Page 89 of Crash and Burn

His eyes narrowed.

"Stole?" he chuckled. "I think you'll find that I have every right to take credit." He went to his desk and pulled out a folder, flipping through the contents before handing it to me. "You'll see everything's in order."

I took the folder warily and examined the document he'd flipped to.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Our contract," he said. "You'll find the relevant part halfway down the page."

I scanned the words, trying to make sense of the legalese. A few words jumped out at me.

"...shall receive no remuneration..."

"...designated as the sole designer..."

"...will relinquish all right to the work in question..."

Nausea roiled in my belly and I wavered on my feet. I re-read the words over and over again, but they stayed the same.

"What thehellis this?" I asked grimly.

"It's the contract you signed," Carling said, a pleased smile on his face.

I'd trusted him. He had acted like a mentor to me. I'd thought he'd actually cared about me and my career.

I'd been a complete idiot.

"It's quite a standard contract," he continued.

"There's nothing standard about signing away all rights to my designs!" I cried.

"It's airtight, I can assure you," he said.

I threw the folder to the floor, papers scattering everywhere.

"You won't get away with this," I growled.

"I believe you'll find I already have," he said. “You clearly didn't read the non-disclosure agreement. You may not discuss the details of this project, or your involvement, with anyone."

"That was only until we launched," I insisted.

"If you read it carefully, you'll see that the terms of our agreement last far beyond the launch of the new fashion line. In fact..." Carling bent down to sweep up the papers and tuck them neatly back into the folder. "You aren't allowed to talk about any of this, to anyone, ever."

Sour acid rose up from my stomach to my throat. I wanted to throw up everything I'd eaten for the past week.

This couldn't be happening. I was going to wake up and find out this was just a crazy nightmare, wasn't I?

A shark-like smile slid across Carling's face.

"If that's everything...?" he said lightly. "I'm sure you can see yourself out."

A sharp, stabbing pain went through my chest. My entire body trembled with fury. Red hot rage filled my vision. I had the vicious urge to punch him in the face.

"You're a monster," I hissed.

"I'm a successful businessman," he countered. "And you?" He straightened his fashionable tie and pinned me down with a snide look.

"Youareno one."