Page 161 of Power Play Rivals

“I’m afraid it has to do with your son, Ethan.”

The words barely left my lips when Benjamin takes a whole new sterner demeanor, his smile nowhere in sight as I suspected.

“What did my idiot son do now?” he grumbles.

I begin to explain in great detail how Ethan built a website with the sole purpose of defaming my client, Nathan, so he would lose his job with the Guardians. I show him the article he uploaded just a few days ago, filled with false incriminating statements from Nathan’s estranged mother, and other unknown sources, aiming to destroy Nathan’s reputation.

“That doesn’t make any sense? Why would Ethan go through all this trouble? Nathan Wilder is nothing to us,” Benjamin quickly defends.

“I actually asked myself that same question. What would Ethan have to gain with my client losing his job?” I ask. “But then I remembered a certain conversation he had with me last summer. He gloated about signing Henri ‘The Wall’ Girard to ProStar and how his new client was looking to leave the Ontario Blizzards so he could move to the States. He also hinted that Henri would be a perfect addition to the Guardians and how fortuitous it was since Nathan was sure to lose his slot on the team anyway. So I did what any good sports agent would.”

When Benjamin’s jaw starts to tick, I know he can tell where I’m going with this.

“I called Henri,” I state plainly.

“Of course you did,” Benjamin lets out a gruff exhale. “And let me guess? Henri told you he only signed with ProStar because Ethan promised him the Guardians, correct?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Idiot.” Benjamin shakes his head in disgust. “Rule 101 in being a sports agent—never offer your client something unless you are absolutely sure you can deliver. Always get the offer in writing before you say anything to a client.”

“Oh, Ethan got it in writing, alright,” I interject. “If you check Henri’s contract, you will see a six-month clause in it. A clause that clearly states that if Ethan cannot get a contract for Henri in a US hockey team within its probation period of six months, then the contract becomes null and void. Not only that, but there’s also another clause that requires ProStar to pay a million dollars to Henri for punitive damages, compensating for the time he lost with Ethan when he could have been with a more experienced agent that would have gotten him the deal he wanted.

“You have got to be kidding me?” Benjamin’s eyes grow wide in astonishment.

“I’m afraid not.” I shake my head, feeling somewhat sorry that he has to deal with this clusterfuck of a situation.

But then again, he should never have given Ethan the keys to his kingdom if he thought his son couldn’t handle the pressure.

“Unfortunately, I have more bad news.”

“I’m afraid to ask,” he mumbles, digging his fingers into his gray hair in frustration. “Go on, Piper. Though I already suspect what you’re going to say.”

“During our call, I learned that Henri’s only wish to move to the States is because his new wife is American—from Chicago, to be more precise—and she would like to live closer to her family. Since Henri wasn’t leaning into any specific team, I took the liberty of reaching out to the Chicago Titans myself. It turns out they have a spot for Henri next season if he wants it, which they’ve guaranteed in writing,” I explain flatly. “After discussing this possible deal with him, Henri affirmed that he will let the six-month period with ProStar expire, and then he’ll be signing with me and ESA to represent him.”

“As I said, impressive,” Benjamin groans with a weak smile. “I assume you will reach out to Ethan’s other clients too?”

I nod.

“Ethan has always been very clear that he does not have his client’s best interests at heart. And now that his deviousness and dishonesty are going to come to light, I feel it’s only right that I offer my services to his clients so they can be as far away as possible from the toxic, bad press your son is about to acquire.”

“Come to light, huh? Let me guess? You’re taking my son to court for defamation charges?”

“I’ve instructed Nathan to do that, yes.” I nod, keeping eye contact with him at all times.

“You’re a shark, Ms. Lee. Honorable, yes, but no less deadly,” he rebukes with a hint of admiration in his gaze and a small smile on his lips. When his gaze turns from esteemed to disappointment, I know he’s no longer looking at me but at the prodigal son who is now walking towards us.

I quickly get up from Ethan’s chair as he walks past me with that smug-ass grin, thinking he’s bested me with that damn article.

“Well, hello there, Piper. Are you the waitress on duty tonight? Did ESA finally kick your ass to the curb?” Ethan laughs mockingly.

“Shut up, Ethan, and sit down!” Benjamin scowls.

Ethan’s smug grin falls flat as his confused gaze bounces off me and his infuriated father.

“What’s going on?”

“We have some urgent matters to discuss. You’re in a precarious position in ProStar, for one, and your impending legal action, for another. What were you thinking? I should feed you to the wolves myself rather than deal with your incompetency.”

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