A Two Hundred Million Dollar Mistake

At 2:00 PM, my stepmother texted me asking for my laptop password.

I was in a meeting and didnt reply.

At 3:00 PM, another message popped up: I found someone to factory reset it since you didn't answer. Everythings gone now, just so you know.

I dropped my phone, grabbed my keys, and blew through three red lights to get home.

When I burst into the living room, my laptop was sitting on the coffee table. The screen was glowing. I lunged for it, my fingers trembling as I clicked through the folders.

Empty. Every single one of them.

A white-hot rage flared in my chest. This is my computer! Who gave you the right to wipe it?

Pamela was lounging on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. She didnt even bother to look up. I needed to use it for something. You didnt answer, so I had it cleared. Its not a big deal.

Not a big deal? Do you have any idea what was on here? All the photos of my mother, and

Slap!

The force of the blow jerked my head to the side. My vision blurred for a second.

My father stood over me, his eyes wide with fury. Your mother has been dead for twenty years! Why do you keep bringing her up to spite Pamela? Show some respect and stop being so dramatic!

I held my burning cheek, staring at them. Pamela looked bored; my father looked disgusted.

Then, I started to laugh. It was a cold, jagged sound.

This laptop didnt just hold the only digital copies of my mothers life. It held the entire architecture for my fathers latest venture.

A two-hundred-million-dollar acquisition. No backups.

I turned to leave.

Stay right there, my fathers voice barked from behind me. I didn't stop. I said get back here! What is wrong with your attitude?

I halted, taking a slow, shaky breath.

He pointed a finger at Pamela. Your mother just wanted to borrow your laptop. Who do you think youre looking down on?

Pamela leaned back into the cushions, her eyes suddenly brimming with well-practiced tears. Her voice went soft and fragile. Robert, forget it. Its my fault. I just wanted to handle a few files, and I got impatient when she didn't reply... I shouldn't have had it wiped.

She let a single tear fall.

My fathers face hardened. He marched over and stood inches from me. Your mother is talking to you. Are you deaf?

She isnt my mother, I said, my voice steady.

Slap!

The second one hit the same cheek. I let my head hang.

Listen to me, he hissed, his finger nearly touching my nose. Pamela didn't do anything wrong. You did. Now, apologize to her. If you don't, don't bother coming back to this house ever again.

I looked up at him.

I had called this man "Dad" for twenty-seven years. When my mother died when I was five, I knelt at her casket and cried until I was sick. Less than three months later, he brought this woman home. She was already pregnant with Tyler.

As soon as my mother was gone, my grandfatherovercome with grieffollowed her six months later. My father wasted no time. He rebranded the Miller Group into Wainwright & Co.

The man who had married into the family, who had started with nothing but my mother's grace, had suddenly become the king of the castle.

For twenty-seven years, I asked for nothing.

When I graduated, he told me to start at the bottom. I did.

Tyler was made Executive Vice President immediately. I said nothing.

Pamela squeezed me out of every family event, every holiday. I endured it.

I lived in a cramped apartment across town just to breathe clean air. But the things on that laptop...

Dad, I said, looking him in the eye. My mother might be dead, but she was the woman who built you. She gave you everything. All I had left of her were those photos. Does that mean nothing to you?

He hesitated for a fraction of a second.

Pamela chimed in from the sofa. Theyre just pictures, honey. They cant be that important.

Everything is gone, I said to her. Did you even think to ask before you killed the drive?

Pamela looked away, playing the victim again.

My fathers face went through a range of emotions before settling back on anger. Its a few photos! Get over yourself and apologize!

I smiled at him, savoring the words I was about to say.

Dad, that laptop also held every contract for the acquisition. The two-hundred-million-dollar deal? It was all in there.

He froze. Then, he let out a mocking laugh.

The contracts were on your laptop? You think Im an idiot? He pointed to a framed photo of the three of themhim, Pamela, and Tyler. I gave that project to Tyler. Hes the lead. He has the contracts. Why are you lying?

Pamela sniffled. Robert, dont listen to her...

Why dont you call him and ask if he has them? I challenged.

Fine! Ill show you just how pathetic your lies are. My father pulled out his phone and dialed Tyler.

Twice, it went to voicemail.

Hes probably busy with the closing, Pamela whispered.

Just then, the front door swung open. Tyler walked in, swinging his Porsche keys, looking annoyed. Dad, why have you been blowing up my phone? I just parked.

Tyler stopped short when he saw me standing in the middle of the room.

Whats going on?

My father pointed at him. The contracts for the deal. You have them, right?

Tyler blinked, then grinned. The contracts? Yeah, of course. Theyre under control.

My fathers shoulders relaxed, and the look he gave me turned icy. Tyler walked over and clapped our father on the back.

Dont worry about it, Dad. I hired the best in the business to draft the final terms. Youve heard of Vesper, right? Shes a legend in corporate law. The contracts are perfect. We sign tomorrow.

Tyler, I said, my voice cutting through his bravado. I am Vesper.

The room went silent.

The contracts you begged me to help you with? Every detail, every core data point, every legal safeguardthey were on my laptop. The laptop your mother just had wiped.

Silence stretched for two long seconds. Then Tyler burst into a loud, mocking laugh.

Sis, are you feeling okay? He tapped his temple. Vesper is based in London and New York. Everyone in the industry knows that. You think because you take a few business trips to the states you can just claim her identity? Vesper is a world-class consultant. Youre a mid-level manager at a firm your dad owns. Thats a hell of a hallucination.

Pamela stopped dabbing her eyes and let a smirk slip. Oh, Cassie. I know youre jealous of Tyler, but this is sad. Youre making things up just to tear your brother down.

My father stepped toward me, his face darkening.

Enough, he growled. First you blame Pamela for deleting 'photos,' then you claim you have the contracts, and now youre claiming to be some international expert. What is your endgame here?

I looked at them. It was always like this.

I was eight when Pamela smashed my mothers heirloom vase right in front of me. When I told my father, she told him Id done it myself to frame her. He didnt ask a single question; he whipped me with his belt until I couldn't stand.

Pamela had stood by, "pleading" for him to stop because I was "just a child," while her eyes danced with triumph. My father had spent the rest of the night comforting her, telling me, "Don't you ever upset your mother again."

Tyler sighed, putting on a show of sibling concern. Cassie, I know you hate us. But do you realize the state the company is in? If this deal falls through, were done. Can you stop the drama for one night?

Pamela started crying again. Robert, Ive been in this family for twenty years and she still treats us like enemies...

My fathers patience snapped.

Last chance, he said, his finger back in my face. Apologize.

I said nothing.

Fine! He turned to Tyler. Call this expert. Right now. Put her on speaker. Lets hear what 'Vesper' has to say about being in this room.

Tyler pulled out his phone, found the number, and hit speaker.

Hello, this is Vespers office, a womans voice answered.

Tyler shot me a smug look. Hi, Im looking for Vesper. I wanted to check in on the status of the Wainwright contracts.

Vesper is currently in meetings, the assistant said. But I can confirm the contracts are finalized and ready for tomorrows signing.

The living room went quiet.

However, the assistant continued, Vesper actually traveled back to the States yesterday. She told me she would email the final execution copies to you by tonight.

Ill try to reach her and have her call you. Goodbye.

The line went dead.

Tyler gripped his phone, his head turning slowly toward me.

Pamela was the first to break the silence. Ha! She pointed a manicured nail at me. Robert, did you hear that? Shes a liar! Shes not Vesper. Shes just trying to sabotage Tylers big moment!

My fathers expression shifted from confusion to pure, unadulterated rage.

Tyler stepped forward, looming over me. Cassie, you were so sure of yourself. You knew about the project details... wait. Did you sneak into my office? Did you read my files on my computer?

The more he talked, the more he convinced himself. That has to be it! I didn't tell anyone the specifics, but you knew them! You were trying to steal corporate secrets, werent you?

Pamela shrieked, Robert! She was going to steal the company and sell it out from under us!

It was a well-rehearsed play. I felt nothing but a weary sense of the absurd.

My fathers face turned a violent shade of purple. You ungrateful brat!

He kicked me squarely in the stomach.

I collapsed, my back hitting the sharp edge of the coffee table. The world went black for a second.

You want to steal from me?

Another kick caught me in the ribs. I curled into a ball, shielding my head. He didn't stop. He kicked my back, my legs, my arms.

Tyler watched from the sidelines, a faint smile on his lips. Pamela dabs her eyes, whispering, Robert, stop... shes learned her lesson... even if she is a thief...

Her eyes were bright with joy.

My father finally stopped, panting, his chest heaving.

Youre pathetic! he spat. Youre a womanwhat do you want? To inherit the company? Youre not fit for it! Ive raised you for twenty-seven years, and this is how you repay me?

I tasted copper in my mouth. I looked up at him, wiping the blood from my lip. Dad, I said, my voice eerily calm. Is this even your company to give?

This company belonged to the Millers. It was my mothers and my grandfathers. You were just the man who married in.

His face contorted. He grabbed a heavy ceramic vase from the table and hurled it at me. I couldn't move fast enough. It shattered against the wall behind me, a shard slicing across my cheek.

The company is Wainwright now! he roared. I changed the name! Your mother is dead, your grandfather is dead, and this company belongs to the Wainwright men!

I lay on the floor, the metallic scent of blood filling my nose. I saw Pamela looking down at me from her height on the sofa.

Cassie, I know you hate me. But stealing? If word gets out, youll never work in this town again. She sighed and stood up. Robert, lock her away. She needs to think about what shes done.

One last warning, I croaked. If you want to save this deal, if you want to save this company, take that laptop to a data recovery specialist right now. If you wait, its over.

My father glanced at Pamela. Her face turned red with fury.

Youre still lying! She lunged for the broken laptop on the table. She picked it up and slammed it onto the hardwood floor with all her might.

CRACK.

The casing split. She didnt stop. she stomped on it until the screen was a spiderweb of glass and the internal components were crushed.

I watched the debris scatter. The last bit of loyalty I held for that house finally snapped.

Tyler walked over to the wreckage and ground his heel into the motherboard.

Thats for trying to frame my mother, he hissed.

I looked at the three of them. My stomach was throbbing, the blood on my face was starting to itch as it dried.

You cant save a ghost that wants to die, I whispered.

Tyler kicked me one more time. Who are you calling a ghost?

He grabbed me by the hair, hauling me up, and began slapping meone, two, three times. My father sat back on the sofa and took a sip of tea, staring at the wall.

Tyler, honey, dont hit her too hard, Pamela said softly. She has to be presentable for whatever happens tomorrow.

Tyler threw me back onto the floor. Lock her in the basement. Ill deal with her after I sign the contracts tomorrow.

I was dragged down the stairs. The heavy wooden door slammed shut, and the bolt clicked. Pitch black.

I knew this room. It was the "timeout" room of my childhood. Whenever Pamela was bored, whenever Tyler cried, my father would toss me in here. No light, no sound, no one.

I leaned against the cold stone wall. My body ached, my lips were parched. But I didn't cry.

The next morning, the door opened. Tyler stood there, silhouetted by the light from above.

How was your night, Sis?

I didn't answer. I was starving, bruised, and my throat felt like it was filled with sand.

Seeing he couldn't get a rise out of me, he grabbed my arm and hauled me up. Get up. Youre coming to the office. I want you to watch. I want you to see the moment my name goes on that contract and your grandfathers legacy officially becomes mine.

I was shoved into the car. Pamela sat in the front, humming to herself. My father sat in the back with me, but he didn't look at me once.

When we reached the office, my father finally spoke. After the signing, Im calling an emergency board meeting. Im transferring all my shares to Tyler.

He looked at me then, his eyes like flint. And you? Youre fired. Effective immediately.

Tyler pushed me into a glass-walled observation room adjacent to the main conference hall. I could see them, but they couldn't see me through the tint.

Tyler took the head of the table. My father sat to his right, Pamela in the corner.

The clients arrived. Handshakes, small talk, the usual corporate theater. The secretary opened her laptop to pull up the final documents from the email. Her face went pale.

Mr. Wainwright... the final contracts... they haven't arrived.

Tyler froze. What?

My father frowned. What do you mean?

Tyler scrambled for his phone. Ill call the assistant.

the lead investor, a man named Mr. Lewis, checked his watch. He looked unimpressed. Tyler, were here to sign. Where is the paperwork?

Tylers voice was shaky as he got the assistant on the line. Where are the contracts? Were in the meeting!

Im trying to reach Vesper, sir! But her phone is off. Shes completely unreachable.

What do you mean unreachable? We need to sign now!

Mr. Lewis stood up. Is this a joke, Robert? You brought us here to waste our time?

My father scrambled to apologize. Mr. Lewis, please, a small technical glitch. One moment.

Tylers hands were shaking so hard he almost dropped his phone. The assistant spoke again over the speaker: Sir, I have a secondary emergency number for Vesper. Ill send it to you now.

Hurry!

A text came through. Tyler dialed it immediately.

The conference room went silent. Everyone watched Tylers phone.

Ring... ring... ring...

Then, a muffled buzzing sound began to vibrate inside the glass observation room.

From my pocket.

Tylers screen displayed the contact name: Cassie.

Tyler turned slowly, his face a mask of pure, horrified disbelief.

Tyler stared at his screen, his face turning a sickly shade of grey.

Mr. Lewis narrowed his eyes. Tyler? Are you going to answer the phone or talk to your expert?

Tyler fumbled with the buttons, hanging up in a panic. He forced a jagged laugh. Wrong number. Sorry, just a... technical error.

Pamela stood up suddenly, pointing at me through the glass. Robert, look at her! Shes doing this on purpose! Shes sabotaging us!

My father slammed his hands on the table, pushed back his chair, and stormed into the observation room.

What kind of game are you playing?! he bellowed.

I leaned back in the chair, meeting his eyes. I told you. I am Vesper.

Tyler followed him in, his face flushed. Liar! Vesper wouldn't spend years working as a low-level manager in a mid-sized firm! You just stole her number somehow. Youre a fraud!

Pamela crowded in behind them, her voice venomous. Robert, shes obsessed. Shes trying to trick you into thinking shes someone important so she can steal Tylers inheritance!

My father seemed to latch onto that. Youve always been a performer, haven't you? Ever since you were a kid, trying to get attention.

I couldn't help but laugh. It was so pathetic.

The contracts were on my laptop. You smashed it. You don't believe Im Vesper. So, what now?

Pamelas tone shifted, becoming sickly sweet. Cassie, honey, I know youre hurt. But this company is your fathers life. Do you really want to see it go bankrupt over a grudge?

Tylers eyes darted around, a new plan forming. Wait. If you are Vesper, then fine. Prove it. The contracts are gone, but if youre the expert, you can just draft them again, right? Right now.

He turned to our father. Dad, if she really cares about this family, shell fix this. It was her grandfathers company too, right? She wouldn't let it fail.

My father nodded eagerly. Yes! If youre Vesper, prove it. Fix the contracts now!

I looked at them, marveling at the audacity. I can rewrite them, I said. But I have one condition.

Pamela bristled. What condition?

I looked straight at my father. Admit it in front of the board and the investors. Admit that this company belongs to the Millers. Admit that you were just the man who married in and took over.

My fathers face turned a deep, bruised purple. You!

Robert, look at her! Pamela screamed. Shes trying to humiliate you!

Dad, don't listen to her! Tyler yelled. Shes bluffing! She can't do it! Shes just trying to tear you down!

My father pointed a shaking finger at me. Listen to me very clearly. This is Wainwright & Co. You either fix those contracts right now, or you are dead to me. Get out of my sight and never come back!

I stood up, smoothing my skirt.

Pamela had a smirk hidden behind her "concerned" expression. Tyler looked triumphant. My father was shaking with rage.

Fine, I said. Im leaving.

And don't you dare come back! Pamela shouted as I walked away.

At the door, I paused. Just remember. Without me, this deal is dead.