"Elliot, you're different. You're so capable. If you take the fall, you might get some bad publicity, but it won't have a major impact on your future. Just say yes, and I'll stop being child-free. I'll give your family a kid," Alexia said.
She pulled out her phone and texted me the details.
That was when I found out what happened. After they got drunk last night, the client called asking about the contract revisions. Caleb was wasted. He got into an argument with the client and then posted the client's private information online.
The client was furious. They canceled the partnership and said they were going to sue Caleb for invasion of privacy.
So that was it. She'd cooked a meal for the first time in her life just to get me to take the blame for Caleb.
I let out a cold, mocking laugh.
Alexia thought that meant I was saying yes. She knew I'd always wanted kids. She wasn't surprised that I was caving. She kept lecturing me.
"You understand what matters. Honestly, you're partly responsible for this anyway. If you hadn't thrown a tantrum and refused to fix the contract yesterday, none of this would have happened. If you had just handled it, the client wouldn't have come chasing after updates, and Caleb wouldn't have been so drunk and confused that he made such a big mistake.
"Whatever. I'm done talking. Just handle it quickly. The longer this drags out, the worse it is for the company."
I shrugged.
"No thanks. Caleb is a top-tier talent. I'm just a nobody. I'm not qualified to take the fall for him."
Seeing me refuse, Alexia raised an eyebrow. She didn't get angry, though. She just sounded annoyed.
"Is this still about the dinner thing? Fine. I'll go with you today. Happy?"
Caleb, putting on a show of being magnanimous, chimed in.
"Alexia, he's obviously upset about the ring. I'll give it back to him right now. Hopefully, he calms down and stops coming after me."
With just a few words, he turned my refusal to take the blame into me targeting him personally.
He took off the ring and held it out to me, pretending to be generous. But his fingers were gripping it tight. His fingertips were white. He was terrified I'd snatch it away.
Alexia saw how pitiful he looked. Her heart broke for him. She pulled him aside and tossed me a cheap plastic ring instead.
"They gave this little trinket away at dinner last night. Take it for now. That diamond ring is dirty from Caleb wearing it. It's not suitable for you. I'll buy you a new one later."
I didn't reach for it. I let it fall to the floor and roll under the sofa.
My message was clear. I wasn't taking the blame.
Alexia saw that even after she'd humbled herself, I still wouldn't give in. She completely lost it.
"Elliot, how can you be so selfish? Fine, forget the company's interests. But now, you're going to ruin Caleb's future too?"
She kept saying she was doing everything for the company's sake.
But Caleb had made a massive mistake that damaged the company's interests. Instead of dealing with the problem at its source, she wanted me—the top salesperson—to take the fall for a replaceable intern.
How laughable.
"You're right. I'm selfish. So let me be selfless for once. We'll get a divorce. I'll get out of your way so you two star-crossed lovers can be together."
Alexia's eyes turned red with rage. She raised her hand and slapped me across the face.
"You bastard! Caleb and I are just normal coworkers. You're my husband. How can you spread nasty rumors about us like everyone else?"
I felt the sting on my cheek. I didn't hold back. I hit her back, twice as hard, and sent her sprawling to the floor.
"You know damn well whether you've crossed a line."
Alexia scrambled up, hysterical. She pointed at me and started screaming.
"Elliot, you actually hit me! You just wait. Even if you get down on your knees and beg, I will never forgive you!"
She hurled that threat, then grabbed Caleb and slammed the door behind them.
I looked at the mess they'd left behind. I didn't bother cleaning up. Instead, I started reaching out to the companies that had been trying to recruit me.
Because of my strong track record, there had always been plenty of offers.
