Chapter 19: Losing His Mind
Jared refused to leave, escalating Zayne's anger. "Jared, if you refuse to leave, don't blame me for what happens!"
"If you've got the guts, be my guest," Jared scoffed.
This pushed Zayne over the edge. He turned to his sales staff. "Get him out of here! He's a scoundrel!"
The staff advanced on Jared, but Maria shouted, "Stop! Stop it!" Hilda also intervened.
Zayne scowled. "Maria, what are you doing?"
"Zayne, let me try to persuade him. If Ms. Sullivan sees us using force, we're all in trouble."
Annoyed, Zayne knew she was right. A fight would be disastrous. He reluctantly nodded. "Fine, hurry up. Otherwise, I'll throw him out the window!"
Maria, exasperated, pleaded with Jared. "Jared, leave. Save yourself the embarrassment. If Ms. Sullivan sees you, security will remove you."
"No, she won't," Jared insisted.
"You've met Ms. Sullivan," Maria retorted. "Don't provoke her. This is for your own good!"
Hilda added, "Jared, just leave. There's no point."
To their surprise, Jared smiled. "If I leave, no one will chair this meeting. Is that what you want?"
Lydia, disgusted, yelled, "You're shameless! Who do you think you are? We can hold this meeting without you!"
The others glared at Jared, shocked by his audacity. Zayne snapped, "Jared, do you have no shame? I've never seen such bald-faced lies!"
Maria snapped, "Jared, are you leaving or not?"
Hilda tugged at his sleeve. "Come on, Jared. Let's go."
The conference room door opened, and Josephine entered with senior executives. Everyone recoiled in shock. Zayne's face drained as he saw Jared still at the head table.
Josephine asked, "What's all the commotion?" She'd heard the noise outside.
Zayne's face fell. Oh, shit! he thought. How do I explain this? And he's from my department!
When no one answered, Eliza looked at Zayne. "Mr. Carlson, care to explain?"
Zayne lied, "Ms. Sullivan, someone from sales has lost his mind and is causing a disturbance. I'm sending him to the hospital."
Josephine frowned. "Lost his mind? Who?"