"The company needs you. I will never let you suffer this kind of treatment!"
I watched the whole performance unfold and found it so absurd I almost laughed.
"Mr. Dickerson." Douglas's voice cracked. "I know that from my very first day at the company, you've never liked me."
"But I truly want us to get along. If you'd just give me a chance, I promise I'll work twice as hard. I won't let you down..."
His acting was getting better by the day.
I let out a cold laugh.
When I still refused to budge, Cheryl was shaking with fury. "Drew, Douglas has already bent over backward for you. You still won't let him be?"
"Do you want to push him to his breaking point before you're satisfied?"
"You've gone too far! In what way is Douglas not your equal?"
"He works harder than you. He's more considerate than you. He cares more about this company than you ever have!"
"And you, as one of the company's founders, what do you do besides throw your weight around and bully him?"
I had no interest in continuing this circus. I turned and walked away.
But Douglas suddenly rushed forward and grabbed my wrist.
"Mr. Dickerson, please don't go! The Zenith Group deal can't happen without you!"