Chapter 3

My third day at Sinclair Group.

I spent half an afternoon clearing a thorny government liaison project for Phil.

Phil signed off a hundred-thousand-dollar bonus on the spot, and told me to book the best private chef's tasting menu in town that night to celebrate.

I had the car keys in my hand, about to head down to the garage, when Ridgetech's second bomb went off, and it was ugly.

The holidays were right around the corner.

Back when I was at Ridgetech, every time one of these traditional occasions rolled around, I'd start planning the gifts a full month ahead.

Winifred Finch, over at Nova Capital, was a socialite who lived for appearances.

Last year, for the holidays, I called in favor after favor and got hold of a one-of-a-kind kiln-fired teacup set from a retired master in Charleston.

It made Winifred the star of the socialites' tea party.

And it made Lloyd Finch sign, with one big stroke of the pen, a fifteen-million-dollar annual framework contract with Ridgetech.

This year, Bianca had taken over the gift-giving.

Around dusk, Ned called. The background was a mess of noise, like someone was smashing things.

"Fiona, we've got a disaster. Lloyd came storming into the company with his legal team!"

Ned's voice was shaking.

"The holiday gift Bianca sent Winifred drove Lloyd out of his mind."

I hit the brake and pulled over to the curb. "What did she send?"

"She sent... a $9.99 free-shipping holiday pie."

"And stuffed inside it was this hideous travel mug with the Ridgetech logo on it."

"Apparently Winifred was hosting her socialites' tea party today, with seven or eight of the richest wives in her circle there."

"The ladies burst out laughing on the spot. Somebody even sneaked a video and posted it in their group chat."

"Winifred took it as a massive insult and called Lloyd right then and there, saying Ridgetech had humiliated her on purpose."

On the other end came a huge crash, then Lloyd's unmistakable, gravelly voice.

"Sam Dickerson, get your ass out here!"

Ned hung up fast, then sent me a recording from the scene.

"I pay you fifteen million a year in PR fees, and this is the crap you fob my wife off with?"

"You think Nova Capital only rates garbage like this?"

Sam was clearly rattled by the whole scene. His voice was trembling.

"Lloyd, Lloyd, there's got to be some kind of misunderstanding here. This was handled by our new director, Bianca Whitney, she was in charge of the purchasing..."

Lloyd's legal team took a step forward.

"Mr. Dickerson, we don't need an explanation. We're here today to unilaterally terminate the annual framework contract."

"Furthermore, your company's insulting gift-giving has done serious damage to the reputation of Mr. and Mrs. Finch and of Nova Capital."

"We reserve the right to pursue your firm for defamation."

Then Bianca's shrill defense cut into the recording.

Not only did she not apologize, she was righteous about it.

"Lloyd, how can you be so materialistic?"

"These days the whole country is promoting going green and being thrifty!"

"The pie I picked has simple packaging, and the travel mug was to remind Winifred to drink more hot water."

"It answers the country's call and shows a human touch. How can you not understand that?"

The recording went dead silent.

Two seconds later, Lloyd let out a roar and slammed his palm down on the table.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You're not fit to lecture me!"

"Sam Dickerson, you sic an idiot like this on me to make me sick? From today, Nova Capital cuts off all cooperation with Ridgetech, completely!"

"I'm going to call the chamber of commerce myself and let everyone in the circle see exactly what Ridgetech is really like!"

With that, Lloyd slammed the door and left.

The recording ended with Sam's shattered roar.

"Bianca, what the hell are you doing!"