Chapter 6 - The Corporate Execution
Two hours later, Marcus walked into his towering glass office building wearing borrowed clothes.
He didn't have his custom briefcase. He didn't have his Rolex.
He looked like a man who had survived a shipwreck, desperate to cling to the only piece of driftwood he had left: his high-paying job.
According to my inside sources at the firm, Marcus didn't even make it to his desk.
The head of Human Resources intercepted him in the lobby, accompanied by two massive security guards.
“Marcus, we need you in the conference room. Now,” the HR director demanded.
Marcus was escorted into the glass-walled room where the CEO, Richard, was waiting for him.
“What is going on, Richard?” Marcus asked, trying to project his usual arrogant confidence.
Richard slid a single piece of paper across the polished mahogany table.
It was a termination notice, effective immediately.
“You are a public relations executive, Marcus, and you just became a walking public relations disaster,” Richard stated coldly.
“Clara just pulled all of her accounts. She informed me of the divorce and the financial fraud allegations.”
Marcus’s face turned ashen. “Richard, you can't fire me over a personal marital dispute!”
“I am firing you because you violated the morality clause in your executive contract,” Richard corrected.
“You used company time and company resources to conduct an affair. And you jeopardized our biggest client.”
Marcus tried to argue, desperately pleading for his severance package.
“There is no severance,” Richard said, standing up and buttoning his suit jacket.
“Security will escort you to the street. Do not ever contact this firm again.”
Marcus was marched out of the building in front of all his colleagues, his face burning with absolute humiliation.
He had lost his wife, his home, his wealth, and now his career, all in less than twenty-four hours.
Meanwhile, I was sitting at a corner table in my flagship culinary institute, tasting a new batch of lemon tarts.
Arthur called me, his voice practically purring with satisfaction.
“The termination is confirmed, Clara. Marcus is officially unemployed.”
May you like
I took a bite of the tart, savoring the sweet, sharp tang of the citrus.
“Excellent,” I smiled. “Now, let’s see how long his loyal mistress sticks around when the money completely dries up.”
