Page 15 of Her Exception 3

When I made it to my car, I checked my phone as I often did. The sight of Milli sending me a set of eyes made me chuckle. We talked this morning and I let her know what was on my agenda today. Once I was in traffic, I called to give her an update, grateful she was finally more open to letting me earn my place in her life.

“How’d it go?” was her greeting.

“As we suspected. Violet isn’t giving anyone else power unless some crazy scandal emerges, or she dies.”

“I just don’t understand that.” She sighed. “I mean, I get why she wants the most control, but I would think she also wants relief. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with having a senior manager who can handle certain things and give her a break.”

“Well, she doesn’t want a break. We can’t force that on her. If she spends the next twenty years as managing partner the way she has up until now, there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“True, but new minds can come up with ways to make HGP2even better. I really hate this.” She paused, but I didn’t even know what to say to that. “So, what are you going to do? Are you really going to leave?”

I deflected briefly by asking, “Do you think I’m overreacting?” Up until now, I didn’t give a damn about how anyone felt about my actions. My sister felt like the first person in a long time that I could trust to not have ill intentions or ulterior motives when it came to the advice they gave me.

She thought it over for a while, which I appreciated.

“I don’t think you’re overreacting. I think you were told something that you took as truth and that isn’t being honored. You have every right to leave because of that. However, if you’re truly satisfied with what you’re doing at the firm, even if you don’t advance further, no one would blame you if you stayed. My only concern would be the trust factor between you and Violet going forward.”

“Agreed. I’ve never had any issues with her keeping her word except for on this.”

“No matter what you decide and where you go to practice law or manage the firm, you’ll be great at it. I can admit I hated the way you manage and guide, but it works. You equip us to be quick on our feet, logical instead of emotional, and independent—capable of taking care of everything we need to for our clients without relying on anyone else.” She paused before exclaiming, “Hey!” I chuckled, gripping the steering wheel tighter in preparation for whatever revelation she just had. “That’swhy Violet doesn’t want another managing partner. You’re the perfect example. Your styles are completely different. Violet has a true partner mentality. She’s more involved and hands-on with the associates. You set us up for independence. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t want anyone else in control. It could destroy the ecosystem she’s built. There’s nothing wrong with either style, it just takes time to adapt to, if it’s not what you’re used to. I see it from both sides now. If you want to step into a managing role more permanently and go to trial less, leave, Jeremy. If you want to continue to guide associates into independence and practice law full time, I think you should stay.”

I thanked her for the advice, and we continued to talk until I made it home. She’d given me a hell of a lot to think about, and even allowed me to see things from Violet’s perspective. When I first left, I was sure I was going to quit. Now, I didn’t know what I was going to do.

Eight

Maritza

January 1st

There was a solemn mood when we arrived at the firm today. Though none of the associates knew what was going on, the partners all seemed to be on one accord. We were in the large ballroom of the firm, which was usually where company parties were held, I was told. I was surprised they didn’t have a Christmas party, but this was the first year they gave their associates time off, and we all appreciated that more.

Violet paced in front of us all. She held the microphone but continuously hesitated to speak. Jeremy stepped in front of her, gripping her shoulders and speaking to her softly. After the quick pep talk, Violet nodded adamantly and wiped a quick tear before turning in our direction.

“Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for coming in a few minutes early for this emergency meeting. This is not something any of us wanted to discuss repeatedly, so we’re glad you honored our requests and came in early.” Violet paused and looked back at Jeremy and Flex, and that’s when I noticed Quentin wasn’t with them.

Had he left the firm?

“When security came in last night to do a sweep of the building in preparation for our return this morning, they noticed Quentin’s login information had been active since the day after Christmas.” My heart dropped. “He had a heart attack at his desk and transitioned, and no one knew until last night.” Her eyes squeezed shut as she pulled in a shaky breath. “Quentin was so committed to this firm, his associates, his clients, that he’d completely destroyed his social life. He no longer had a personal relationship with family or friends, and that’s why no one found it odd that they hadn’t heard from him since Christmas. There was no reason a forty-three-year-old man should have died so young and so alone.”

When her tears started to fall, Jeremy gently took the microphone and guided her into Flex’s arms.

“Let’s please have a moment of silence for Quentin Prime,” he directed. We all bowed our heads in silence. “His funeral information will be sent out via the company email. His family is requesting a closed viewing for them only, but we are all invited to the funeral. Effective immediately…” Jeremy paused and scanned the room, as if he was looking for someone. When his eyes landed on me, his expression saddened. “It is the managing partner’s decision to make Mecca Smith the next named partner.” While some people gasped, cursed, and expressed their confusion, others cheered and clapped.

Mecca was a senior associate. He and Amelia had been doing phenomenal work along the lines of class action lawsuits and civil cases. They were bringing in millions over the last few months with the cases they’d been taking on. Mecca was a titan now that he’d niched down to what he was truly passionate about, and I was genuinely happy for him.

I couldn’t deny that I was upset over a senior associate beating out senior partners for a named partner position—especially when that was promised to me when my sister and I arrived. Why did I expect Violet to keep her word to me when she hadn’t kept it to Jeremy? I was sure she had a reason for the change, but at this moment, I didn’t give a damn about her reasoning.

“You okay?” Sakura checked.

I didn’t realize the meeting was over and people had started to trickle out until she took my hand into hers. Jeremy stood in the distance—watching me.

“I’m fine,” I lied, trying to walk away, but she held my hand tighter.

“Hey... I know how important advancement is to you, and she told us she would make you the next named partner because of our experience. It was a downgrade for us to come here as senior partners, but we accepted that because of the pay and promised billable hours and opportunities.” I nodded, gritting my teeth, and avoiding Jeremy’s eyes. “There’s no point in going to her about it, especially right now. She didn’t honor her word to Jeremy, and she won’t honor it to you.” My head hung and nodded. “Now’s the time to reconsider his offer. You both can leave and have the positions you deserve.”

She gave me a quick hug before leaving me there in my thoughts. Jeremy took a step in my direction, but Mecca and Shalom cut him off. It seemed they were just as confused about the announcement as we all were. I was confident, if they believed he could handle the position, he deserved it. Still, I was pissed off. Violet made me a promise, and now I couldn’t help but wonder if it was one sheeverintended to keep.

Nine

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