Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
Bex
W hen we arrive at the Guildford headquarters, the receptionist does not look shocked to see Brienne Norcross walking in, which tells me I’m the only one surprised by her visit.
“Everyone is in conference room one,” the young woman says to us as we approach the curved desk.
“Thank you,” Brienne says as she glides by, and I’m stunned when the receptionist gives me a thumbs-up.
It fuels me with confidence that this lady, probably younger than me, whose sole job is to greet visitors, seems to know it’s some type of occasion for me to be walking through the Titans Racing lobby.
Brienne doesn’t hesitate, striding across the lobby of the building like a storm, her heels clicking against the floor as I trail behind her. I’m oddly not nervous, but why should I be? I apparently have my job back and the most powerful woman in racing leading the way to confront my adversaries. It’s surreal, and I resist the urge to pinch myself awake from this very weird dream.
I quickly take stock of the situation as we enter the conference room. It’s one of the smaller ones, designed for more intimate meetings. It’s done in the same chrome and glass as the rest of the facility, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the parking lot.
Luca sits near the head of the table, his posture alert but his expression calm. He’s very much in the know about what’s going to happen, and I know this not only from how relaxed he appears, but because I know as powerful as Brienne Norcross is, and as much as she likes to insert her desires and will over the handling of this company, she respects Luca too much to keep him in the dark. She knows it’s bad leadership to sandbag your number one person.
Hendrik is seated stiffly to Luca’s right and his face reddens when he sees me follow Brienne in. Matthieu lounges in his chair with a smug expression because I think he’s too egotistical to understand he’s getting ready to have a spotlight shone on his flaws.
And taking my breath away is Nash, sitting with his back to me. He doesn’t turn but Brienne circles the table to sit at the head. She motions to the empty chair next to Nash, and I sink down into it.
He doesn’t even look at me and I’m grateful, because Hendrik’s and Matthieu’s accusations of favoritism between me and Nash are still concerning.
Brienne doesn’t waste time. “Thank you all for coming,” she begins, her voice calm but commanding. “This was a trip I had not planned on taking and frankly, I shouldn’t have to be here. However, this issue is important enough that I want everyone present to know that I am still very much involved in how this company is run.”
She glances around the table. Hendrik looks worried and even Matthieu doesn’t miss Brienne’s no-nonsense tone. He sits up straighter in his seat and his smirk slides a little as if he’s entered a state of confusion.
“Let’s cut to the chase,” Brienne says in her crisp, American accent. “Hendrik, Matthieu—I’ve been made aware that you’ve both exhibited a pattern of undermining Bex Toliver’s authority as the chief strategy engineer. Am I wrong about that?”
Matthieu scoffs, leaning back in his chair. “Is she tattling now? I didn’t realize we were in grade school.”
Brienne’s gaze sharpens and her lips curve into a cold smile. “Bex hasn’t said a word. Nash told me everything.”
Hendrik stiffens as he clasps his hands on the table. “It’s not undermining if we’re questioning bad decisions.”
“No, it’s not,” Brienne agrees, her tone turning razor sharp. “But I am curious about a few comments I understand you made.” Hendrik pales a little and swallows hard. “Did you publicly criticize Ms. Toliver in front of other members of this team?”
“Well, criticism is meant for learning—”
“Only when leveled in a professional way. I’ll ask again… Did you criticize her in front of other people?”
Hendrik doesn’t say anything, but we all know the answer.
“Let me ask it this way,” Brienne says, her voice soft but frankly… a little scary. “Have you ever questioned a male employee with that same level of disrespect? Have you ever undercut her decisions in front of others, implying that she’s not capable? Have you ever insisted she be treated with respect by others who didn’t? More importantly, did you sit back and watch others belittle her expertise and authority without intervening?”
Hendrik flushes beet red and his lip curls in disgust. “I don’t have to answer those questions. I know what you’re trying to do, and you’re setting me up to be in violation of equal rights treatment because she’s a woman, but I’m not falling victim to that crap. We’ve run this team just fine—”
“Mr. Voss, your services with this team are no longer required. There is a security guard waiting for you outside. He’ll escort you to your office where you’ll have sufficient time to pack any personal belongings, and then you shall leave this property and not return.”
Holy cow. I look around the table quickly and see that this is no surprise to Luca, whose gaze is pinned on Hendrik. Matthieu’s eyes are wide and Nash… a low-level smile of “gotcha” on his face.
“You can’t be serious,” Hendrik sputters. “You cannot unilaterally fire me without hearing my side.”
“I asked you very specific questions, Mr. Voss, and you refused to answer them. You also seem to believe that I’m setting you up in some way, when I was merely trying to get your side of the story. I cannot have someone on this team who doesn’t understand the basic tenets of professionalism, teamwork and accountability. Your behavior is unacceptable, and it’s costing this team. You’re done.”
Brienne stares at Hendrik, waiting for further objection. He looks wildly around the table, his gaze landing on Luca. “And you agree with this?”
“It wouldn’t matter if I did or didn’t,” Luca says quietly. “Brienne is the boss, and we answer to her. But for the record, I do agree with it and helped her arrive at this conclusion. I appreciate her asking for my consideration.”
Hendrik looks to Matthieu who now stares down at the table in front of him.
Then he looks to me, and I see a plea within, asking me to intervene. No matter how badly he treated me—made me doubt myself—I still feel sorry for him. I can’t save him though, nor would I try. I expect Brienne wouldn’t respect it.
Without another word, Hendrik slowly stands from his chair as if anticipating someone will say this was a big joke. No one moves. No one says a word, and eventually, Hendrik walks out the door.
Brienne isn’t finished though. She turns her regard to Matthieu and waits for him to look at her. When he finally does, she asks, “What do you have to say for yourself?”
He swallows hard. “Honestly, I’m afraid to say anything.”
It’s amazing. I’ve never heard him sound so humble before.
Brienne’s eyes glimmer with satisfaction. “I’d say you’re on your way to learning then, because sometimes, it’s best to keep your mouth shut.”
“I’ve learned my lesson,” he says hastily.
She shakes her head. “No, you haven’t. It goes beyond disrespect. You directly disobeyed instructions relayed to you by your chief strategist in Jeddah. You placed full blame for a poor finish on her, without looking inwardly at yourself, or even acknowledging the dozens of factors that can make or break your race. You’re immature and you don’t deserve to sit in one of my cars at this time.”
I glance at Nash who’s staring at Matthieu with an unreadable expression, but I can tell by his relaxed demeanor that he’s not shocked.
“Matthieu… I’m moving you over to development where you’ll work with our design engineers to develop and test our upgrade packages on the car. You’ll keep your same salary, which is exponentially more than what you’d normally earn in that position. It is my hope, that with time, you’ll learn the benefit of teamwork because this is not an individual sport. Maybe one day, you’ll earn your way back onto the competitive track.”
Matthieu looks crushed, but he nods his acceptance. “Can I ask who will replace me?”
“I don’t have an answer,” Brienne replies as she nods toward the door. “But if you’ll excuse us, we are going to have a meeting about that very thing.”
He stands and to my surprise, looks to me. “I’m sorry, Bex.”
That’s it. No further words of remorse or regret, but honestly… it’s enough because he sounds genuine. Whether he’ll change his ways remains to be seen.
Without being told to do so, Nash rises from his chair as well and follows Matthieu out the door. I watch him retreat, gaze pinned to the door long after it’s closed.
When I glance back to Brienne, she’s staring at me. “I wanted Nash in this appointment in case Hendrik or Matthieu tried to dispute facts, but his place isn’t here as we discuss who to put in the empty car seat. That’s for top management. Unfortunately, we do not have a chief engineer at this point, so the three of us will have to brainstorm.”
“Francesca Accardi,” I blurt out. “I think now’s the time for a woman to join the top tier.”
Brienne’s smiles with her approval, and I glance at Luca, who looks amused as well. It’s clear they’ve already floated that driver between themselves and wanted to know what I thought.
“She’s a prime consideration,” Luca says. “Let’s discuss pros and cons, as well as a few other candidates.”
Luca pulls out folders from a briefcase on the floor and passes them to me and Brienne. “I’ve got all the prospects here for us to review.”
I glance back at the door, only briefly wondering where Nash will be when I finish this meeting. We have unfinished business.
But for now, I’m stepping into my role as the chief race strategist for Titans Racing, and I’m ready to give it my all.