“Sadie has been with the company for more than six years now, and I know I’m not the only one who has noticed how often she goes above and beyond the call of duty.” Bill makes direct eye contact with me, a warm smile on his face. “And while she has succeeded in all of her previous endeavors, it’s now time for her to manage her biggest project yet . . .”

I take in a long breath and just for a second close my eyes, hearing my new title before it actually comes out of Bill’s mouth.

“. . . training our brand-new senior financial analyst, Chad Thompson.”

The room goes silent, and my stomach bottoms out like I’m in a free-falling elevator. Which, frankly, would be preferable to sitting in this very room at this very moment. My hands clench the armrests of my chair like I might actually be plummeting.

Nobody speaks for at least a minute. It’s like we’re in an episode of Saved by the Bell and Zack Morris has called for a time-out. My chest aches because I’m pretty sure I’ve stopped breathing altogether.

“Who the fuck is Chad Thompson?” The words come blurting out of my mouth in a rush of air before I have time to fully comprehend what I’m saying. All I know is this has to be some kind of sick joke.

Bill stares at me like he’s never seen me before. “Chad is my future son-in-law. He just graduated from Yale with his MBA, and I think he’s going to be a terrific asset to the company. With your help and guidance, I have no doubt he’ll be a great leader.”

My mouth drops open, my brain struggling to process the words coming out of Bill’s stupid, stupid mouth. “With my help and guidance?” My voice is low and rumbly, one octave above full-blown Exorcist. “You seriously want me to train the man who’s straight-up stealing my job?”

Veronica tugs on my elbow, surreptitiously trying to calm me down, but I am having absolutely none of that.

“Sadie. You’re a very hard worker and a smart girl, but you aren’t ready for senior-level responsibility.” Bill’s voice drips with condescension, and I mentally take back every nice thing I’ve ever said about him.

“But some guy who hasn’t stepped foot in the building until today is? His major qualification being that he fucks your daughter?”

The room inhales a collective gasp. Veronica rolls her chair away from me, as if no longer willing to claim association.

My cheeks burn and oh my god I said that out loud.

“Everyone out,” Bill commands, his quiet pitch more terrifying than if he screamed the words.