"She's a top graduate from an elite program and has been working at my side for quite some time now."
"She's every bit as capable and sharp as Delilah. I'd appreciate it if everyone gave her a fair chance."
The spotlight swung to Shelagh.
The audience erupted in applause.
Shelagh lifted her chin, triumph written across her face.
As she passed me, she dropped her voice just low enough for only me to hear.
"Delilah, if you can't keep up, you step aside."
"I hope you don't mind if I don't hold back."
"We can't have our clients thinking Stellaris Group is staffed by pathetic women who reek of piss."
One sentence, and everything I'd built was hers.
I clenched my teeth and looked at Drew one last time.
Waiting for him to do something for me.
The way he had ten years ago, when he'd pushed back against everyone to bring me into the company.
The way he'd just done for Shelagh, backing her without a second's hesitation.
He didn't.
His gaze dropped to my soaked pant leg for a moment.
Then quietly looked away.
Behind me, security guards moved in on cue, pressing me to leave the stage.
I stood there in the silence until it belonged to me. Then I straightened my spine, walked through the puddle, and opened my mouth.
Every word hurt. But I made sure they heard every one.
"I appreciate your concern, Mr. Henson, but I'm fine."
"I've led this project from day one. Pulling me now would be a disservice to the client."
"If you want to fire me, fine—but not until I've finished this presentation."
A flicker of surprise crossed Drew's face.
His brow creased slightly.
Displeasure, faint but unmistakable, though he didn't stop me again.
Instead, he kept raising objections throughout my presentation, making sure everyone in the room could feel his disapproval.
What should have been a two-hour pitch dragged out the entire afternoon.
I'd walked in brimming with confidence. By the end, every minute felt like an hour.
Nobody in that room cared how good my presentation was, how thorough, how polished.
They were all speculating about when I'd be forced out of Stellaris.
Every single one of them could see it.
Even without the incident.
Today's presentation was the end of my career.
Because Drew already had a new girl by his side.
By the time I finally stepped off that stage, my ankles were near collapse.
Every step drove pain straight up through the bones of my feet, like walking on the tips of knives.