“Is this some kind of temper tantrum? I gave the position to someone else, and you make an entire production to show me you don’t need me. Is that it?”

“I. Don’t. Need. You,” she says.

“Is that how this is going to be. I didn’t promote you so you leave?”

“There’s a lot more to this, including that he stole my intellectual property and you wouldn’t believe me.”

“According to your contract, whatever you create becomes my company’s property, which means neither one of you own the logos, slogans, or other marketing materials.”

“Not the point.” She crosses her arms. “He stole my ideas, you promoted him based on them.”

“Stay and fight if that’s the case,” I argue.

“I wanted to until I realized there’s no point to it.” She shakes her head. “I found a better place for me, with a better salary and benefits; where my employer will treat me as a person.”

I grind my teeth. Adrenaline rushes through my veins, along with anger. Is she fucking kidding me? Just like that, she’s packing and leaving everything behind. There’s a pounding in my head. An edgy twitchy feeling is making me want to fight with her brother, make him hit me until the fucking physical pain replaces what’s happening inside me.

Who the fuck is hiring her? That’s when everything suddenly falls into place. This isn’t new, is it?

“Here’s what I’m wondering now, Ms. Solis,” I say controlling my tone. “The hiring process for any company usually takes more than a week. Let’s say you applied on Monday, after you quit. The company doesn’t contact you right away.”

I wave a hand, inviting her to join the conversation. “Help me here, please. How is it they hired you within four days and you’re already leaving?”

She smiles. “You never noticed me, but other people did. A headhunter reached out to me and guess what, I accepted their offer this past Tuesday.”

I nod, pressing my lips tight. “Were you going to play with me?”

“What if I was?” she crosses her arms.

“It’s always about money, isn’t it, Claire? Whoever gives you what you want. You played your cards well. You had an ace up your sleeve. You’re like everyone else.”

“Says who? The man who only cares about his earnings, his clients, and himself. Does it hurt knowing I don’t need you? I got a job with a better salary, more benefits, and a better quality of life.”

“You thought after the weekend the job was yours.”

She slaps me. “You’re such an asshole. Get the fuck out of here.”

“Just a reminder; you can’t take my clients, or I’ll sue you.”

“Do you want to involve lawyers?” She gives me a daring look.