Chapter 38 Locked in a Cage

I had barely taken two steps when Dominic Hawthorne's voice came from behind. "There's no need." Then, to the project manager: "Replace this design firm." "On what grounds?" I hadn't expected him to say that. I didn't know what had changed his mind, but I was certain it had something to do with me. He hated me—so he was lashing out at the project. Dominic stood, reached into the inner pocket of his suit, and pulled out a cigarette case. He took out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply before saying, "A company that doesn't screen employees for criminal records before hiring has no claim to professionalism." "I didn't hide anything!" Just as I feared—he was coming for me. "Then they're even more unprofessional. Hiring a woman who caused grievous harm, killed another woman's unborn child, and served prison time…" Before he finished, gasps spread through the room. Hearing what I was, the manager said at once, "President Hawthorne, I'll contact Prosperity Design immediately." Prosperity