Page 121 of Love Is an Art
Is my legal analysis wrong?My stomach plunges.
“Yes. I am now. I was not dating him when I represented Capital Management. I met him at an art reception, and we didn’t realize our connection. But we only dated when I was not representing Capital Management. But in any event, he’s not the client. Capital Management is the client.”
My legs feel like rubber. I grip the back of the chair.
“That’s what I told his mentor, and his mentor agreed,” Jack says. “But I wanted to warn you that Tom is gunning for you. I wasn’t sure if he’d made up the whole thing.”
I sink into the chair at the round table.
“Well, he wants that bonus too,” I say calmly, even though I feel queasy. My legs are still shaky. I take a deep breath. My heart is pounding.
It’s okay. He didn’t succeed. I’m not going to be brought up on ethical charges.
I clasp my trembling hands together under the table. “But it’s still concerning that he went that far.”
Tom must hate me.
“It’s a very serious accusation—but completely false. I wouldn’t worry too much about it. We have made it very clear to Tom that we do not tolerate false accusations. In good news, I was also able to get pro bono to count,” Jack says. “And now your hours are higher than his.”
If Tom is willing to accuse me of ethical violations, I’m not sure that is good news.
“Which is going to piss him off.” I’ve discounted Tom too much. Last year, when I won the bonus, he was angry. He’d turned and walked out of the room.
“He’s only demonstrating that he does not have the collaborative and collegial skills we’re looking for in a partner,” Jack says.
“Do you think it will go further than his mentor?” I ask. “I don’t want an ethics violation allegation being bandied around with my name on it.”
“His mentor warned him that that would go poorly for him in terms of his chance for partnership, so I think not.” Jack’s gaze is reassuring and calm.
Jack’s assistant interrupts with a call from a client, and I leave his office.
I walk slowly to my office. My legs are still shaky.
Tom actually accused me of an ethics violation. He wasn’t bluffing.
I close my office door and sink into my chair. This is crazy.
A knock sounds on my office door.
“Come in,” I say.
In walks Tom. I grip my armchair rests.Don’t let him see that he got to you.
He puts his hands on his hips. “You could have told me it wasn’t an ethics violation. I warned you I was going to do it.”
“I didn’t think you were actually going to report me for an ethics violation to the partnership.” I stand and step toward him.
He backs up.
He’s an underhanded coward.
“I can’t believe you got pro bono to count toward the bonus hours.” He shakes his head. “You’re living a charmed life. But you’re not going to beat me this year.”
He storms out as Lakshmi enters, practically knocking her over.
“What was that all about?”
“Tom accused me of an ethical violation to the management. That I didn’t disclose I was dating Zeke. He’s pissed that pro bono hours are counting toward the bonus.”
