“Yes,” growled Henry. “In full.”
“Then I don’t see a problem. We’ve had clients do this before, Henry. Skate in and out. It’s disappointing but a part of doing business. Clients have a fundamental right to discharge us at any time, with or without cause.”
A knock sounded on her door and they both looked in that direction as her assistant leaned in.
“Mr. Lymon would like to see both of you in his office at once.”
“Thank you, Erica.”
Scarlett slipped back into her heels and grabbed her iPad. She moved past Henry and went down the corridor until she reached the end. The old man’s assistant asked if she wanted coffee and Scarlett shook her head. Caffeine had to go now that she was pregnant. The young woman waved her in. Little Lymon was already seated next to his grandfather. The old man stood and greeted her with a kiss to the cheek as his son slid into a chair, still seething.
“Good to have you back, my dear. You were missed. I hope everything is fine with your brother and his family.”
“It is. Thank you for asking.” She took a seat and he followed suit.
“You took more days than you told HR you would,” Henry said, reminding her of a tattling schoolboy. “As the managing partner, I have to tell you that sets a bad example. Other partners will get the wrong idea. Not to mention the associates.”
Scarlett looked at him steadily. “Technically, I only took off six days total. The rest of the time, I’ve worked from Rhett’s home office. I was in constant contact with Erica as well as my client list. I closed three sponsorship deals, handled a half-dozen other cases, and settled two other claims. I also helped launch Knox and London Monroe’s furniture and design line. I wasn’t lying on some beach drinking rum punches, Henry. You should know because I’ve already submitted my billable hours to you for the month.”
He glared daggers at her. Scarlett realized he hated being challenged by her in front of his father and son.
“No squabbling,” the old man ordered gruffly. Then in soothing tones he said, “I have something new I want the two of you to work on together. Scarlett, you’ll also be mentoring Trae during the proceedings. I won’t lie to you. It’s complicated. I know how you love a challenge.”
Spending countless hours in Henry Lymon’s company would pile misery upon misery. That was no frame of mind to be in with a baby on the way. Suddenly, sitting at Lymon McGraw was the last place Scarlett wanted to be. She’d enjoyed the freedom of making her own schedule while she’d been at Rhett’s. She worked on the cases that had meaning to her and accomplished more than usual without interruptions.
It hit her that she could leave this firm and strike out on her own. Without a doubt, several clients would follow her, including handling matters for RCDS. Her reputation would bring in new business to compensate for those she lost. She could pick and choose what she wanted to do and whom she would represent. It would be her workload to create and manage.
“This is a case involving—”
“Mr. Lymon, may I speak to you privately?” Scarlett interrupted.
“Now?” He looked baffled.
Trae snickered.
Henry harrumphed.
“Scarlett, I realize you’ve just gotten back into the office,” the founder of the firm began.
“I did. I thought this was what I wanted. To come back and pick up where I left off.” She paused. “It’s not.”
The old man’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I’d like to tender my resignation from the firm.”
Silence greeted her declaration. Her gut told her this was the right choice to make. For her. For her baby. Scarlett pressed on.
“We’ll need to notify our client list that I’m leaving the firm, especially the ones in which I’ve served in the principal role for their legal services. I think a joint notification would be best, once I’ve put out an email to the partners and the rest of the staff at Lymon McGraw.”
She looked to the old man. “Mr. Lymon, you did me a great honor hiring me directly out of law school. You’ve entrusted me with delicate cases and I’ve learned so much from you. My life is changing, though, and I need to make accommodations to see those changes through.”
His faded blue eyes misted over. “You’ve been an asset from the moment you walked through our doors, my dear. Why don’t you inform the firm and then draft the joint letter for me to look over? Be sure to assure our clients that we have their best needs in mind during this transition.”
Henry leaped to his feet. “You’re going to let her write the letter?”
The old man nodded. “I have no doubt Scarlett will word it meticulously. She would never disparage the firm or mislead our clients. They can choose to stay with us or follow her. Over the years, she’s originated several clients and cultivated a relationship with many others.”
“That’s the point, Father. She could walk away with some of our top dollar clientele.”
“As is her right, Henry.”
“I don’t give a fuck about her rights. She owes us. We’ve groomed her for a decade and now she thinks she can walk away from all that we’ve invested in her?”
The old man sighed. “Henry, Henry. All you see are dollar signs. You never see people.”
“He’s never seen me,” Trae interjected. “I never wanted to become a lawyer.”
Henry jerked his head to look at his son. “Being some country musician was no future for a Lymon.”
“I like writing music, Dad. It feeds my soul. Did you even know I still write? That I play in a band on weekends? Mom does. She’s come to see me play.”
“You what? No wonder your briefs are so spotty,” Henry said, his disapproval evident.
Trae stood. “I quit. I have enough saved to go it for a few months.” He grinned at Scarlett.
