Chapter 15

The problem was, Marcus was the lead on their biggest deal: a $3.4 billion hostile takeover of a beloved, family-run green energy company in California. The deal was already facing public backlash for being a vulture-capital move.The phone rang in the boardroom. It was the CEO of the green energy company."Alistair," the CEO's voice was frigid. "I just saw the news. We are, effective immediately, rejecting your offer. We will not, under any circumstances, allow our company, our employees, or our legacy to be associated with the kind of culture represented by Mr. Thorne. Any further attempts at contact will be considered hostile harassment. We are done."The line went dead. The $3.4 billion deal, which would have netted Greystone a fortune, was gone—evaporated.Alistair Reed looked at his partners. The decision was unanimous.Marcus was still being processed at the Heathrow police station. He was released with a fine and a caution. When his corporate Amex was declined, his company phone buzzed. It was an email from Alistair Reed.Subject: Termination of Employment.Marcus, the email began,Your actions on AuraJet 101 were not just a personal embarrassment; they were a direct and catastrophic violation of the Greystone Capital Code of Conduct. Your 'reprehensible behavior,' as AuraJet so accurately put it, has directly resulted in the collapse of the Evergreen Energy deal, costing this firm billions in potential revenue and inflicting incalculable damage to our reputation. You are fired, effective immediately, for cause. All unvested stock options are forfeit. Your partnership is dissolved. Do not come to the office. Your personal effects will be couriered to you. We are done.Marcus dropped his phone. It clattered to the floor of the police station lobby.For cause. That meant no severance, no golden parachute. All his unvested stock—that was tens of millions of dollars, gone in six hours. From JFK to LHR, he had flown from the top of the world to rock bottom.Chloe had it just as bad. As an influencer, her currency was her image. But the image of her hiding her face while being escorted off a plane was not one her sponsors—Dior, Revolve, and a dozen high-end wellness brands—wanted to be associated with. By the end of the day, her contracts were all terminated, citing morality clauses.Marcus Thorne, banned from the airline, fired from his job, and publicly humiliated, was stranded in London. He couldn't even book a hotel: he had to take the Heathrow Express train to Paddington—a commoner journey he hadn't made in decades—and find a cheap hotel that would take his personal credit card. He was, in every sense of the word, grounded.

Rich Passenger Mocks Black Woman In First Class Then Learns She Owns The Airline

“I Helped a Duke Find His Lost Dog,” She Told Her Mother — Then the Garden Gate Opened

They Met by Chance Beneath a Scottish Willow — Until Leaving Became Harder Than Staying

Five Cops Humiliated a Black Woman on the Roadside — Then Her FBI Badge Fell Out

Two Cops Arrested a Black Woman Riding a Harley — Unaware She Was the County Sheriff

HOA Installed A Gate On My Private Bridge — So I Removed The Entire Bridge Overnight!

News in the same category

Rich Passenger Mocks Black Woman In First Class Then Learns She Owns The Airline