"Of course."
I slide a folder across the table. It has a press release, along with the pictures and records Tolik gave us.
He opens the folder, and his face drains. He looks at me. "What is this?"
"Your employee almost killed this woman. Not once but twice. Is this the type of person you employ at this firm?"
He shakes his head. "No, sir."
"I also believe that you have accounts at your firm worth several billion dollars of friends of ours. Here are their names." I slide another folder of the people who know our family and have their money here.
The room is so silent, you could hear a pin drop. Boris cracks his knuckles, and the weasel next to Robert squirms.
"Here's what is going to happen. You will fire this employee in the next hour. There is no severance and no recommendation. But before you do, he will restore the money he stole, which is invested in this firm, back to this woman."
"What money?"
I point to the only woman in the room, sitting several seats away. She is taking notes on her laptop. "Please pull up his personal accounts. I believe if you audit them, you will find it came from a joint checking account. This money was from this woman's paycheck. I'm assuming you will not find her name on the account, either."
"This is a big accusation," Robert says.
I nod. "Yes. And I'm sure the media outlet will love this part of the story. A beautiful, hardworking designer not only gets beaten but stolen from by an advisor in your firm. Imagine the PR nightmare you will have."
"There are laws we have to follow."
"Yes. And laws that can also hold you accountable for this wrongdoing. Don't you have a fiduciary duty to monitor the assets in your firm?" I raise my eyebrows at him.
He swallows hard. "We will look into this."
"Today. The assets all get transferred in her name today. The entire account."
"Some of it could be his money. He could sue us as well."
"Consider it interest. And I don't care if he sues you. You failed to do your due diligence and manage your employee."
I rise, and Boris follows. I slap a business card on the table. "You have until five o'clock to contact this firm to transfer her assets. In the next sixty minutes, he gets terminated as stipulated, or these families pull their money. We also send this press release to all the news outlets. Any questions?"
Wide eyes stare back at us. "Great. It was nice meeting you. Have a nice day."
Boris holds up his cup. "Thanks for the latte."
We leave the conference room. Boris grabs Robin's card off her desk and winks at her on the way out. As soon as the elevator door shuts, I slap his head.
"What the fuck is that for?" he growls.
"You aren't here to get some ass."
"You're the one in the relationship, not me. And until tomorrow, I'm free. So sit in the hotel if you want, but I'm hitting the town. And that redhead looked like the perfect woman to do it with."
I jab him in the chest. "You better be ready at seven tomorrow. Workout, breakfast, then we finish this and get back to Chicago. I don't need you with a hangover or off your game."
"Have you ever known me to not deliver?"
"No. But this is too important to screw up."
"Don't worry. I know my role."
I shouldn't worry. Boris has never let me down. But today was only the beginning of Mitch discovering my wrath. He's going to wallow in self-pity all night, but tomorrow he's going to learn how I really handle my business.