“Oh, come on! Anyone could have called in that order. Adeline wouldn’t do this. She’s the one who canceled this order to begin with.” Jordan looks as shocked as me, and he’s holding out the purchase order in front of him, dismissing its authenticity as he refuses to pay it any more attention. But Vera takes the opportunity to snatch it from his hands, eyeing it speculatively. Dr. Lynch has yet to speak and is simply watching the exchange, refusing to look at me.
It is Vera who speaks next, and her words are aimed squarely at me. “This PO was initiated on the afternoon of our golf outing, and since you were the only one in the building that afternoon, I’m guessing there’s little question who placed this order.” Her tone is smug, and as my eyes flash to Jordan’s in shock, his snap to mine as well. The immediate memory of our afternoon together sends a flush of warmth through my body that radiates to my cheeks as his eyes share a sudden softness with mine. But his flutter closed a moment later in sudden fury as he shakes his head. The look of disgust that passes over his face needs no explanation. He’s sharing the same realization that is sinking into my understanding. I’m being framed.
“How very fucking convenient, Vera!” Jordan’s words are seething with fury and hatred as she returns his glare. “And I’m sure you had nothing to do with this order being changed, huh?” His suspicion narrows his eyes as he regards her harshly. Were they alone, I’m not at all sure she would be safe.
With a look of well-played ignorance on her face, she responds. “I was at the golf outing, Jordan, just like you. I couldn’t possibly have changed this order, and I don’t appreciate…”
“The order came in by phone! You had just as much opportunity to do that from the golf course as you would have from the office, though I’m betting you were counting on Adeline being the only one in the office as a good selling point for your little scheme—certainly one way to point the finger. We’re all just so shocked you put the dates together so quickly, and it’s not just a little convenient!” His eyes look to mine as I continue to stare into space, shocked. My life is being destroyed in front of me, and I’m saying nothing. My mind is registering every last word being spoken, but I’m stunned, and it hasn’t escaped my mind the fact Jordan spent the afternoon in question with me could well prove to be a liability to him just as much as the false tale being woven right now is to me.
As I contemplate how I should respond, Dr. Lynch speaks for the first time, and as he does my blood runs cold, and whatever hope I was clinging to that I could somehow fix this situation dissipates. “Whether you did or did not change the order is irrelevant at this point. I just received a call this morning from Mark Lear at Trigg Enterprises. Not only did he fill me in on the order change debacle, he filled me in on some other … events of late.” His words linger like a threat ready to be unleashed, and as my breath leaves my lungs in an audible rush, my eyes quickly find Jordan’s just to find his are closed and his face is resigned. When I look to Foster, he is looking back and forth from Jordan to me in utter confusion. The threat is being unleashed, and I’m finished, and for that matter, so is Jordan.
“What are you talking about? What else did she screw up?” It’s Vera, and from the sounds of it she’s as clueless as Foster.
“Mark brought it to my attention the two of you were involved in an … inappropriate and less-than-professional relationship. In fact, he says he was witness to it on one occasion.” And then to me, Dr. Lynch continues. “I’m disappointed in you, Adeline. I wouldn’t have thought you’d be so careless with your education and your future. In light of the order being changed negligently and the evidence pointing to you, effectively costing Foster’s tens of thousands of dollars I might add, and the inappropriate contact you have had with a senior level principal, I have no choice but to remove you from your internship. You will receive no credit for your time here, and you won’t be able to graduate at this point.
A sob passes my lips in pain and devastation, but Jordan is quick to come to my defense, and in a tone that would terrify me if it were directed at me, he unleashes his fury. “This is not her fault! She did not change that fucking order, and you damn well know it. Vera has been vying to destroy her out of some pathetic jealousy since the day Adeline arrived. She’s tormented her and degraded her for her own personal satisfaction, and Adeline has suffered enough because of that bitch!” He’s yelling. Foster is watching him calmly, but Dr. Lynch is sitting stiffly with his body shifted away from Jordan’s.
Vera, on the other hand, is acting aghast at the comments. “How dare you accuse me…?”
“Shut! The! Fuck! Up! You! Stupid! Bitch!”
“Vera, you will let me handle this,” Foster interjects before Jordan can become unglued further.
With Vera being managed by Foster, Jordan turns to me, and his face falls as he takes in my tears that have now slipped down my cheeks. His pain at the sight of me has his jaw clenching and his teeth grinding.
Jordan spins to Dr. Lynch, pinning him to his chair with his desperate expression. “Adeline did not change that order. She was not alone in the office that afternoon. I was with her the whole time, and I am telling you she didn’t do this.” Dr. Lynch regards him coolly. I’ve always respected Dr. Lynch, but he’s not showing me the least bit of compassion at the moment, and I resent the hell out of him for it.
But it’s Foster who speaks next. “You weren’t at the golf outing?” His eyes are suspicious as they regard Jordan, and Jordan is hesitant as he shakes his head. With an audible sigh, his fingers laced behind his head and leaning back in his seat, Foster continues. “What were you doing here?” Jordan says nothing but holds his gaze. Foster thinks, considers, contemplates, and takes a damn long time doing it before speaking again. “Dr. Lynch, I’d like some time to speak with Jordan and Adeline. I would caution you not to make a quick decision on this until you’ve had a chance to really think about what you’re doing.”
Dr. Lynch doesn’t appreciate Foster’s comments as he stands and turns to leave, and pausing at the door, he turns back and holds my gaze firmly. “I have no doubt the two of you have developed a relationship of some sort. He’s ready to kill the next person who insults you, and whether either of you are willing to say it out loud, it’s obvious. It was unprofessional and inappropriate of you to allow this to happen, and I’m well within my rights to remove you from this position.” He turns without another look and leaves the room.
“So, what do I need to know?” Foster is studying Jordan as I sit numbly by his side. I want to touch him; I want him to touch me.
Rather than compassion and touch, I get harsh words not meant to be cruel but painful regardless. “I don’t want to discuss this with Adeline here, and I want Vera gone as well.”
My gaze snaps to his as shock once more takes over my demeanor. Vera lets out a huff of irritated breath, but neither Jordan nor I pay her any mind. His eyes are focused on me as I’m shaking my head, refusing to leave. But as he regards me, he takes my hand. His touch is gentle, and while his words have upset me, his hand reassures me. “I’m so sorry, Addy. You don’t deserve any of this.” At the touch of his hand on mine, I catch the somewhat confused and intrigued look that passes Foster’s face, and another derisive snort from Vera interrupts the room. But Jordan isn’t done shocking the hell out of the poor man, and as I try my damndest to stay calm, he leans to my mouth, shocking me as well. He kisses me. It’s short, sweet, and not the least bit overt or sexual. Now the look of intrigue and confusion on Foster’s face turns to absolute shock as he shakes his head in resignation. And naturally, Vera weighs in with her own obnoxious and over-loud gasp. Jordan says nothing to me for many long moments. My heart is thudding in my chest, and I try desperately to make sense of his actions. “Please. I have to talk to Foster.”