Chapter 2Insult Me, Lose Your Job

I tapped my fingernails against the polished conference table, looking around at my team. Their expressions had soured.

Of course. Joshua wanted to sweep this under the rug with a slap on the wrist.

I let out a cold laugh. "Mr. Reynolds, I think you've fundamentally misunderstood the situation."

"I didn't call you as a friend looking for an apology. I called you as a representative of Lumina Group to formally notify you of a contractual breach. Whether professionally or personally, Rick Briggs must face severe, documented disciplinary action."

"An excuse like 'he's young and foolish' does not cut it."

"If Aurelia Media is staffed by unprofessional children, then Lumina Group will have to seriously re-evaluate the viability of our partnership."

"As the client, I believe we reserve the right to choose partners who actually respect basic professional standards."

"We are done for today. Until your agency delivers a proper, formal resolution, there is no need for further communication."

Without waiting for his response, I cut the call.

"Everyone finished eating? Good. Let's pack up."

"Sam, the moment we get back, pull up the files on the other vendors who made the shortlist. I want a fresh round of evaluations ready by tomorrow morning."

"On it, Karen. I'll have the packets on your desk before five," Sam replied.

"Let's go. What a joke of an agency. Imagine trying to insult the client who literally funds your payroll."

As we gathered our tablets and prepared to leave, the conference room door burst open.

"Get in there and apologize, right now!" Aurelia's account director barked, shoving a thoroughly miserable Rick into the room. The director immediately turned to me, bowing and scraping with a desperate smile.

"Ms. Collins, please wait! This was entirely our fault. Mr. Reynolds just called and gave us a piece of his mind."

"Especially Rick here. He lost his mind and spoke out of turn. I've brought him back to make things right immediately!"

He gave Rick a hard nudge, glaring at him to start speaking.

Rick's face was a picture of pure, unadulterated resentment. He looked like a man being dragged to the gallows by the very 'witch' he had mocked.

He refused to look me in the eye, keeping his head tilted back with a rigid, arrogant posture. When he spoke, his voice was flat and dripping with insincerity.

"Ms. Collins, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm a straightforward guy, and I didn't mean any harm. It was just a casual comment, but since it apparently caused you some emotional distress, I apologize."

"But I also hope you won't take everything so seriously in the future. Overanalyzing things can warp people's intentions and create unnecessary drama for everyone."

"As a high-level executive, surely you won't hold a grudge against a low-level employee like me, right?"

I stared at him. Was he actually serious? He was accusing me of being fragile, oversensitive, and vindictive, all while hiding behind the shield of a fake apology.

And this was supposed to be a resolution?

"I do not accept your apology."

Rick's eyes flared with rage, glaring at me as if to ask, What more do you want?

"My appearance is none of your business, and whether I wear makeup is my own choice and right. As a subordinate from a vendor company and a complete stranger, your unsolicited comments on my looks were vulgar, classless, and utterly unprofessional."

"I've also learned you are a repeat offender. Do you think every woman you work with is a target for your sleazy banter? Who gave you that right? Who gave you that kind of confidence?"

"Don't try to mask your disrespect as a joke. We are not friends, and you do not have my permission to speak to me like that."

"If your parents and teachers failed to teach you basic manners, then the world will gladly do it for them."

My words left him completely speechless, his face burning red. Behind me, my team couldn't help but murmur in quiet satisfaction.

Ignoring the account director's frantic pleas, I walked out of the office, my team following in lockstep.

On the ride back, Penny looked a bit anxious. "Karen, if we pull out of this project now, how are we going to explain it to the board?"

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I wouldn't have walked out if I didn't already have a backup plan."