Chapter 5 - The Corporate Fall
Before Bennett could process Naomi’s words, his personal cell phone began ringing frantically from inside his jacket pocket. The screen flashed with the name Jonathan Sterling — Senior Vice President.
Bennett’s hands shook so violently he dropped the phone twice before managing to swipe the green button and press it to his ear.
"J-Jonathan," Bennett stammered, trying to sound professional despite the tears drying on his face. "I was just about to head into the office for our morning briefing—"
The voice on the other end was loud enough for Naomi and me to hear clearly through the receiver. It was thunderous, furious, and completely stripped of corporate etiquette.
"Don't bother showing up, Clark," Sterling roared. "Your company keycard has already been deactivated, and building security has been instructed to escort you off the property if you step within a hundred feet of the campus!"
"Jonathan, listen to me!" Bennett cried out, his voice cracking into a high-pitched whine. "Whatever Heather told you, she’s a con artist! She set me up!"
"Heather Jenkins hasn't told me anything because she's currently sitting in a holding cell!" Sterling fired back. "The United States Postal Inspection Service and the SEC just served our legal department with a subpoena for every travel expense report, client dinner receipt, and corporate card ledger you filed over the past eighteen months!"
Bennett’s breath hitched in his throat.
"You booked your Tahoe love nest using the regional client hospitality budget, you idiot!" Sterling shouted. "You submitted Heather's diamond earrings as corporate promotional gifts for our medical supplier! You committed felony corporate embezzlement right under our noses!"
"I can repay it!" Bennett pleaded, tears running down his nose. "I have assets! I have equity in my house!"
"You don't have anything, Clark," Sterling replied with venomous finality. "The board met thirty minutes ago in an emergency executive session. You are terminated for gross ethical misconduct and cause. Furthermore, the company is filing an immediate civil lawsuit for full financial restitution plus damages. Do not contact me again."
The call ended with a sharp, hollow click.
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Bennett stared at the black phone screen as if the world had collapsed directly onto his shoulders. In less than four hours, he had lost his mistress, his stolen fortune, his executive career, and his pristine high-society reputation.
"You told me on Friday that I couldn't survive without you, Bennett," I said quietly, watching him shake uncontrollably. "It turns out you were projecting your own reality all along."
