The Galilee Falls Trilogy (Book 3): Fall of Heroes by Jennifer Harlow

affects Pendergast.”
    “Then it’s a damn good thing I’m quitting Pendergast,” I say.
    “You’re what?” Lane asks. “You can’t.”
    “The hell I can’t. I never wanted to work for your damn company anyway. I hate it. I hate the boring meetings, the asshole executives who treat me like a sideshow freak, and I hate having to dress up and pretend I have any idea what I’m doing. I’ve given enough of my life to it, but I’m done. Fuck Pendergast.”
    “What the hell is going on?” Lane asks Shannon, who just shrugs.
    “What’s going on is I’m tired. I’m tired of giving, and giving, and getting fuck all in return but pain and heartache. I’m tired of living for other people. If other people don’t give a shit, why should I? It’s over. I’m done . Today’s my last official day as your dancing monkey. Plus Shannon’ll be much better in the position than me.” I look over at my flummoxed assistant. “Congratulations, you’ve just been promoted.”
    “I—” Shannon begins.
    “This is madness!” Lane proclaims. “Joanna, if this is another ruse like the one during the Cain incident, you need—”
    “It’s not. This is a hundred percent real.” I look at Shannon. “Draft up whatever papers are needed for you to become my proxy. Convene the board, scream it from the rooftops, whatever. As of tomorrow, I quit.”
    I stare out the window at the passing shops and boutiques. I know the others exchange confused and worried glances, but I don’t care. I made up my mind last night, even before the Jem bullshit. I only stuck it out this long for Justin. To preserve his legacy. Well, if he doesn’t give a shit about it, why the fuck should I? Besides, he should have given his shares to Shannon in the first place. She knew all the players, all the plays, and actually has a business degree. The company’s in better hands with her making my decisions. Falling in love with Jem, drinking my weight in whiskey, and fucking Bennett Stone show I clearly make wrong ones.
    “Joanna, whatever happened with Ambrose—”
    “This has nothing to do with him,” I insist. “This has to do with clarity.”
    “No, this has to do with the alcohol you obviously consumed last night. If you’re checking yourself into rehab, you need to let us know,” Lane says. “It won’t leave this—”
    “Jesus Christ! I thought you’d be over the damn moon I’m quitting, not leading the Spanish Inquisition.”
    “Well, we need to tell people something,” Shannon points out.
    “I’m resigning to pursue other ventures. I’m resigning to focus on charity. I’m resigning to become a nun. I don’t care what you tell them. And if they ask about the break-up give them the standard, ‘No comment.’”
    “Well, what did happen?” the lawyer asks.
    “No comment.”
    Lane throws up his hands in frustration. “This is insanity. You have lost your mind.”
    “Maybe I have, maybe I haven’t. Either way, you’re well rid of me.”
    “But what will you do?” Shannon asks.
    I haven’t gotten that far in the plan. Not that there really is a plan. “I’ll do whatever I want. The world’s my oyster, right? Untethered and unencumbered, answering to nothing and no one. Aren’t I the lucky girl?”
    The trio smartly stop their inquiries and we ride in silence the two minutes to Goliath. As the glass behemoth comes into view, repairs still underway, it’s so strange to think that when we arrived here not twenty-four hours ago my life was completely different. I just had to surprise Lucy. I just had to show up when he was visiting her. If I had chosen to arrive ten minutes earlier or later I’d still be living in blissful ignorance. Everyone’s always harping about the goddamn truth, myself included. The truth is overrated. Seriously. The truth can suck my dick.
    We’re ushered back to the conference room where the Goliath team wait. I suppose I should feel a sense of shame or at least embarrassment when I set eyes