The Men Who Walked Out novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: The Ring

Brent stepped out of the elevator into the lobby as I reached the front doors.

He saw me and crossed the marble in six long strides, with his badge swinging on its lanyard.

Reception looked up.

So did the security guard, two men from accounting, and a courier holding a clipboard.

"Daph." Brent kept his voice low and reasonable. "I need the ring back."

I looked at him.

"Now?"

"Now's when you've made me look like an idiot in front of the whole company. I'd rather do it quickly."

"You texted me a deadline yesterday," I said. "It's a day later. I haven't apologised."

"I saw the all-staff." He glanced at the guard. "Your mother's right about one thing. You're being dramatic."

"She asked you to take my job, didn't she?"

His jaw tightened.

He didn't deny it.

"She called me up to the fifth floor ten minutes ago," he said.

"Director of product and sales, combined. It reports to Gordon, and Gordon isn't the enemy, Daph."

"You said yes."

"I said I'd think about it."

"You said yes in the elevator."

He looked at the courier and the courier looked at his clipboard.

"Somebody has to stay inside this company when it gets stupid," Brent said.

"I'm not wrecking my life over your father's midlife crisis."

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