Page 84 of Atticus
“Let me get something straight.” I do my best to keep my voice level. “My rights have been trampled, somebody has taken and shared photographs of me inside my home, and your response to this gross violation of my privacy is to fire me?”
“Oh my god.” Denise rubs the side of her temple, standing close enough to me so I can hear her talking to herself. “I’m gonna be called to court and questioned on a witness stand.” She speaks louder. “This is wrong, you all know that, right?”
“This is not a democracy or a tribune, Ms. Cartwright,” Carlisle snaps.
“You’re the one that made it so. This is unprofessional, uncalled for, and frankly, pathetic,” Denise replies, unwilling to back down. “You’ve created this giant spectacle when you should’ve pulled herprivatelyinto your office to discuss aprivateissue.”
“That’s enough,” Carlisle barks before focusing again on me. “Miss Binkley, if you would be so kind as to accompany Miss Warren to her classroom so she can gather her things and remain with her there until the sheriff can send over an officer to escort her off the premises?”
“I’m sorry, is this prison?” Heather Binkley, the art teacher, balks. “I’m not going to act as a warden for this farce. This is too much. Too far. I’d prefer not to be sued, thank you.”
The office doors open. Trey strides into the room like a whirlwind, Atticus close on his heels.
He catches sight of me, and the concern in his face fades to relief. “Lucy.”
I reach for him, and he takes my hand, wrapping my arm around him, not caring if anyone sees us. “I was so worried,” he whispers in my ear. “I tried to reach you and warn you.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine.” I’m glad to have him here with me. We’re in this together now, and that gives me more than enough courage.
“I told you to keep him confined to Mr. Bryant’s room,” Carlisle seethes at Trey.
“You confined him?” I scoff, stepping forward. “For what, exactly?”
“He’s been contaminated,” Sullivan says with a shrug. So quick to come to her defense. “Can’t have him interacting too much with the students, now that he’s little more than a walking sex toy.”
“You know, I’ve had about enough of you running your mouth, Sullivan,” Trey warns. “Don’t you know you’re supposed to shut up when grown folks are talking?”
“And what are you going to do with him?” I demand, squeezing Atticus’s hand.
“BioNex refuses to take him back,” Carlisle replies. “We’ll have him erased and discarded, the way he should be after your abhorrent misuse of him.”
“There was no misuse,” Atticus declares. “Not that it’s any of your concern, but I consented. More than happily.”
“You sick—” Sullivan nearly lunges at him.
“Give me one good reason, Phil.” Trey keeps him in line with a hard glare. “One good reason, that’s all I need.”
“You’re not discarding him,” I reply to Carlisle. “I’m taking him with me.”
“You can’t,” Carlisle counters, staring me down with squared shoulders. “He belongs to the school.”
“He’s registered undermyname,” I argue. “And according to his records, you never converted him to a business-owned model. Therefore,legally, he is still mine.”
“Incorrect,” Carlisle huffs. “He’s a model specifically made for education. That won’t fly in a court hearing. One I doubt you have the legal fees for.”
“Don’t I?” I reply, tilting my chin up a little higher. On the outside, I’m tethered, in control. On the inside, I’m fueled by fury and a healthy dose of adrenaline. “Pictures of me in my home were just taken without my consent. I’ve been practically handedmillionsof dollars with a defamation lawsuit I’ll most certainly win. Can you say the same?”
Carlisle’s face reddens considerably. “Renee,” she barks.
“Yes,” Renee says quickly. “I’m pulling up his ownership now.”
“You’re bluffing,” Carlisle says.
“You think so?” I reply. “It seems to me that you think I’ve got everything to lose, here. You’ve already fired me. It took me a little while to accept it, but I don’t have anything to lose now.” I stare her down. “Can you say the same?”
“What are you talking about?” she demands.
“You really want to talk about private lives here? In front of everyone?” I reply levelly. “Let’s talk like adults, Judith.” She bristles at my use of her first name. “Or we can keep up the trashy reality TV vibe going on in here. If that’s really what you want.” I clench my free fist. “Because if you want spectacles? I can give you one.”
