The phone rang three times before a deep, raspy voice answered.
"Julian. What's up? You calling about the trade-in units from the downtown account?"
"No, Dominic," Julian spat, leaning against his car, his voice trembling with anger. "I just got pushed out of Apex Motors."
A brief pause echoed over the line, followed by a dry chuckle. "Pushed out? You? Did Sterling finally catch you skimming the manager's overrides?"
"Shut up!" Julian barked, looking around to ensure no security guards were nearby. "It was a setup. A junior girl on the floor—Emily Watson—snuck behind my back and grabbed a massive corporate fleet order. Two-point-three million dollars. Fifteen flagship V8 units for Vance Heavy Logistics."
Dominic let out a low whistle over the speaker. "Vance Logistics? That's Arthur Vance's firm. That's a golden account, Julian. How the hell did a junior grab that?"
"It doesn’t matter how!" Julian snapped, his eyes flashing with malice. "The point is, the delivery is scheduled for fourteen days from now. The inventory allocation is being routed through the central regional depot in Eastport."
"What are you thinking, Julian?" Dominic asked, his tone growing cautious.
"I know the depot manager in Eastport," Julian whispered conspiratorially into the receiver. "He owes me a massive favor from the luxury crossover clearance last year. I want you to call him. Put a hold on those fifteen Shadow Black units. Claim a compliance audit or a transport delay—anything to stall the shipment."
"If the delivery misses the fourteen-day window..." Dominic mused.
"If the delivery misses the deadline, the penalty clause kicks in!" Julian grinned wickedly, a dark satisfaction washing over him. "Vance Logistics will cancel the contract due to breach of schedule. Sterling will lose the account, Emily will look like an incompetent child who couldn't handle an enterprise deal, and Sterling will have to realize that getting rid of me was the biggest mistake of his life!"
"It's risky, Julian," Dominic warned. "If Sterling finds out—"
"He won't find out!" Julian yelled softly. "Just make the call to Eastport! I'll pay you ten grand out of my personal account the moment that contract collapses!"
"Ten grand cash?" Dominic paused, weighing the greed against the risk. "Fine. I'll talk to the depot supervisor. We'll tie up those fifteen sedans in paperwork until your girl misses her window."
Julian hung up the phone, a twisted, vengeful smirk spreading across his face. He got into his car, revved the engine loudly, and sped away from Apex Motors, convinced he had just planted the fuse that would destroy Emily's newfound triumph.
Chapter 15: The New Standard
Back upstairs in the VIP suite, oblivious to Julian's dark plotting in the parking lot, Emily and Arthur were completing the final signatures on the transaction paperwork.
Emily printed out the complete certified package, placing the original documents inside an elegant leather folio bearing the gold emblem of Apex Motors. She handed the folio across the table to Arthur with a warm, professional smile.
"Everything is finalized, Mr. Vance," Emily said smoothly. "Your initial deposit of five hundred thousand dollars has been cleared through our primary escrow account. The fifteen units have been officially locked in our regional tracking system, and delivery is scheduled directly to your corporate headquarters on the morning of the fourteenth."
Arthur took the folio, sliding it neatly into his scuffed brown leather briefcase. He stood up from his chair, pulling his faded canvas coat tight around his shoulders.
"Miss Watson," Arthur said, reaching out his hand. "I have dealt with corporate executives, international bankers, and seasoned brokers for over forty years. You possess something far more valuable than aggressive sales techniques: you possess genuine integrity and respect for human dignity. Never let this industry take that away from you."
Emily shook his hand firmly, feeling a deep sense of pride. "I won't, Mr. Vance. Thank you for putting your trust in me."
Marcus Sterling stepped forward, walking Arthur to the glass elevator. "Thank you again, Arthur. I will personally monitor the delivery logistics to ensure your fleet arrives in absolute perfection."
"See that you do, Marcus," Arthur smiled, stepping into the glass elevator cab. "And make sure you listen to your new manager."
The elevator doors closed smoothly, taking the billionaire down to his waiting transport.