“But you need to know, they’re already mounting a response.”
Sasha pulled out her phone, showing them a screen full of notifications.
“It’s starting. Private industry forums, business gossip sites.”
Alicia leaned in to read, her expression unchanging as she scrolled through comments questioning her judgment, her temperament, her competence. Words like emotional and unstable appeared repeatedly.
“Classic playbook,” Thomas said, his voice hard. “When they can’t attack the decision, they attack the decision-maker.”
“Make it about your personality rather than their behavior.”
A waiter appeared with their meals, salmon for Alicia, pasta for Sasha, steak for Thomas. But the food went largely untouched as they continued strategizing.
“We need to get ahead of this,” Sasha said, still monitoring her phone. “The narrative is spreading fast in certain circles.”
Thomas nodded.
“I’ve already drafted statements for the major financial papers. We stick to the facts. They breached, you terminated. Clean, professional, by the book.”
“They’ll try to paint me as angry, irrational,” Alicia said, her voice steady. “A Black woman who couldn’t handle the pressure and had an emotional outburst.”
“Let them try,” Thomas replied, stabbing at his steak. “We have witnesses.”
“That young associate who came running up about the Asian markets, he’s already reached out. Says he has recordings of planning meetings where they specifically discussed how to put you in your place.”
Sasha’s eyes widened.
“They recorded themselves planning this?”
“Arrogance makes people careless,” Alicia said, finally taking a bite of her salmon. “They never thought they’d face consequences.”
Thomas pulled out another document.
“We need to discuss immediate protective measures. Asset security, data backups, employee communications.”
They spent the next hour going through contingency plans, their food growing cold as they worked. Sasha took detailed notes while Thomas outlined potential legal challenges, and Alicia made decisive calls on each point.
“One more thing,” Thomas said as they were finishing. “The termination hits their stock hard tomorrow. They’ll be desperate.”
“Expect personal attacks, planted stories, maybe even threats.”
Alicia’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it, then turned it to show the others.
On the screen was a private industry forum post, already gaining traction.
“Sources close to Rhodes reveal pattern of erratic behavior. Questions raised about stability and judgment.”
“And so it begins,” Thomas said grimly.
“Let them come,” Alicia replied, her voice calm but filled with determination. “I didn’t get where I am by backing down from bullies.”
Sasha watched her mentor, amazed as always by her composure. Where others might show anger or fear, Alicia displayed only quiet resolve.
The waiter appeared with the check, which Thomas immediately grabbed.
“My turn,” he insisted. “Consider it an investment in what promises to be a very interesting case.”
As they stood to leave, Alicia’s phone buzzed again. More notifications, more forums, more concerned sources questioning her mental state and business acumen.
The smear campaign was gathering momentum.
“Car’s waiting outside,” Sasha said, checking her own phone. “I’ve got alerts set up for any mention of your name or the company.”
“We’ll know everything they’re saying, where they’re saying it.”