She turned to face the entire staff and announced at the top of her voice, "Listen up, everyone!"
"After a thorough company investigation, it has been confirmed that Philippa Sullivan has been using con-artist psychology to brainwash and extort clients."
"She has severely damaged the Delgado Group's reputation. Every single one of those contracts was obtained through superstitious nonsense."
"Therefore, all of her commissions are hereby confiscated as reputational compensation to the company."
"And not only will you not see a dime, but given the damage you've caused to this company's image..."
"You'll also be signing this five-million-dollar liability claim."
"That's a load of crap. Those clients were begging me to sign with them." My whole body shook with rage.
Destroying my grandmother's charm. Withholding her life-saving money. And now demanding I pay five million on top of it?
"I want to see Bertram Delgado." I shoved Tamara out of my way and forced my way into the CEO's office.
Inside, Bertram was lounging on the sofa, cheerfully browsing gifts for Tamara.
The moment he saw me barge in, his face darkened.
"Philippa, who told you to come in here? Do you have any sense of propriety?"
I strode over and slammed the outrageous five-million-dollar claim down on his desk.
"Bertram Delgado, you'd better explain this to me."
I locked my eyes on his, searching for any shred of conscience still left in him.
"Bertram, put your hand on your heart and tell me the truth."
"When your funding chain collapsed, who was it that knelt before the Holy Mother's statue for three days and three nights to pray for your salvation?"
"Those billion-dollar contracts. Who was it that cast the holy cups and guided you to South Side to close those deals?"
"Now you're burning the bridge after crossing it, letting her steal my grandmother's life-saving money? Are you even human?"
Something flickered behind Bertram's eyes, a brief, guilty flinch. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by cold entitlement.
"Philippa, could you please stop trying to disgust me with your little mystic act?"
"Those clients were won through the company's brand equity and our advanced management systems. You just happened to be there."
"Do you actually think you're some kind of living saint? You've been leeching off this company for years. Isn't that enough?"
A wave of absurdity crashed over me, so overwhelming I almost laughed.
For years, every time Bertram hit a dead end, he'd come crawling to me like a spineless wreck, begging me to cast the cups and divine a way out.
When he needed me, I was a living goddess. When he didn't, suddenly he wanted to talk about logic and reason?
"Bertie, look at her. You've already exposed her, and she's still running her mouth." Tamara sauntered over and draped herself against Bertram's chest, her voice syrupy sweet.
"Why don't we call in Robin Lambert and the others for a face-to-face? That way she can't accuse us of ganging up on her."
Bertram pressed the intercom without hesitation.
Less than two minutes later, Robin Lambert walked in with several senior employees trailing behind him.
The moment I saw Robin, a flicker of hope sparked in my chest.
Two years ago, he'd been framed and saddled with tens of millions in bad debt. He'd been so desperate he was standing on the rooftop, ready to jump.
I was the one who cast the cups, unraveled the scheme within the scheme, and saved his life and his family.
The others, too. It was my guidance that pointed them to new clients, helped them put down roots in the Capital, buy homes, buy cars.
I thought they would at least speak up for me. Say one honest word.
But the second Robin Lambert walked through that door, he pointed his finger straight at my face, his expression blazing with righteous indignation.
"Mr. Delgado, Director Cooley is absolutely right!"
"Philippa Sullivan didn't just peddle superstitious nonsense in the office. She forced us to buy her Protection Charms at outrageous prices."
"And if we refused, she'd pull her mystic routine and spiritually bully us. We were too afraid to speak up."
I froze. "Robin, you..."
Beside him, a woman I'd once guided away from a fatal car accident stepped forward and began piling on the lies.
