CHAPTER 2: THE MORNING EVERYTHING COLLAPSED
Daniel woke to twenty-three missed calls.
The first came from the bank.
"Mr. Carter, your mortgage payment has failed."
The second came from the dealership.
"Your vehicle loan is now past due."
The third came from his mother's medical clinic.
"Your insurance has been terminated."
Daniel laughed.
"Mariana's trying to scare me."
Eleanor nodded.
"Ignore her."
"She'll crawl back."
Then his office called.
"Daniel... where's Mariana?"
He frowned.
"At home."
Silence.
"The Henderson account just canceled."
"So did Parker Logistics."
"And Westbrook Manufacturing."
Daniel sat upright.
"What?"
"They all said the same thing."
"If Mariana isn't handling their accounts..."
"...they're leaving."
Daniel drove straight to the office.
The reception desk was packed with angry clients.
His assistant pulled him aside.
"They're asking for Mariana."
"I'm the director."
She looked uncomfortable.
"They don't know you."
His stomach tightened.
The company lawyer entered carrying a thick binder.
"We've reviewed the partnership documents."
Daniel forced a smile.
"Good."
The lawyer didn't smile back.
"There's a problem."
"What problem?"
"The company isn't yours."
Silence.
"It never was."
Daniel blinked.
"What are you talking about?"
The lawyer opened the agreement.
"Your father invested the startup money."
"But Mariana contributed the client portfolio."
"According to the ownership agreement..."
"She owns sixty-five percent."
Daniel's face turned white.
The lawyer quietly added,
"She also has the legal right to remove you."
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At that exact moment, Daniel received a text.
I've resigned. Effective immediately.
