Chapter 4

Two weeks later, in a sharp suit, I walked into the bidding meeting.

I could hear my sister offending someone before I even reached the room.

"Mr. Finch, long time no see, and going balder, I see. Getting old, hormones dropping to match? No wonder I spotted your wife out with some cute young guy the other day. Somebody's not getting satisfied at home!"

"Wallis Sullivan, what in the world are you wearing? You look like something out of a barn. No wonder your husband cheated with his secretary. If I were a man I couldn't kiss that face either."

"Mr. James, that autistic kid of yours still alive? Honestly, quit wasting money on treatment. Take him out onto the highway and try your luck. Better to hurry up and start over with a new one."

The company owners around them went dark in the face, saying nothing.

Even my mother seemed to sense something was off, and forced out a couple of awkward laughs.

"Children speak without thinking. My Sophie's got a simple heart, always says what's on her mind, whatever it is. Please don't hold it against her."

Wallis was not one to swallow a loss. She looked my sister up and down and said with contempt,

"I really don't know how the two of you went so blind. You've got a smart, sensible daughter and you tossed her aside to prop this useless one up. Now I'm curious just how long it'll take before the Dickersons go under."

My father flared up at once.

"How dare you talk like that?"

Wallis gave a snort. "I like to say what's on my mind too, whatever it is."

My father choked on it, unable to fire back.

Zion James's son had always been the raw nerve in his chest. He clenched his jaw.

"The Dickersons think far too little of us, handing us your cost quote like that. Don't blame us later if we play rough."

"And since you've offended us, don't blame us for muscling in on every Dickerson project from here on out."

My father's face went white in an instant. His lips trembled as he turned to my sister.

"You actually sent it out? Your sister didn't stop you?"

She stuck out her lower lip, sulking. "I haven't been able to find her for weeks. Who knows where she's off gallivanting!"

"Besides, it's not like I need her. I've got my own strategy. I'll beat them fair and square!"

But this time my parents didn't praise her the way they used to. They panicked.

"Call Carissa Dickerson, now! She has to be here to fix this!"

My father barked the order at my mother while his eyes darted around, searching for me, anxious.

When his gaze met mine, standing not far off, the relief on his face was plain.

My mother came striding over and unloaded on me before I could say a word.

"Where the hell have you been? On a day this important, how are you, the secretary, only showing up now?"

"You've done this job for years. Don't you know the cost quote is a trade secret that can't leak out? Did all that education go to the dogs?"

"Pull out the new plan, now! If there's a single slip in this bid, I will not let it go!"

My father was only just surfacing from his fright, and it seemed to curdle into wounded fury.

"What scheme is running through that head of yours now? Did you come late on purpose to make your sister look bad?"

He raised his arm high, ready to bring his hand down hard across my face as a lesson.

I only gripped his wrist tight, looked straight into his eyes, and said calmly,

"Mr. Dickerson, I'm now a project manager at the Simmons Group. The client you've all been talking about. I'd appreciate a little respect."

"And if you or your family raise your voices at me one more time, don't blame me for cancelling the Dickersons' bidding eligibility on the spot."