When He Gave It Away, I Reclaimed My Deal

Chapter 4

The look on Chloe's face. That smug, sticky triumph. My stomach turned hard.

Same kind of celebration dinner. Three years ago, he held my hand and told me I was his whole world. Tonight, he couldn't stop staring at someone else sincerely.

I pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, face unreadable.

"I don't mind. It's just a seat. Anyone who wants it can have it."

The banquet began.

Damian took the stage, all swagger, and launched into his speech.

He didn't mention the hospital. Not a word about the bleeding ulcer. He credited every last win to Chloe's "instinct and dedication."

"This milestone deal? It exists because of Chloe's relentless commitment."

Applause swept the room.

Chloe stood, cheeks flushed, and gave a modest little bow.

Glasses were being filled around the table.

William's deputy approached, glass in hand.

Chloe shrank back behind Damian, instantly fragile.

"Damian, I really can't. My alcohol allergy..."

Damian shielded her, face full of concern. Then he turned to me.

He picked up a full glass of wine from the table and held it out.

"Vivienne, you can handle your liquor. Take this one for Chloe."

I stared at the glass, the liquid still trembling from the motion. The pain in my stomach flared sharp.

I had been out of the hospital less than a week. The doctor's orders were absolute. No alcohol. Not a drop.

Damian knew that.

He held out the glass anyway.

I didn't take it.

I lifted my gaze and locked eyes with him.

"I just got discharged with a bleeding ulcer. And you want me to cover her drinks?"

Damian's face darkened, irritation bleeding through.

"Vivienne, think about the bigger picture. Don't make a scene. Chloe's not well. Can you just step up for once?"

I looked at him. The last trace of warmth inside me went cold and still.

I didn't reach for the glass.

Under the table, my thumb hit send on a message I had drafted hours ago.

Vivienne: Mr. Thornton. Pull the trigger.

The mood at the table stiffened around my refusal.

Damian's hand hung in the air, the glass still waiting. His jaw was iron.

Chloe's eyes went glassy. She tugged at Damian's sleeve, voice quivering.

"Damian, it's okay. If Vivienne won't, I'll just drink it myself..."

She reached for the glass.

Damian slammed it down on the table. Liquor sloshed over the rim.

"Vivienne. You really want to humiliate me tonight? Right here?"

He inhaled deep, and something inside him seemed to lock into place.

He turned, snapped a document from his assistant's hand, and slapped it onto the table in front of me. In full view of everyone.

"Fine. If the big picture means nothing to you, then I'm done playing nice. This is an equity transfer. To recognize Chloe's extraordinary contribution tonight, I'm reassigning five percent of your shares to her."

A wave of murmurs swept through the room.

Every pair of eyes was on us.

Stripping a partner's equity to reward an intern. Public, naked humiliation.

Chloe pressed her fingers to her lips, performing shock.

"Damian, that's too much. I couldn't possibly..."

Damian gazed at her, tender. "You've earned it, Chloe."

Then he turned back to me, looking down from a great height, voice cold.

"Vivienne. Sign. Just sign, and I'll forget tonight ever happened."

I looked at that absurd piece of paper. And I felt something unexpected.

Relief.

I didn't yell. Didn't argue.

I just looked at him, cold and still, offering nothing. Not even a reaction.

Damian took my silence for surrender.

Then the ballroom doors slammed open.

A line of dark-suited men entered, moving in precise formation.

At their head walked William himself, the man with a ten-figure portfolio. Five stone-faced lawyers followed behind.

Damian's expression flipped in an instant. He lurched forward, hand outstretched, smile greasy with deference.

"Mr. Thornton. What an honor. Please, come sit..."

William didn't look at him. Walked right past the extended hand.

He stopped in front of me and inclined his head.

"Ms. Hale. As requested. The withdrawal and contract termination are complete."

Silence swallowed the room.

Damian stood frozen, his face a mask of disbelief.