Page 40 of Brooke's Bliss
Because Gemma had started out as a big-time lawyer in NewYork after breaking “free” from her unorthodox childhood.
They had a lot in common.“So you know Shane and Bay?”
She nodded.“They’re helpful, and my guys like them.Jesse’shelped them keep that junker truck of theirs running, and Shane and Bay helpedus re-chink the cabin last month.I know they have a somewhat difficultrelationship with your brothers over something that happened many years ago.”
“Stef pulled some shit and dragged in Shane and Bay, andnaturally everything played out exactly the way Stef wanted.”
“Yeah, that’s how things seem to go.And naturally Max can’tgive it up,” Gemma returned.“But I think he also likes having someone tocomplain about.I know Max seems like an asshole, but he’s a great guy and hedoesn’t hold a hard grudge.Which is why I’m more afraid of Rye.”
So someone else truly saw her brothers.“Rye is quieter, buthe’s the one who thinks about real revenge.Max can be brought around.Ryestill thinks I’m eight and need him to protect me.”
“And that’s a problem if you really like these guys.”
Did she?Yeah.She kind of did.“I’m going back to NewYork.”
Gemma seemed to think about that.“Okay.That’s where yourhome is now.But you know not all relationships have to last forever.You canhave a wonderful time and be loving and caring and not get married to the manor men.As long as all your cards are on the table, it’s okay.But I kind ofgot the impression there’s something not so great happening back in the city.”
How far did this go?“What have you heard?I suppose if myfake engagement is out there, then the fact that I’m no longer employed isprobably out there, too.”
“That’s how the rumor mill works,” Gemma agreed, “though Idon’t think anyone knows exactly what happened.Since you’re sitting here withme, I assume there are legal implications.What did some asshole boss do andwhy is it going to break my heart to tell you how to handle it?”
Tears pricked her eyes.“He stole my designs, but I was toldhe can legally do that because of my contract.”
“I’ll read it, but I know that some houses can be predatoryabout how they deal with creatives.So they fired you because you tookoffense?”
“They fired me because I made two formal complaints to HR.One about not getting even secondary credit for my designs and the otherbecause I was told in no uncertain terms the only way I was getting to Milanwas on my knees.”
Gemma sat back with a long sigh.“I’m going to assume he wassmart enough to not do this in front of an audience.”
“We were alone, and there weren’t any security cams.”Shesniffled because she knew what Gemma was going to say.“It’s a he said, shesaid, and HR interviewed him and decided he was credible and I was bitter overthe fall line.”
“Okay.What reason did they give for firing you?”
Shame poured through her.“I was fired for creating anuncomfortable work environment.”
“Because you accused your boss?”Gemma perked up as thoughshe’d seen the light at the end of the tunnel and there was actually somethingshe could do.
“No.They said some of my coworkers complained about how Italked about my family.”
“Your family?”
She nodded.“Specifically my brothers.”
Gemma seemed to get the gist.“You were open about yourbrothers sharing a wife.They felt like your friends, so you make a couple ofjokes about how weird your hometown is and suddenly they can use it againstyou.I would bet no one had a problem with it until after you went to HR.”
“No.I thought they were all cool with it.I mean it’s notexactly a prim and proper business.Everyone’s creative and quirky, but theyall turned on me.”
“I’m so sorry, Brooke.”
“I don’t have grounds.Do I?”
“Oh, you have grounds,” Gemma said.“So much ground, but Iwill tell you that taking this to court is going to be difficult, and moreimportant, very costly.It’s better to put together a good case for them tosettle.Basically, threaten a nasty suit and at the last minute you offer tosettle for say a million dollars.”
“I don’t think it would work.I don’t think they willsettle,” Brooke admitted.“I think they would know I’m playing chicken withthem since if I actually took it to trial, my brothers and more importantly, mysister-in-law and niece and nephews get dragged in.So does this town.But he’sgoing to blackball me.They basically said good luck finding something new.”
“I can file some paperwork and we could see how theyrespond.We can gauge where to go from there.But if it goes anywhere, you’llneed counsel in Manhattan.I don’t have those connections anymore.I’m stilllicensed to practice there, but this was not my specialty.But I can start theinitial work if you want to.”
“I can give you some money.”
