When He Gave It Away, I Reclaimed My Deal

Chapter 3

By the time I got to the office, the conference room was already chaos.

Damian sat at the head of the table, looking wrecked. Chloe stood beside him, face streaked with tears.

"Damian, I swear I didn't mean to. I was just trying to take some weight off Vivienne's shoulders... I had no idea that was the old quote sheet..."

Damian handed her a tissue, his voice gentle.

"Stop crying, Chloe. This isn't on you. Vivienne should have done a proper handover."

The second he saw me push through the door, his face flipped into something hard.

"Vivienne. Look at this mess. You're a partner. How do you leave sensitive files lying around for anyone to grab? This screw-up is on your watch. So tell me, what's your plan to fix it?"

I pulled out a chair and sat down, studying the two of them with perfect calm.

"Damian, my laptop is password-protected. The file was in an encrypted folder. So if you want to know how she got the old quote sheet, maybe ask her."

Chloe's face went white.

"I... I saw a printed draft on Vivienne's desk..."

"A draft?" I let out a cold laugh. "That draft had VOID stamped across the top in bold letters. Are you blind?"

Damian saw Chloe losing ground and slammed his palm on the table.

"Enough. This isn't about pointing fingers. Vivienne, that account has always been yours. You're going to call them right now and fix this. Whatever it takes, get them to accept the revised quote."

He was giving me orders now.

I looked at him and smiled.

"Fine. I'll make the call."

Damian exhaled, his shoulders easing.

"That's more like it. We need you thinking about the big picture."

I stood and walked out without another word.

I made the call, alright.

Just not the one he had in mind.

Back in my office, I dialed the client.

"Mr. Prescott, this is Vivienne. I want to apologize personally for the incorrect quote sheet. But that's not why I'm calling. I need to inform you that I've formally filed to withdraw from the company. Effective today, I am no longer involved with your account in any capacity."

Silence on the other end. Then Charles Prescott spoke.

"Ms. Hale, our business with Damian was built entirely on your reputation. If you're out, there's nothing left to discuss. We'll pursue full damages for the breach."

I set the phone down on my desk and let out a long breath.

Damian wanted Chloe to play the hero.

Fine. I was handing them the whole disaster. Principal plus interest.

Two days later, the company hosted the celebration banquet for the seven-figure deal.

Damian booked the grand ballroom at the city's most expensive hotel.

As the nominal majority shareholder, I received a mandatory attendance notice.

When I pushed open the ballroom doors, every head turned.

I wore a sharp black suit.

Damian spotted me, brow furrowing as he crossed the room.

"What are you doing here? Dressed like that. You looking to ruin the night?"

His voice was low, all warning.

I ignored him and walked toward the VIP table at the front.

Where my seat was supposed to be, Chloe was already settled in.

She wore a couture gown, a diamond necklace hanging at her throat. The exact one I had tried on once and talked myself out of buying.

She saw me approaching and leaned a little closer to Damian.

"Vivienne, you made it. Damian said I was the real star tonight and insisted I sit here. You don't mind, do you?"