The Contract He Ended

Chapter 4 The Vultures' Gathering

I said nothing about the mailroom. Julian waited, then tightened his arm around Chloe when I still gave him no answer.

With one hand on Chloe’s back, he guided us into the busiest part of the gala. People who had toasted our engagement three years earlier now gathered around him to hear the latest version of my downfall.

“Julian, darling, we heard the Sterling merger fell through. Such a shame.” Tiffany smiled, though the Botox kept her forehead still. “Of course, we all have faith you’ll pull off something bigger.”

“Of course he will,” Chloe chirped, preening under the attention. “Julian is a visionary. He’s already secured the future of the company.”

Tiffany noticed me and looked me over. “Elara. You look well. Brave of you to show your face.”

“We were worried,” said Mark. Two years earlier, I had found the accounting error that nearly ended his career. “Losing a fiancé and a job in one night must have been devastating. Julian’s right. A little humility goes a long way. Take his offer.”

The circle drew closer. These people had resented every invitation I received through Julian; now they could enjoy my supposed expulsion together.

Julian straightened and raised his voice for the people beyond our circle.

“It’s more than an offer. It’s a lifeline,” he said. “Thorne Industries is moving on to bigger things. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors.”

He let the pause last until people beyond our circle began listening.

“I’m in the final stages of negotiations with Lumina Capital,” he announced. “We’re securing a ten-billion-dollar investment from none other than the legendary ‘Aries’.”

Several conversations stopped. Even the older financiers listened when someone mentioned Aries.

“Aries believes in my vision,” Julian continued, looking directly at me. “The most powerful player on Wall Street sees what some people missed. This deal will save Thorne Industries and make us untouchable.”

“So you see the problem, Elara. I can’t put someone with a history of emotional instability in a key role.” He smiled. “Data entry should be safe. Come to my office on Monday, apologize properly, and the job is yours.”

The ten-billion-dollar figure did its work. People looked at Julian with new interest and at me with practiced sympathy.

I took another drink and met his eyes over the glass.

“Ten billion dollars?” I asked. “Julian, can your debt-ridden balance sheet support that number?”