My phone buzzed. A text from Neal:
"Ivy, don't make a scene. Tania landed a huge deal. The company needs to keep talent like her."
"The bonus was her idea. Just let it go this once—I'll make it up to you privately."
Her idea?
I stared at those words, and something inside me went cold.
So this twenty-five-dollar humiliation was Tania's doing all along.
Fine. If that's how it was going to be, why should I protect his dignity?
"Neal." My voice cut through the noise. "Are you really going to stand there and claim Tania closed that ten-million-dollar deal?"
The room went silent. Every eye turned to me.
Neal's face darkened. "Ivy, that's enough!"
"No, it isn't."
My hand trembled around the microphone, but my voice was steady.
"That ten-million-dollar contract? I pulled three all-nighters drafting the proposal. I made eight trips to the client's office. I spent an entire month in negotiations before they finally signed.
"Tania's contribution? She stamped the paperwork at the end.
"And you're calling that a 'tremendous contribution'?"
I let out a cold laugh, not bothering to hide my contempt.