CHAPTER 2: STEALING HIS CLIENTS
966 Words
6:10 PM. CEO Office. 60th Floor.
The city lights were coming on.
Mr. Carter from Carter Enterprises sat across from Sophia.
$200 million contract. Blackwood’s biggest client for 8 years.
Sophia didn’t offer tea.
She offered data.
"Mr. Carter," Sophia said, sliding a black folder across the mahogany desk. "Under Mr. Blackwood’s leadership, your delivery delays increased by 22%. Quality complaints went up 40%. And your company stock dropped 6 points last quarter."
Carter opened the folder. Frowned. "We’ve been loyal to Blackwood."
"Loyalty doesn’t pay payroll," Sophia said. "Results do. I’m offering you 15% off, priority shipping, and my personal number. Because you’ll be dealing with the CEO directly. Not assistants. Not interns."
She leaned back in Ethan’s chair. "You know me. I built your charity wing with Blackwood 3 years ago. I know what Carter Enterprises needs before you ask."
Carter closed the folder. "The board needs 24 hours."
"Take it," Sophia smiled. "But know this. If you stay on floor 2 with Ethan, you get interns. If you come with me, you get me."
He stood. "I’ll call you tomorrow, Ms. Miller."
After he left, Sophia exhaled.
Step 2 of PROJECT PHOENIX: In progress.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown: `You’re poaching my clients? Cute. - E`
Sophia typed: `They were never yours. I earned them while you were cheating.`
Send.
---
8:00 PM. Floor 2. The Intern Pit.
No windows.
The printer was 2 feet from his head. Non-stop.
Ethan threw his phone against the cubicle wall.
"SHE TOOK CARTER TO DINNER?!"
His assistant Maya didn’t look up. "She took him to the office, sir. For a meeting."
"Same thing!" Ethan paced the 6x6 space. "I golfed with Carter’s dad! I took him to Monaco!"
Maya finally looked up. "Sir... Ms. Miller was the one who planned that Monaco trip. She booked the jet. You just showed up."
Ethan stopped pacing. "What?"
"2 years ago. She coordinated everything. While you were... busy."
Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "She was just the wife."
"She was COO of the foundation," Maya said quietly. "Before you fired her."
The printer jammed. Loud.
Ethan sat down. Hard.
---
9:30 PM. Sophia’s Penthouse.
Glass walls. City view. Empty fridge.
Sophia kicked off her heels. Poured wine.
Opened her laptop.
Email from Legal: `Carter Enterprises signed LOI. Contract moves to Sophia Miller Holdings effective next month.`
Sophia smiled. First blood.
Her phone rang. Unknown number.
She answered. "Sophia Miller."
"Sophia." Ethan’s voice. Low. Tired. Angry. "What do you want from me?"
Sophia swirled her wine. "What I always wanted. Respect."
"You have my company."
"I have 40%," Sophia corrected. "You have 39%. And a cubicle next to the printer."
Silence.
"Why are you doing this?" Ethan asked. "We were happy."
Sophia laughed. Once. Cold. "Happy? You called me useless while you slept with your secretary. You threw me out pregnant, Ethan."
"I didn’t know—"
"You didn’t care to know."
Another silence.
"Meet me," Ethan said. "Tomorrow. 7 AM. Rooftop. No lawyers. No board. Just us."
Sophia considered it. "Fine. 7 AM. But I’m bringing security."
She hung up.
Looked at PROJECT PHOENIX on her wall.
Step 1: Take his company. ✓
Step 2: Take his clients. ✓
Step 3: Destroy his reputation. Pending.
---
THE NEXT DAY. 7:00 AM. ROOFTOP.
Cold wind. Sunrise.
Ethan was already there. No jacket. Sleeves rolled up.
He looked exhausted. For the first time in 2 years.
"You came," he said.
"I said I would," Sophia replied. Black suit. Red lips. Two guards 20 feet away.
Ethan turned to her. "Why? Why come back like this?"
"Because you left me with nothing," Sophia said. "And Grandpa left me everything. And I’m tired of being small."
Ethan stepped closer. "We can fix this. Run the company together. Like before."
"Like before?" Sophia tilted her head. "When I cooked your dinner and you cheated? When I planned your meetings and you called me a maid?"
"That was a mistake—"
"Three mistakes," Sophia cut him off. "The secretary. The VP. The intern."
Ethan flinched. "How did you—"
"I cleaned their offices, Ethan. I saw the lipstick. I saw the receipts."
She walked to the edge. Looked down at the city. Her city now.
"I’m not here for closure, Ethan. I’m here for the throne."
Ethan’s jaw tightened. "You think you can run this better than me?"
"I already am," Sophia said. "Carter signed this morning. 3 more clients are calling by noon. Stock is up 4% since my announcement."
She turned to face him. "You ran it with fear. I’m running it with respect."
Ethan laughed, bitter. "You sound like him. Your grandpa."
"I hope I do," Sophia whispered.
The sun broke over the buildings. Gold light on her face.
Ethan watched her.
Not the girl he married.
This woman. CEO. Sharp. Untouchable.
"You’ve changed," he said quietly.
"You made me," Sophia said. "Now I’m making you pay."
She started to walk away.
"Sophia, wait—"
She stopped. Didn’t turn.
"If you want to talk business," she said over her shoulder. "Book it with my assistant. If you want to talk about us..."
Pause.
"There is no us."
Click. Click. Click.
Heels on concrete.
Ethan stood alone on the rooftop.
Watching the woman he threw away become queen of his empire.
---
10:00 AM. CEO Office.
Sophia’s assistant came in. "Ms. Miller, 3 more clients want meetings. And the Board wants to discuss Step 3."
"Good," Sophia said. On a call already. "Tell them 2 PM."
She hung up. Opened PROJECT PHOENIX.
Step 1: Take his company. ✓
Step 2: Take his clients. ✓
Step 3: Destroy his reputation.
Step 4: Make the board fire him.
Sophia picked up her pen.
Day 2 of revenge was about to begin.
- Writer
