Not even a flicker of grief stirred in me.
Crying over that bitch wasn't worth it. She didn't deserve it.
Right then, Prudence came back reeking of wine, Richard's arm wrapped around her waist as if staking a claim, shooting me a smug, taunting smile.
Something complicated crossed Prudence's eyes as she looked at me. She said in a low voice, "I came to pack up my things. From now on, I won't be living here, so you—"
I cut her off before she could finish. "I already threw your things in the dumpster downstairs."
Prudence arched a brow and let out a sigh. "Ernest, isn't that a little heartless of you?"
"Even if we can't be family, at least we can stay friends—"
I cut in again, sneering. "Ms. Pruitt, that's a sickeningly fake thing to say."
If we'd parted on good terms, maybe friendship would've been possible.
But what was this, exactly?
Prudence stabbed me in the back in front of everyone, left me standing there at the company's celebration banquet like a clown while Richard dumped wine over my head, and she didn't so much as glance my way.
And now she wanted to stay friends?
Did she think I was an idiot she could toy with?
Prudence's brow knit slightly, but before she could speak, Richard cut in with that snide tone of his. "Ernest, let's not dance around it."
"Those shares in your hands have to go back to the company."
Prudence chimed in. "Hand the shares back, and I'll give you a million as compensation."
"On top of that, I'll give you another million, call it making up for what I owe you. How's that sound?"
"Two million is no small amount. Spend it carefully and it's enough to keep you fed and comfortable for the rest of your life."
Two million, to buy out the founding shares I held and everything I'd given Prudence over the years?
How cheap.
I said coldly, "And if I don't agree?"
Richard sneered. "Ernest, don't push your luck."
"Don't get too greedy. The consequences are more than you can handle."
So now we were on to threats?
I was about to throw something cutting back at him when Prudence's face darkened. "The shares you're holding don't matter much to the company. Coming here to talk it through nicely with you is already more than you deserve."
"If you think that little bit of stock gives you any hold over me, you're being naive."
"Ernest, don't forget, you signed an agreement with the company back then. The moment you leave, you can't take those shares with you."
"And if I want to force you out of the company, I have plenty of ways."
"Think it over carefully."
Facing Prudence's threat, I genuinely wanted to grab a knife from the kitchen and hack the two of them into mincemeat.
In the end, I held back.
Just as she'd said, forcing me to resign wouldn't be hard for her at all.
After all, even before the company went public, Prudence and Richard had already worked together to strip me of nearly all real power.
I might still be VP at Pruitt Corp, but it was an empty title and nothing more.
A few minutes later, under the gloating, triumphant stares of Prudence and Richard, I signed the share transfer agreement.
Then they tossed down a check and walked off without a backward glance.
They'd gotten what they came for. Naturally, they couldn't be bothered to linger and deal with me any longer.
