Page 50 of Hers to Love
“Actually, what I think should happen—since your client already knows all the information—is that he should start by giving everyone an apology. By name. Then he can agree to the figure that you’ll find on the very last page and present documents to the court of his agreement to pay that amount.”
Brigham’s head snapped up.
Robin nodded with a feline smile. “Yes, I’ve already filed, as have the attorneys in this room. In fact, I’ve also contacted the appropriate business ethics bureaus and lodged complaints with them as well.”
“This is blackmail,” Brigham spat.
The lead attorney placed a hand on his shoulder to settle him.
“Oh! Blackmail, yes. I’m so glad you came to that, Mr. Noland,” Robin said gleefully. She flipped through a few papers in the folder on the table in front of her. “I have here a statement from Mr. Marshall Buchanan of Buchanan Financial? According to him, you personally contacted his company right after Ms. Kaye was hired and used your favorite tactic to convince him to fire her. Your words were—I believe, but we can check the recording Mr. Marshall sent us, very bad form to leave a voicemail—‘if you don’t fire that expletive, then I’ll make sure your company loses business from,’ and then you list a number of companies by which both your firm and Buchanan Financial share business. You also indicated you would back out of a deal you were finalizing with Buchanan Financial company.”
Kori’s mouth hung open. Brigham had threatened Marshall? Marshall hadn’t said a word to her. His company had faced an incredible amount of scrutiny. She was a threat to a new business deal? Of course they would want her fired.
Kori was familiar with the names of the companies that conducted business with Marshall’s firm. He could’ve lost tens of millions of dollars and who knows how much his own company would’ve missed out on when their new deal went bust.
Over her?
Kori felt sick to her stomach. How often had he fought for her without her knowing? He had stuck up for her in front of his board when they had pressed him to fire her. Marshall had thought her worth it.
Now she felt even worse for leaving without saying goodbye. He had done so much for her in the background. How he had defended her. If ever she’d been unprofessional in her duties, it was how she had left Marshall.
“You can’t prove that was me!” Brigham shouted.
His lead attorney whispered harshly in his ear, but Kori couldn’t hear the words.
“Actually, Mr. Noland, we can. Mr. Buchanan has provided the call records showing the call was made from your office phone. And if you’d like to go through the long process of having voice recognition confirmed, we’ll be more than happy to accommodate you. Or you can just agree to our terms. You’ll find that the settlement is in line with what is being paid out by other companies of your size.”
Brigham’s closed lips moved around like he was forcing words back.
“Wrongful termination is a serious offense, Mr. Noland,” Robin said smoothly. “You will lose millions—and I’m not talking about the settlement amount. You have investors to consider.”
“I’m not going to concede,” Brigham said vehemently.
Brigham’s lead attorney cleared his throat. “What my client means to say is that we will review the documentation—”
“No, you idiot!” Brigham interrupted his counsel. “I said we’renotgoing to concede!”
“Are you drunk right now, Mr. Noland?” Robin asked with a predatory gleam in her eyes. “I hope you’re prepared for the news conference I’ve called that will take place in the lobby of this building once we’ve concluded our business here.”
“That’s really not necessary,” Brigham’s attorney said.
Robin nodded. “Oh, yes. Yes, I think it is quite necessary. As you can see, your client has had a pattern of abusive behavior to both his former employees and those of his competitors. Oh, forgive me.” Robin placed a hand over her chest and chuckled.
Kori stared at Robin’s dramatic display. She was terrified of her own attorney. She hoped Brigham would feel the fear before the meeting was over.
“I almost forgot,” Robin said, picking up a stack of papers from the table and crossing the room to hand it to Brigham’s lead attorney. “These are for you to review. We’ve taken the time to speak to the legal counsel of each of the companies of whose employees are represented here today. They’re offering their full support to us. You see, Mr. Noland, when you do the wrong thing, you must face the consequences.”
Brigham’s face was flushed, a murderous glare on Robin.
Two hours later, a deal had been hashed out, and Robin and Kori sat in the conference room alone, drinking peach and mango smoothies from the restaurant on the third level.
“Better than champagne,” Robin said with a laugh after taking a long swig. “And healthier…maybe.” She squinted at the glass. “Thanks for the suggestion.”
“I figured it was probably better that no one see us with any alcohol, given Brigham’s history.”
“Good call.”
Kori blinked back tears. It was all over. She could rest. Actually, shecouldrest. She could do whatever she wanted. Take a vacation.
