Page 16 of The Art of Deception

The offer of tenancy in the new megacomplex is still available in the new art deco area if you wish to discuss this further with us.

Furthermore, Scott Enterprises wishes you well in your new endeavors, and if you seek assistance in your departure from Hope & Faith Ink, we can designate helpers to support with your closure.

Best regards,

Alex Scott

My eyes widen as anger surges through every inch of my body. My breathing comes in hard and fast as I read over the last paragraph again, just to make sure I have read it correctly. I sigh as my palms sweat with pure, unadulterated rage.

How dare he?

“You’re nothing but an asshole, Alex Scott,” I scoff.

Swiping my cell from the table, I dial Jana’s number. It rings twice before her chirpy voice squeaks down the line. “Chica, I know youloooveme, but calling for a late-night hook-up is a little beyond you, isn’t it?” she jokes.

“I got another email,” I grunt.

“Oh, shit! Hit me! How bad?”

“He offered support to help us basically pack up the place.” My tone conveys how utterly ludicrous that is.

“What the actual fuck? You’ve got to be joking. Is he trying to be the world’s biggest cock face?”

I scoff out a laugh. “I know, right? The guy actually thinks giving me a measly sum of stinking money for my trouble and offering me a place… one that I can’t possibly afford in thenew megacomplex… is compensation enough for him taking my business, my livelihood, mylifeaway from me, and he what? Offers me a helping hand to do it? Fuck me! Honestly, what an ass!”

“I can’t believe the nerve… these business-types thinking they’re all high and mighty when they’re just fucking up the world,” Jana grunts.

“Tell me about it.” I glance over at Levi.How is he going to take all this when shit goes down? I have no idea how he’s going to cope.

“You should write an email back,” Jana’s enthuses.

I like where she’s going with this.

My eyes widen as I sit up taller. “Hmm, but what to say?”

She giggles. “Just tell him how you feel… professionally, of course.”

I smirk, putting her on speaker. “Okay, I’m gonna type it… hang on.”

Mr. Scott,

I appreciate the remuneration for having to leave our beloved Hope & Faith Ink. However, my lack of response to your emails should have made my stance clear.

Generally, a code of silence is a condition in effect when a person opts to withhold what is believed to be vital or important information. This vitally important information in this instance is, that you, sir, are a pompous, arrogant jerk.

Thank you for your offer of support for the closure of Hope & Faith Ink, but you can kindly shove that right up your own ass and choke on it!

Without best regards,

Miss Beaufort

I giggle to myself as I type it out.

Damn! It started out so professional, and then I couldn’t help myself.

I shrug.Oh well.I may as well let him know how I truly feel because I have absolutely nothing to lose right now. I grin, reading it out loud to Jana, and she bursts out laughing.

“Holy shit! Yes, you have to send it, girl. Do it! Have you clicked send yet?” she gushes frantically.

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