I no longer went into the office. Samantha and Amanda continued to work on the deal, and I handled some of my other clients from home. Looking at my list, I realized that WTI was a front-page-of-the-Journal kind of deal, and the rest of them would be lucky to be mentioned in the on-line edition. I decided to take WTI back.
I arrived at WTI's headquarters to meet with Paul James. Without and other options, I went for broke. "Mr. James, I believe that my firm has mislead you. Against experienced advice, you are heading down a risky path, led by a former employee of mine who isn't what she seems."
He sat back and thought. After a minute, he replied, "Robert, I am disappointed with you. A strong manager allows his team members to shine. I know that you're a little out of your league, with a transaction this size. While I think you've made a bad decision, I can't help you out of it."
He picked up a prepared folder that was sitting on his desk. "This document is formal notice that WTI has severed relations with your firm. This is effective immediately."
He took another document out of the folder and put it in front of me. "Robert, this is notice that you are renouncing any noncompete or nonsolicit terms relating to Amanda. It allows WTI to bring her on as an advisor, cleanly."
Paul had paused before the word "cleanly". This pause signified that he was going to take Amanda - with or without my agreement. If I didn't release her, I would be giving notice that my now-one-man firm was going to attempt to take on WTI in court.
Immediately realizing that WTI had more lawyers than some mid-sized law firms, I signed the document, handing Amanda my client cleanly. "I'm sorry it had to come to this," Mr. James said as he ushered me out of his office.
I walked out of WTI's midtown skyscraper, having lost my star employee, my client, my transaction fees, and my wife. As I waited for a taxi, my phone rang. It was Amanda. "Come to the St. Regis, suite 318. Now." She hung up before I was able to say anything in response.
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