Page 37 of Insufferable Boss

Given the day ahead, I was truly not receptive to any amusement in any form, but I had to say that she was quite the jester.

"A hassle-free morning."

I let go of the elevator button and headed towards the back to lean against the car, waiting. Then I pulled my phone out of my pocket and ignored her. The elevator doors began to close, but just as I had suspected, she stopped it and got in. However, she remained as far away as possible. Since it was quite early, there was nothing to bring us closer together, so I continued checking my appointments and emails from the previous evening. Soon, we arrived at the top floor, and without a word, I got out and began heading over to my office.

When I arrived, I walked in and got on with my tasks, but a little bit after eight, Matthias came in.

"I have an appointment at 8:30," I told him. "Make it quick."

"Yes, Sir," he replied and placed the envelope on my desk.

"What's that?" I asked, and he replied…

"Lawsuit. Served on a golden platter to you this morning. I would have actually brought it on a golden platter, but I couldn't find one in the kitchen."

I frowned and accepted the document. After realizing what it was and who it was from, I flung it away.

"Nope, you can't do that," Matthias said as he got up to pick up the document. "You can't fire an equity member. At least not without telling me and having the proper grounds."

"I had the proper grounds," I replied. "He was an asshole."

"Well, I share the sentiment, Sir, but that doesn't constitute proper grounds in a court of law. On the streets, most definitely, but..."

"I'm really busy," I told him. "What do you need from me?"

He sighed, noticing my somber mood and got straight to the point.

"He's suing you for unlawful termination, and it's serious. We need to find a way to settle this thing now and make it go away before more members of the company hear about it, or he could use the chance to screw you and start making requests for compensation for bullshit claims like emotional distress or whatever nonsense he can cook up."

"I want him to make up whatever claim for whatever nonsense he can cook up," I said, and Matthias was taken aback.

"What?"

"I want to frustrate and humiliate him. And if it's possible to fire him too, then why not?"

"The board will bring it to a vote."

"Then we'll vote," I replied. "But for now, drag it on as long as possible until it begins to leave a visible dent in his pockets."

"Hm," Matthias said. "That's going to be fairly difficult since this is also going to leave quite the dent in your pocket."

I looked him in the eyes, a brow raised.

"Why? Aren't you the one representing me? You work for the company."

"Technically, yes, and he is suing the company and not you, so I am available at your disposal. The problem, however, is that I should also be representing him as ownership trumps management. So..."

"So what?" I asked.

"Well, I have to sit this one out. Conflict of interest."

"Meaning?”

“You have to get your own lawyer for this, just as he has."

I looked at him, and his gaze lowered.

"What are even the details of the lawsuit?" I asked, trying to get back to work, most definitely fuming.

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