In the boardroom, the air smells like expensive cologne and fear disguised as professionalism.
One director says, “Ethan, we’re grateful this misunderstanding is resolving.”
Misunderstanding.
The word tastes like insult.
You stand and look around the table at people who smiled while your life burned.
Then you do the one thing they don’t expect.
You don’t beg for your throne.
You ask about the employees.
“What happens to the people whose retirement accounts were tied to our stock?” you ask, voice calm.
“What happens to the call center staff who got laid off last night because you needed ‘cost control’?”
The directors blink like you just spoke another language.
You turn slightly and gesture to Luis.
“This man cleaned your floors for twenty years,” you say.
“And he saved this company’s integrity when your titles and salaries didn’t.”
The room stiffens.
