My hand was shaking as I picked up the pen. Brad leaned in close enough that I could smell his cologne and whispered, “Sign it, sweetheart, or by Monday you’ll be answering phones at a call center in Toledo.” I pressed the pen down — and then I set it back on the table. The glass door hissed open behind them. Heels on marble. Silence. Denise turned first and the color drained out of her face so fast I actually watched it happen. Standing in the doorway was Eleanor Whitfield, the CEO of the parent company, flanked by two lawyers and the head of the client’s board. In Eleanor’s hand was a leather folder I recognized instantly — the confidential patent submission I had filed nine months earlier through the company’s internal innovation program, before Brad and Denise had ever heard the word “algorithm.” Eleanor’s voice was calm, almost gentle. “Bradley. Denise. Please explain to me why you are attempting to make our lead inventor sign away her own work forty seconds before the Halcyon board arrives.” Brad started stammering about “team contributions.” Eleanor cut him off with one raised finger. She turned to me and said, “Chloe, I’ve been reading your monthly innovation reports personally since month three. The Halcyon deal is being signed in your name today, not theirs. Your promotion to Chief of Fraud Analytics was approved last night.” Then she looked at Brad, whose hand was still frozen on my binder, and added quietly, “Security is waiting in the hallway to collect your laptops. HR will explain the clawback on your bonuses.” Denise actually sat down on the floor. I picked up my badge, dusted it off, and walked past them to shake the client’s hand. Brad tried to say my name. I didn’t turn around.
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