The Man She Called A Nobody

Chapter 7: The Bitter Taste Of Defeat

Nelson rubbed his arm where the guard had grabbed him, his expression unreadable. He looked at Franklin, his voice ringing out with a cold, sharp clarity that made Lisa flinch.

“I’m disappointed, Franklin. I came here expecting a professional atmosphere, not to be harassed by people who don’t know their place. It’s a shame the Kingston family allows such… unrefined guests into these events.”

Franklin’s head stayed bowed an extra second —a gesture of profound apology—before he turned toward the security guards. The warmth in his eyes had completely vanished.

“You two are fired,” Franklin said flatly. “You are blacklisted from every Kingston property and affiliate. Pack your things and be off the premises in five minutes, or the police will be called for assault.”

The two guards crumpled. One of them dropped to his knees, his face pale with terror. “Mr. Franklin, please! We were just following orders. We didn’t know who he was! We were told he was a trespasser!”

The other guard looked at Nelson, his voice trembling. “Sir, please. This job is the only way I can support my family. We just did what we were told.”

Franklin looked ready to have them dragged away, but Nelson held up a hand.

“Leave them, Franklin,” Nelson said. His voice was calm now, devoid of the earlier anger. “They were just tools. They shouldn't pay for the stupidity of the people who gave them the order.”

Franklin looked confused, his brow furrowing. “Sir, they humiliated you in public.”

“I’m fine,” Nelson replied, casting a side-eye toward Bobby and Lisa. “They’ve learned their lesson. But next time,” he said, looking directly at the guards, “remember that a suit doesn’t define a man’s worth. Don’t be so quick to disrespect someone just because someone else told you to.”

The guards nearly sobbed with relief, prostrating themselves in gratitude before scurrying away.

Lisa stood like a statue, her mind spinning so fast she felt nauseous. This wasn't the man she had spent four years looking down on. This wasn't the man who spent his days cooking dinner and waiting for her to come home. This version of Nelson held the power of life and death over people's careers.

Before she could speak, Franklin gestured toward the VIP corridor. “Sir, Mr. Kingston has been waiting for you. He’s anxious to begin the meeting. If you’ll follow me?”

Nelson nodded and began to walk away, not giving Lisa or Bobby a single backwards glance.

A moment later, the gala’s announcer took the stage, the microphone feedback ringing through the hall as the lights dimmed for the main event. A man in a royal blue suit stepped up to the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We are about to announce the firms selected for the Kingston partnership program.”

Lisa felt a surge of desperate hope. She forgot about the Nelson drama for a moment, her heart hammering against her ribs. This was it. This was the moment she had sacrificed her marriage for. If she got this contract, everything else—the humiliation, the confusion—would be worth it.

“The first partner,” the announcer began, “is the Harrington Group.”

Applause thundered.

“Second, the Blackwood Corporation.”

Lisa’s palms were sweating. She gripped Bobby’s hand, though she noticed his grip was limp and his face was still pale from the encounter with Franklin.

“Third, the Sinclair Team. Fourth, Lancaster & Sons.”

The list was getting shorter. Lisa’s breath hitched. One more, she thought. Just give me one.

“And finally… the Ashford Firm.”

The room erupted. People were standing, cheering, and shaking hands. But for Lisa, the world went silent. The names were over. Her company—the one she had boasted about, the one she told Nelson was "out of his league"—was nowhere to be found.

She didn't wait for the closing remarks. Lisa turned and bolted for the exit, pushing through the heavy mahogany doors and into the cool night air.

The tears came instantly, hot and blurring. She ran to her car, fumbling with the keys, and slammed the door shut so hard it rocked the frame. She let out a scream of pure frustration, slamming her hands against the steering wheel until her palms were bruised.

“How? How did this happen?!” she sobbed, her hair falling across her face in a wild, tangled mess.

Bobby caught up to her, breathless. He stood by the driver's side window, looking through the glass. “Lisa, hey… calm down. It’s okay. There are other companies. We’ll find another deal.”

Lisa rolled down the window, her eyes bloodshot and filled with venom. “Calm down? I worked my entire life for this! You told me that contract was a sure thing! Don’t tell me to be calm, Bobby! You’re useless!”

Bobby flinched, looking as though she’d slapped him.

A few minutes later, a janitor walked past the parking lot, hauling a large bag of discarded papers from the gala. As he swung the bag, a loose sheet of paper caught the wind and fluttered toward Bobby’s feet.

Bobby looked down at it, ignoring it at first, until a bold header caught his eye.

KINGSTON PARTNERSHIP: FINAL SELECTION LIST.

“Lisa… you need to see this,” Bobby said, his voice trembling as he picked it up.

Lisa snatched the paper from him, her eyes scanning the names. Her breath stopped. There, at the very bottom of the list, clearly printed and then crossed out with a heavy black marker, was her company’s name.

She hadn't lost. She had been chosen. And then, at the last second, someone had personally struck her from the list.

The realization hit her like a physical blow. Someone had sabotaged her. Someone with enough power to override a Kingston decision.

She didn't think. She threw the door open and sprinted back inside, searching for Franklin. She caught him just as he was about to step into a waiting black SUV.

“Mr. Franklin! Wait!” she screamed, skidding to a halt in front of him. She shoved the paper toward him. “My name… my company was on this list. Why wasn't I called? Please, tell me what happened!”

Franklin looked at the paper, then back at Lisa. His expression was one of cold pity.

“The final decision on that list didn't come from me or the board, Ms. Park. It came from the person who actually holds the keys to the Kingston vault.”

Lisa dropped to her knees on the asphalt, her pride shattered into a million pieces. “Please… I’ll do anything. Just tell me who I need to talk to. I can fix this.”

Franklin looked at her for a long, silent moment. Finally, he pulled a small business card from his pocket and scribbled an address on the back. He handed it to her without a word and pulled the car door shut.

Lisa stayed on her knees, staring at the card. It was an address for a corporate office she didn't recognize, but the name on the front of the card made her stomach turn.

As Bobby walked up and put a hand on her shoulder, Lisa felt a cold, terrifying certainty. She had traded a king for a pawn, and now, the king was playing the long game.