CHAPTER SEVEN #2
“Now, I know all of you are probably worried about the video I took of Rick and Piper. And yes, I’m fully aware that if it ever became public, it could destroy Rick’s campaign before it even starts.
But despite what you two apparently think of me, I have no intention of stooping to your level.
I’m not interested in blackmail, manipulation, or turning someone’s private humiliation into public entertainment.
I deleted the video. So, you both can stop sitting in here strategizing like I’m some loose cannon. ”
She turned to her dad. His eyes narrowed, as if sensing the incoming strike but unsure where it would land.
She reached into her leather portfolio and pulled out a neatly typed letter. She laid it on his desk and slid it towards him, meeting his cold stare with a fire of her own.
“That’s my resignation. It’s effective at the end of the month.”
She was being generous and gave them more than the standard two weeks that most employees would give their employers. This gave her about three and a half weeks to tie up loose ends at the firm.
There was a pause as her dad looked down at the paper. Then, to her surprise, he pushed the document aside as if it meant nothing, and then he laughed. The fucker actually laughed. It was loud, and the smug sound made Nova’s skin crawl.
“You’re serious?” he said, chuckling. “Is this another one of your little tantrums? Because we both know how this will end.”
Nova’s jaw locked. “Not this time. Your days of manipulating me are over.”
His smile disappeared. “You’re walking away from a six-figure salary and a guaranteed partnership?”
“I’m walking away because I’ve wasted five years being your puppet.”
“Oh, please,” he said with a scoff, waving his hand in the air, clearly blowing off her comment. “You do know that without this firm, and especially without me, you’re nothing.”
Nova felt the insult land like a slap. But she didn’t flinch.
“You think that I honestly need you. I know that I’m a damn good attorney. Everything I’ve achieved—every case I’ve won—was me. Not you.”
Merrick jumped in. “Little girl, you’re dreaming if you think you’ll get anywhere without the Hart name backing you.”
Nova’s eyes narrowed at him. “My life is no longer any of your concern. You lost the right to an opinion the moment your son unzipped his pants for Piper, a woman who treats the office like her personal punch card for dick.”
She knew she hit a nerve the instant Merrick’s face turned red in anger and his jaw clenched. But before he could fire back, her father stood up so fast that his chair went flying into the bookshelves behind him.
He walked around his desk, taking slow, deliberate steps towards her. Her dad was a big man, though he wasn’t all muscle. But he had enough bulk to intimidate.
As he moved closer, invading her personal space, Nova felt her heart begin to pound. He could hurt her if he wanted to. And something in his expression said he was tempted.
“You’ve become very bold for someone whose entire career was built on my name. Go ahead and walk away from this firm if you want, but don’t delude yourself into thinking there won’t be consequences. I can close more doors with a single phone call than you can open in a lifetime.”
She met his stare as a small smile touched her lips.
“I guess we’ll have to see about that,” she said confidently.
“You may have opened some doors for me, but don’t confuse that with carrying me through them.
Everything I’ve accomplished, I earned.” She took a step back, putting a little distance between them.
“So go ahead. Make your calls if you want.”
Out of all the reactions she had expected from him, a smirk hadn’t been one of them. Then, to her surprise, he turned to his desk, picked up a folder, and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“It’s a case. One you’ve just been assigned.”
She was now confused. “You want me to take on a new case after I’ve given my resignation?”
“You are still an employee here, are you not? Take the case, or you’re fired. And remember, if you’re fired, you’re not entitled to your bonus.”
Nova froze upon hearing that. She had been counting on that one hundred fifteen-thousand-dollar bonus. She had planned to use that money to open her gym once she was settled.
Her fists clenched around the files. “You’re blackmailing me.”
“I’m allowing you to think about your future,” he said with a fake smile.
“And what the hell is the case?” she snapped.
“It’s for Silverman Petroleum. You’ve worked on their cases before, and Mr. Silverman specifically requested that you take part in their acquisition review. You’ll be traveling to their headquarters to handle everything. All your travel has already been arranged.”
Nova looked stunned. “You’re seriously sending me to Louisiana?”
He nodded and smirked. “What? You always rave about the place when you’ve been there before. I thought you would be happy about it.”
Nova’s mouth dropped open, though he wasn’t lying. She did enjoy Louisiana. But this trip had nothing to do with her love for the Bayou State. This was nothing but pure manipulation orchestrated by her father.
“Get with Paige, as she’ll be your paralegal working the case. Your flight leaves Saturday morning.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but he was already walking back to his desk, waving her off like she was an intern with a coffee order.
The fury inside her reached a new level. But it wasn’t worth arguing with him. So, without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the office, clutching the case file like a grenade she was ready to throw at someone’s head.