What Eleanor never knew was that Victoria Sterling had been watching my career since 2018. Every time Eleanor diminished me publicly, Victoria was offering me bigger projects, better contracts, more recognition. The Fortune 500 consulting contract I had just signed included a clause specifically stating that I was to be credited as lead strategic consultant in all public communications. Victoria’s way of ensuring my value couldn’t be hidden anymore.
“Your mother-in-law is a fool,” Victoria told me over lunch last month. “Her loss is corporate America’s gain.”
But knowing my worth and claiming it publicly were two different things. Until now, I’d chosen peace over confrontation. That was about to change.
The email from Victoria Sterling arrived on September 15th, marked CONFIDENTIAL: BOARD APPROVED.
Josephine, the board has unanimously approved our offer. $8.5 million for 18 months of exclusive strategic consulting, plus performance bonuses up to $2 million. Your digital transformation framework will be implemented across all Meridian Global subsidiaries. Contract begins November 1st. This makes you the highest-paid consultant in our company’s history. Your expertise is worth every penny of that 8.5 million.
