That was considerably more difficult to explain away.
I filed a police report.
Naomi filed a civil battery claim.
She also sent Lorraine a preservation notice regarding her online statements.
Friday morning, Price Dynamics’ largest transportation client requested an emergency ethics review after discovering Lorraine’s viral video.
Another client delayed signing a renewal.
A reporter emailed the company for comment.
And Monroe Alder’s legal department received notice that Price Dynamics’ chief executive was the subject of a documented domestic violence complaint originating before he signed our disclosure certification.
At 11:20 a.m., Adrian called an emergency meeting.
At 11:47, Monroe Alder froze the remaining investment.
At 12:05, our attorneys demanded return of the bridge funds under the contractual clawback provision.
At 12:19, Owen began calling.
First Adrian.
Then legal.
Then investor relations.
Then Adrian again.
At 12:34, he left a voicemail screaming:
“You cannot kill an eight-million-dollar deal because of some private marital argument!”
At 12:52, he demanded to speak directly to Monroe Alder’s managing partner.
Adrian finally replied.
“She’s available at two.”
2:00 p.m.
Owen arrived thirteen minutes early.
I watched through the glass wall of my office as reception asked him to wait.
He paced.
Made calls.
Typed furiously.
At exactly two, my assistant opened the conference-room door.
“Mr. Price, she’ll see you now.”
Owen walked in.
I was sitting at the far end of a long walnut table.
For two full seconds, he didn’t recognize what he was seeing.
Then he looked behind himself.
“Where is she?”
I closed the folder in front of me.
“Sit down, Owen.”
His face tightened.
“What are you doing here?”
“Working.”
“I don’t have time for this.”
“I know.”
He looked toward my assistant.
“I’m supposed to meet the managing partner.”
“You are.”
“I said I need Cassandra Monroe.”
“Yes.”
His eyes returned to me.
And then I watched the truth arrive piece by piece.
The engraved nameplate on the table.
CASSANDRA MONROE — MANAGING PARTNER
The framed magazine cover on the wall.
My photograph.
The Monroe Alder logo behind me.
Adrian sitting to my right.
Our general counsel sitting to my left.
Owen stopped breathing for a moment.
“No.”
Nobody spoke.
He laughed once.
Weakly.
“No. Cass works payroll.”
“I worked payroll twelve years ago.”
“You told me—”
