Chapter 15
Michael exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. “We’ll leave it at that for now. But remember this: loyalty and history do not outweigh performance and integrity. Leo will be held accountable, and if he fails, he will be replaced. That’s not a matter of opinion. That’s a fact.”
With that, the meeting resumed its tense discussions, but the seed of doubt had been planted. The directors who hadn’t raised their hands exchanged uneasy glances, wondering if their hesitation would come back to haunt them. For now, Leo’s fate hung in the balance, his final chance teetering on the edge of inevitability.
Chief Director Michael’s gaze swept over the room, his expression a mask of control as he prepared to move on to the next pressing matter. “Now that we’ve addressed Leo’s future,” he began, “it’s time to decide who will oversee him. Someone needs to monitor his actions, ensure accountability, and report directly to me.”
The room fell into a tense silence for a moment before Altruis Vander rose from his seat, his movements calm but deliberate. “Chief Director Michael,” he said, his voice measured, “I would be honored to take on that responsibility. I’ve always believed in maintaining high standards, and I think I can ensure that Leo meets the expectations required of him.”
The words hung in the air as Altruis sat back down, his demeanor confident yet restrained. But his statement sparked a wave of hushed whispers among the other directors.
“He’s just trying to climb higher,” one director murmured under their breath, their tone sharp with disdain.
“Greedy opportunist,” another whispered, their eyes darting toward Altruis.
Altruis, oblivious to the mutterings, remained composed, his focus on Chief Director Michael.
Michael raised his hand again, the gesture silencing the room instantly. His eyes scanned the directors, his expression stern. “Enough. This is not a place for petty gossip or baseless accusations. We are here to ensure the company’s stability and to find the best solution for this issue.”
He straightened in his seat, his voice firm and deliberate. “The role of overseeing Leo will be titled Chief of Staff. This position will require dedication, impartiality, and a commitment to holding others accountable. I will now ask the room: who votes for Altruis Vander to take on this role?”
Michael’s gaze swept across the directors, but not a single hand rose. The silence was deafening, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Altruis’s expression didn’t falter, though a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Michael leaned back, his lips pressing into a thin line as he observed the room. “No one,” he said, his tone sharp with disappointment. “Not one of you believes Altruis is fit for this role?”
One of the directors spoke up hesitantly. “It’s not that we doubt his capabilities, Chief Director. But given how contentious this situation already is, perhaps someone with no prior interest in Leo’s position would be better suited.”
Another director added, “Yes, neutrality is crucial for such a role. Altruis’s candidacy, while commendable, could create conflicts of interest given his expressed willingness to take over Leo’s position.”
Michael nodded slowly, digesting their reasoning. “Fair points,” he said. “But if not Altruis, then who? I will not leave this room without a decision. Leo needs oversight, and I need someone to ensure it happens.”
The room remained silent, the directors exchanging uneasy glances. It was clear that no one wanted the responsibility — or the potential fallout — of directly overseeing Leo.
Michael’s jaw tightened. “Very well,” he said, his voice cold. “If no one is willing to step forward, I will appoint someone myself. But make no mistake: whoever takes on this role will be held to the same high standards as Leo. And if they fail, the consequences will be just as severe.”
The weight of his words settled over the room, leaving the directors to mull over their reluctance as the meeting moved forward. Altruis sat quietly, his confidence unwavering despite the lack of support, while Michael prepared to push the company toward a decision — one way or another.
As the room simmered in tense silence, Daz Jones rose from his seat, his expression calm but resolute. He adjusted his jacket, his movements deliberate as he addressed Chief Director Michael.
“Chief Director Michael,” Daz began, his voice steady and commanding, “if no one else is willing to step into this role, I would like to offer myself as Chief of Staff. I believe I can bring the neutrality and accountability this company needs to move forward.”
Michael’s sharp gaze shifted to Daz, his lips pressing into a thoughtful line. After a brief pause, he gave a firm nod. “Very well, Daz. You are appointed as Chief of Staff, effective immediately.”
He turned his attention to the rest of the room, his voice carrying an edge of authority. “Let this be clear: as Chief of Staff, Daz will stand above all of you. He will have my full support, and I expect each of you to show him the respect his position deserves. His role is crucial to ensuring this company functions at the highest level, and I will tolerate no resistance to his authority.”
The room was silent for a beat, the weight of Michael’s words sinking in. Then, Daz took a deep breath and began to speak, his tone warm yet resolute.
“Thank you, Chief Director Michael, for entrusting me with this responsibility,” Daz said, his eyes scanning the room, meeting each director’s gaze in turn. “To all of you, I give my word: I will do everything in my power to make this company thrive. My goal is to take us to the next level — to make us more efficient, more innovative, and more united than we’ve ever been.”
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He paused, his voice softening slightly. “I understand the challenges we’re facing. But together, I believe we can overcome them. I don’t just want to oversee this company; I want to strengthen it. My vision is to make us ten times better than we are today, and I can’t do that without all of you. Let’s work together to make this vision a reality.”
The sincerity in his words struck a chord with the directors. Slowly, the tension in the room eased, replaced by an air of optimism. One by one, they began to applaud, the sound building into a collective show of support.
Daz stood tall, a faint smile on his face as the applause echoed around him. He had claimed the role not through ambition or manipulation, but through a genuine desire to improve the company. For the first time in the meeting, there was a sense of unity, a shared purpose.
Chief Director Michael nodded approvingly, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips. “Congratulations, Chief of Staff Daz. I look forward to seeing the results of your leadership.”
The applause continued, a powerful acknowledgment of the new direction the company was taking under Daz’s watch. The future remained uncertain, but for the moment, hope filled the room.
As Leo stepped out of the office building that evening, the brisk air seemed colder than usual, biting at his skin. His steps were slow and heavy, each one dragging him further away from the place he had once called his second home. The familiar corridors and desks, the faces he had worked with for years, now felt alien, distant — a stark reminder of how far he had fallen.
He had spent his entire career building his reputation, cultivating friendships, and weaving himself into the fabric of the company. Yet, none of it had been enough to shield him from the consequences of his own actions. He had betrayed the trust of the people around him, and now, those same people were watching his world crumble.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted to Daniel, the quiet technician who had once been an easy target but had transformed into something far more dangerous. The thought of Daniel sent a chill through Leo that had nothing to do with the cold evening air. There was something unsettling about the man Daniel had become — calm, calculating, and utterly unrelenting.
But it wasn’t just Daniel’s transformation that filled Leo with dread. His mind lingered on Leila Sheen, a name that carried both guilt and fear for him. Leila had once been one of the most hard-working and respected employees in the company, a rising star in the Human Resources Department. Her dedication and efficiency had earned her the favor of even Chief Director Michael, who spoke highly of her accomplishments.
And yet, she had left abruptly, her departure shocking everyone in the office. People whispered about burnout, about opportunities elsewhere, but Leo knew the truth. He had been the reason.
Leo’s heart raced as his memories of Leila came flooding back. The inappropriate advances, the lingering touches under the guise of professionalism — he had convinced himself at the time that no one had noticed. He had been careful, calculated, ensuring there were no witnesses.
But the fear that Daniel might know gnawed at him. He remembered seeing Daniel and Leila chatting on occasion, their conversations always friendly, though never too frequent. Did she tell him? The question loomed large in his mind, a shadow that refused to dissipate.
If Daniel knew, and if he had the evidence or testimony to expose Leo’s actions toward Leila, it would be the final nail in his coffin. Not even Chief Director Michael’s last shred of leniency would save him from the backlash.
And worse still, Leila’s departure hadn’t erased her presence from the company. To this day, Clayton Pierre often mentioned her during HR meetings, using her as an example of excellence. Her name was still spoken with respect, a reminder of what the company had lost.
The thought of her reputation compared to his own filled Leo with a bitter mix of jealousy and fear. She was everything he wasn’t — respected, remembered fondly, and above all, blameless.
As Leo trudged home, his legs felt weak, his body heavy with the weight of his own actions. For the first time in his life, he felt the cold sting of true regret, a realization that his behavior had irreparably damaged not just others, but himself.
But regret wouldn’t save him now. His past was catching up with him, and he knew that Daniel, the quiet man he had underestimated for years, held the key to his ultimate downfall.
Leo clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had spent his life building power and influence, only to watch it unravel at the hands of someone he had once dismissed. And now, the ghosts of his actions haunted him, each one a step closer to pulling him under.
On his way home, he took a detour to the park nearby.
Leo sank onto one of the park benches, the familiar surroundings of the quiet park offering little solace as his mind churned with dread. The cold air nipped at his skin, but he barely noticed, too absorbed in the weight of his thoughts. This was the same park where he had confronted Daniel not long ago, and now, the memory of that encounter gnawed at him.
He replayed Daniel’s words in his mind: “It’s too late.”
The phrase echoed, sharp and unforgiving. At the time, he had been consumed by the fear of losing his job, of watching his carefully constructed world crumble. But now, as he sat there, another terrible thought clawed its way to the forefront of his mind: What if Daniel isn’t just exposing my incompetence? What if he’s toying with me? What if this is all leading up to him revealing my behavior toward Leila?
The thought struck him like a blow to the chest. He had treated Leila Sheen the same way he had treated Daniel — dismissively, cruelly — on top of his inappropriate advances. At the time, he had assumed his actions had gone unnoticed. Leila was quiet, reserved, much like Daniel had been. When she left the company abruptly, Leo had assumed it was a clean break, that she had chosen to walk away rather than confront him.
He had expected the same from Daniel. In his mind, Daniel was just another quiet employee, someone who would endure the mistreatment until they eventually faded into obscurity, just like Leila.
But Daniel hadn’t left. Instead, he had stayed, and now he had risen to a position of terrifying power.
Leo’s hands trembled slightly as he gripped the edge of the bench. What if Daniel knows everything? The question ate away at him. If Daniel and Leila had ever spoken about his behavior, there was no telling what kind of evidence or testimony Daniel might have.
The memory of Daniel’s calm, cold demeanor during their last encounter resurfaced, sending a shiver down Leo’s spine. Daniel had been so composed, so confident, like a man in complete control. What if this is all a game to him? Leo thought, his breath quickening. What if he’s drawing this out, toying with me, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal everything?
The thought consumed him, a suffocating wave of dread. If Daniel was holding back the truth about Leila, it wasn’t just his job that was on the line — it was his entire reputation, his career, his life. The fallout would be catastrophic, and there would be no coming back from it.