You Fired a Tech Genius novel · Chapter 8 of 32

Chapter 8: The Steakhouse

Zoe told me to go.

"He wants something," she said, tying my collar straight with two quick fingers. "Find out what he's afraid of."

"What if he's not afraid of anything?"

"Everyone who fires a man on stage is afraid of something."

The steakhouse was in River North, all dark wood and white tablecloths and waiters who whispered.

Braxton had reserved a corner booth, and he was already in it when I arrived.

He had a glass of red wine at his elbow and a menu he hadn't opened.

"Axel," he said, standing, as if we were old friends. "I took the liberty of ordering for us."

"I'll have a cheeseburger."

"They don't do cheeseburgers."

"Then I'll have bread," I said, and sat down.

The waiter looked at me, looked at Braxton, and went away very fast.

Braxton laughed, too loudly.

"You were always funny," he said. "My father says you're the only one who ever made him laugh at a board meeting."

"Your father's tired, Braxton."

"My father's in a cardigan," he said, and the laugh went out of his voice. "Let's talk about the invitation."

He slid a leather folder across the tablecloth.

"The Summit, October twenty-second. We take the stage together. I say a few kind words."

"You say you left on good terms, and that Ledgerline 5 has your blessing."

I opened the folder.

Inside was a one-page note on Hallett letterhead.

It said Axel Torvik resigned voluntarily and that Ledgerline 5 was designed and built by Braxton Hallett and his team.

At the bottom was a line for my signature, and under it a number.

"Three million dollars," Braxton said. "Cash, at signing. And the chief technology officer's chair, at the salary you'd expect. You'd report to me."

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