Page 123 of Someday You Learn

I guess he took my choice to heart—because the other thing we discussed is about to go down.

“What’s going on?” Cassandra whispers as I breeze past her and toward my office to collect my coat.

The sound of her footsteps following me echoes off the walls. “What do you mean?”

Cassandra scoffs. “You know what I mean, Parker.” She grabs my shoulder, forcing me to stop. “He still has a month before he’s set to retire but he’s called an emergency meeting today. That’s not a good sign.”

“You don’t know that,” I say, looking her dead in the eyes.

“What I do know is that if he doesn’t name you the head doctor, I’m going to quit.”

I close my eyes and let out a breath. This isn’t how I wanted to have this conversation with her, but she’s going to find out in about ten minutes anyway. “Cassandra…”

“Parker? Cassandra?” The two of us spin around to find Beth lifting an eyebrow in our direction. “We’re waiting on you.” She walks away just as quickly as she summoned us.

When Cassandra and I turn the corner, I find Robert standing at the head of our staff right next to Seth, and I’m instantly giddy.

“Now, I’m sure you’re all wondering why we’re gathered here today,” Robert starts as my eyes dart over to Seth, his arms crossed over his body, his smug smile so slimy that it almost makes me feel bad for what’s about to happen.

I said almost, okay?

This guy is about to get everything that’s coming to him.

“It isn’t like me to make announcements before the time is right, but after an eye-opening weekend, I decided there was no time like the present to take care of something.”

Seth slaps Robert on the shoulder. “I think that’s smart, Dr. O’Neil.”

Robert turns to Seth. “You do, do you?”

“Absolutely. I mean, if your gut is telling you something, you should listen to it.”

God, I wish I had some popcorn for this.

Robert flashes Seth a placating smile. “I’m so glad you think so, Seth.” Seth puffs out his chest as Robert continues. “Which is why I wanted everyone here to witness me firing you.”

You could hear a pin drop with how quiet the entire room grows, but then Cassandra stifles her laugh behind her hand.

It takes a minute for the words to process in Seth’s mind, but when his slimy smile falls and his brows knit together, he turns to Robert with the most bewildered expression on his face. “I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

“I said you’re fired, Seth.”

Seth scoffs, glancing around the room filled with eyes all pointed in his direction. “You’re—you’re firing me?” He points a finger to his chest. “On what basis?”

“Lying, manipulation, extortion, and fraud. I think everyone deserves to know how you tried to blackmail Parker and my daughter, and how you’ve been taking cuts from the suppliers we partner with. No wonder you’ve been pushing the one brand over the others.”

Seth huffs out a laugh, but it’s uneasy.

I, on the other hand, am having the hardest time keeping my composure.

Butwhen Seth’s eyes land on me, his entire demeanor changes. “You…” he seethes before taking a step toward me.

The technicians beside me scatter as Seth heads in my direction, a menacing glare on his face.

“Seth!” Robert calls after him, but there is no stopping the determination in his body right now.

“You did this!” Seth shouts before cocking his arm back and taking a swing at me.

Luckily, I duck before his fist connects with my face, but when I pop back up, he’s rushing me, shoving me back into the wall behind me.

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