Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“I want you to know, I’ve met with Luca this morning,” he says, his tone cold and clipped. “I’ve recommended your dismissal.”
My stomach drops, but I force myself to sit up straighter. “You what?”
“You heard me and surely this can’t be a shock. Your strategy cost us valuable points. And let’s not pretend your relationship with Nash isn’t affecting your judgment. Everyone can see it and it’s inappropriate.”
The accusation lands like a punch, but I refuse to flinch. “My relationship with Nash had nothing to do with the call I made for Matthieu. It was a calculated risk, and I made it based on the data.”
Hendrik scoffs. “Calculated risk? You gambled, and it failed. And now the entire team pays the price. You’re not fit for this role.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, a mix of anger and humiliation. “I made a mistake,” I admit, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “But mistakes happen in this sport. Matthieu’s made them too. Or should I remind you of the race in Jeddah? Did you recommend he be replaced because of that?”
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t respond to the jab. Instead, he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “You don’t belong here, Toliver. There’s no room in this sport for you. Now, I have no idea what Luca’s going to do, but should he not heed my recommendation, do not think things are going to get easier for you. I’ll make it my mission to drum you out of this sport entirely. You won’t even be able to get a job selling hot dogs at a karting race for kids.”
My jaw drops in shock over what seems to be hatred of me. I can’t help but ask, “Is it because I’m a woman that you dislike me so much?”
Hendrik stands from the chair with a smirk of superiority. “I’d answer that, but I don’t want HR breathing down my neck for discrimination.”
He winks, creepy as hell, before walking out of my office without a backward glance. My hands clench into fists, but the knot in my stomach refuses to loosen. The worst part is, he might be right. Maybe I just don’t belong at this level.
I know I need to go see Luca, but before I can even rise from my chair, my phone pings with a text from the man himself. Can you come see me in my office at your convenience?
Fear causes a surge of panic to nearly swallow me. Sure, I was going to Luca’s office to see him of my own volition but somehow being summoned seems so ominous. I text him back with shaking hands. On my way.
The walk to Luca’s office feels like a march to the gallows. When I step inside, he’s seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable. He gestures for me to sit, and I comply, folding my hands in my lap to keep them from trembling.
“Hendrik spoke to me,” he begins, his usually melodious Italian accent strained. “He’s raised some serious concerns about your decision-making and your relationship with Nash. He seems to believe you can’t command the respect of Matthieu and that you’re at odds with the rest of the strategy team.”
“That is not true,” I say. “But I am at odds with Hendrik and Matthieu. While I understand his concerns, my relationship with Nash hasn’t influenced my strategy. The call I made for Matthieu was based on the data. It was a risk, yes, but one I believed could pay off.”
“And yet it didn’t,” Luca says gently but firmly. “Matthieu’s result was a significant blow to the team. Hendrik’s argument is that a more conservative strategy would have guaranteed points.”
“That’s hindsight,” I counter, my voice steady, despite the storm inside me. “Every strategy has an element of risk. If the undercut had worked, we’d be having a very different conversation.”
Luca studies me for a long moment, his hands steepled under his chin. “I believe in your talent, Bex. But the dynamic within the team is becoming… tense. Hendrik and Matthieu are questioning your leadership, and that’s a problem I can’t ignore.”
The words cut deeper than I expect, especially since he’s seemed so supportive of me. I nod slowly, processing the weight of what he’s saying. “So, what happens now?”
“I want you to stay,” he says with a sad smile. “But when we first talked to Nash about coming on the team, he divulged to me and Brienne about your past relationship. Brienne and I were both immediately ready to cut you loose because the driver is more important than the strategist. Of course, Nash didn’t want you to lose your job, but Brienne’s direction was clear… if you caused problems with Nash, you were to be cut. I have to believe she’d say the same about any issues you’d have with Matthieu. So, I’m in a quandary right now.”