Page 78 of The Bad Girl
I turn the page and see a payout amount of five-hundred-thousand-dollars. I look to Jenna’s smiling face, then back at the document in total disbelief.
“Of course, we are going to have to sit you down with our senior PR rep to talk about everything. They can help you set up interviews and avoid any legal issues.”
“Legal issues?”
Jenna chuckles, waving her hand at me like she’d just told a joke. “You know, anything that could offend any of the upstanding people aboard the boat and get you in trouble for slander.”
“What? I’m not going to slander anyone!”
“If you could just sign the document at the back of the paperwork, we’ll take it over to legal, and then we can get you moved into your high-rise and get that check deposited into your bank account asap! Then, we can sit you down with PR and strategize.”
I run my fingers through my hair, unsure of how I should proceed. “I think I’m going to have to talk with Maxwell about this,” I finally say.
“Oh, that won’t be necessary! Mr. Stryder is very busy at this time, and I don’t see his schedule opening up any time soon.”
“Well, I work as his assistant. I manage his schedule.”
She tilts her head to the side, emitting an, “Ummm…”
“Wait, are you saying I don’t have a job?”
Jenna moves from her chair to the couch, sitting right next to me. “Ms. Winters, you have nothing to worry about. You will be taken care of, and when you eventually decide you’d like to go back to work, we’ll have a team of professionals dedicated to getting you a prime position!”
“Within InStryde?”
Her head tilts again. “Well—”
“So, let me get this straight: Maxwell and InStryde are paying me to say all the right things and go away.”
“I wouldn’t—”
“Look, Jenna—I’m not an idiot. We both know what’s going on. Your biggest mistake was coming here yourself. Maxwell should have been the one to deliver this package.” I throw the leather portfolio on her lap.
“He’s very bu—”
“Oh, shove it. I’m staying right here, and you can tell Maxwell I’ll be showing up at seven o’clock sharp on Monday.”
“I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but your keycard has already been deactivated.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nadine, I’m going to level with you. People are gonna be coming for you. In droves. Waiting outside your apartment building. They’ll be nice, at first, buy you a coffee even. But if you don’t give them what they want, they’ll start to get…persuasive. Your every move will be scrutinized. Your every decision. Your words will get twisted, and eventually, rumors will start up. You’ll apply for jobs, and employees won’t want to deal with the baggage. The business world doesn’t want to hire a train wreck.”
The logic checks out. There is no way I can just waltz back into my life like nothing happened. The professional persona I’ve worked so hard to develop could be taken from me because I was held hostage aboard some rich asshole’s boat.
“Do you understand what I’m getting at?” Jenna says, her eyes wide with concern. “I’m not threatening you. I’m on your team. Your side. I’m here to assist. With InStryde’s help, you can navigate the storm that’s about to hit and come out a winner. You just have to let us help you.”
“Uh-huh…”
“Look, you can counter this package. You can say, ‘Fuck it! I want a million,’ and they’ll probably give it. That’s not all, you’re free to do interviews. It’s possible you’ll be offered upward six-figures, maybe even seven for an exclusive sit down. But, InStryde can’t be caught off guard, and if I may be so bold, some of the details regarding your, how do I say this, relationship with Mr. Stryder are best kept,” she places a hand on my shoulder, “to yourself.”
I feel the color drain from my face. “You know?”
“Honey, it’s my job to know. You are a business professional, and Maxwell wants to protect you. I want to protect you. If it’s found out you were banging the boss, especially one like Maxwell Stryder, well, you’ll be unhirable.”
She’s right. If word gets out that I’ve fucked my boss, no one’s going to want to touch me.
“Let us help you,” Jenna presses.
“I want to get something straight. You’re full of shit. You don’t want to help me. You want to help yourself.”
“You’re a smart woman, Nadine. So am I, and it’s within my best interest to help you. If I were you, I’d demand that million, lay low for a month or two, then go on record. InStryde can help you get your pick of outlets and negotiate the best fee for your sit-down.”
“You can take me to my new apartment, but I’m not signing anything. Not yet.”
“Smart woman.”
