The Price Of His Mistake Chapter 04
Emily jolted. She scrambled to her feet, eyes going red, the picture of wounded innocence.
“I’m so sorry, Catherine… I just wanted to help the firm. I really didn’t mean to cause any trouble…”
A woman in her twenties. Crying was her only move. I couldn’t stomach it.
Andrew’s taste had fallen this far.
He rushed over, having heard the news. He immediately stepped in front of her.
“Catherine, don’t blame Emily. I approved it.”
“She needs hands-on experience with real deals. I gave her the client so she could learn. Did you have to humiliate her in front of everyone?”
I heard that. Something between a laugh and pure fury rose in my chest. I didn’t hold back.
“Andrew, do my top-tier clients mean nothing to you? Does this firm’s reputation mean nothing?”
Andrew froze.
At the office, I’d always given him full decision-making power.
No matter how reckless his calls were, I’d clean up the mess in private. In public, I gave him nothing but respect.
He never expected me to dress him down in front of the entire staff. No soft landing. No saving face.
“Catherine, watch it. I’m the Portfolio Manager.” His voice dropped to a warning.
“You’re worried about appearances?” My voice rang out clear across the silent floor. “Everyone’s watching. And this is how you favor her in front of everyone.”
Andrew’s mouth opened. Nothing came out. His face cycled through shades of red and white.
I didn’t stop. I held his eyes and kept going.
“You took the proposal I bled for. You put her name on it. You told the client it was hers.”
“You took the connections I spent years building. You handed them to her like playthings.”
“Are you grooming her to be the next Managing Partner? Or the next wife?”
The words hit the room like a detonation. Every colleague stared at their shoes. No one breathed.
Andrew’s eyes went wide. “Catherine! What the hell are you saying?”
Looking at him, watching him fall apart, I realized I couldn’t even summon anger anymore.
Seven years. All that disappointment. Spent. Drained. All that was left was clarity. And ice.
I straightened my suit cuff. My voice settled into absolute calm.
“So that’s it. We’re getting divorced. I sent you the papers last night.”
“Since you don’t check your messages, I’ll say it to your face.”
Andrew stood frozen. Disbelief was plastered all over his face.
I flicked a glance at Emily. My final words were flat.
“One more thing. Someone will be here tomorrow to take over this firm. Both of you should start packing.”