today.” Alyson Summers has a reputation for being a beast in the publishing industry. The president of Thompson And Daye is as formidable as they come. She’s dressed like she’s meeting Logan’s mom for lunch at the country club, her pale blue suit and perfectly styled coif screaming, “I own a summer home on the Cape”. But her expression is one of a natural-born leader. She appears calm and collected, her body language exuding strength. The woman could deliver a Ted Talk on power posing.
She takes her seat between the two women sitting across from us. “You already know Joanna from HR. And this is Zoya from our legal team.”
Maybe I should have taken my dad up on his offer to accompany us to this meeting. He’d given me strict instructions on what questions to answer and when to ask for a representative. If things go south, I know he’s only a phone call away.
“When Joanna brought your complaints to me, we began our investigation immediately. We wanted to make sure that we followed the proper procedure in the event that this would end up in court.”
I can feel uneasy looks being exchanged around me, but I keep my eyes on Alyson.
“When HR brought the complaints to Mr. Thompson, he did not deny them. In fact, he informed them to, and I quote, ‘just handle it like last time.’”
There is a communal gasp followed by dead silence. Of course Bryce fucking did this before. You don’t get to be so good at something without practice.
“Yes, I know.” There is an unmistakable look of disgust on her face as she continues. “Apparently, my predecessor was a good friend of the company’s founder, Mr. Thompson’s grandfather. Six years ago, three women were pressured into signing NDAs prohibiting them from speaking about their experiences and were paid off to leave Thompson and Daye quietly. When I accepted the position of President, neither the board nor the previous HR manager disclosed any of this to myself or my staff.”
My blood boils. Three women came forward and they were silenced. Swept under the rug while their abuser was free to carry on as if nothing had happened. Who knows how many other women he targeted in that time who were too afraid to come forward? It takes more self-control than I thought I possessed, but I manage to do what my father told me and keep my mouth shut and my ears open.
“At nine o’clock this morning, Mr. Thompson was notified that his position at this firm has been terminated, effective immediately. If he decides that he wants to fight this decision, we will rise to the challenge, but I doubt it will come to that.”
Holy shit.
Alyson looks to the lawyer on her left who nods in return.
“He admitted to HR that he violated the company’s sexual harassment policy and our code of conduct,” Zoya confirms. “Quite frankly, he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.”
“Furthermore, I want each of you to know what your options are. If you choose to file a lawsuit against Mr. Thompson, you will have the full support of the company. We will provide you with legal counsel, free of charge.”
Holy fucking shit.
“I have been the president of this company for three years, but I have been a woman in this industry for almost forty. I have seen more than my fair share of abuse in the workforce. I have been on the receiving end of some of it. It wasn’t right then and it’s not right now. And I refuse to perpetuate the cycle. It ends here.”
The stunned silence that fills the room is almost deafening. I didn’t know what to expect from this meeting, but it sure as shit wasn’t that.
“What questions do you have for us?” She asks, not unkindly.
“If he does decide to sue the company, will we have to testify?” Alix asks, shyly.
“Not if you don’t want to,” Zoya responds. “You can sign an affidavit, but you will not be forced to testify.”
“I want each of you to know that I’m so sorry that this happened, and I’m grateful that you came forward. I need you to understand that you won’t face repercussions in any way. We will be a better company because you came forward.”
“Thank you. For not taking the easy way out.”
She smiles thoughtfully at me. “The easy way out is usually only easy for some. I want this company to be a great one, not only for those on the top floor, but for everyone who walks through the doors. It’s going to take work, but we’ve got to start somewhere.”
Hands are shaken. A teary Alix hugs me and I not only let her, I return it. We were expecting round two of a boxing match, only to have our “opponent” throw their gloves at our feet and promise to fight for us.
I exit the office feeling much lighter than when I entered it, but the last couple of weeks have been draining, and the emotional hangover has yet to fade away. All I want to do is go home.
Logan is pacing in his office. He doesn’t notice me in the doorway at first, too busy walking back and forth behind his desk, eyes downcast and expression serious.
I allow myself a moment to watch him unnoticed. This man has been more than a rock; he’s been an entire fucking island through all of this. He’s never told me what to do or how to feel, just stood by my side, supporting me in any way he could, giving me whatever I needed.
After a minute he glances up and spots me standing there. His eyes sweep over me, as if they’re making sure I’ve come back in one piece.
“Hey,” he says softly, walking around his desk and coming towards me. “How did it go? Are you okay? What can I do?”
I sigh as I step into his arms, knowing he’s dying to help in any way he can.
“It went well, I’m better than okay, and you can take me home.”