"I hired you because I saw potential in you. I thought you were willing to endure hardship to achieve greatness. Do you think the outside world will give you the time to find your potential?"
That was what Blake had said.
Even though I had already built a successful account by then, his words had worked. I stayed.
I became cheap labor.
I became their office nanny.
The next morning, I walked into Blake Rowe's office and placed a photocopy of the termination notice on his desk.
"Mr. Rowe, this is a copy of my termination. Joanna didn't have time to print a formal copy for you yesterday, so I brought it myself."
Blake didn't even glance at it. He snatched the paper and tore it into shreds, his expression indifferent.
"Rose, didn't I tell you? Joanna wasn't being serious. The company has always viewed you as a talent to be cultivated. Why would we ever fire you?"
I reached into my bag and pulled out another photocopy. My voice remained calm.
"Mr. Rowe, I am serious. If you tear this one up, I have ten more."
Blake's face darkened. Beside him, Joanna rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with provocation.
"Rose Floyd, drop the act."