My CEO 52

I

52 Dead Wood (Winona)

"I am here for damage control. The shareholders have spoken. Too many wanted out. I'm here to turn the ship around and get confidence back." Gus Brennan continues talking, his deep voice vibrating through the room like a warning bell.

You could scoop up the nervousness hanging in the air and eat it like ice cream.

Just add sprinkles to mine, thanks.

Every word he says feels like a direct hit, slicing through the tension with surgical precision. My chest tightens, a knot of anxiety coiling inside me as I steal a glance at Jayden. His jaw is clenched, eyes marrowing in a mix of frustration and disbelief. I'm nervous for him.

How much more can he take? His mind might end up in overload. Then again, a break from the company may be the lifeline he needs, right now. I guess, either way, we are going to find out. A break from Judy would be better. No chance of that now she's acting like a doting grandmother.

The room seems to shrink around us, the walls pressing in as Gus's gaze sweeps over the assembled faces and continues on his verbal journey.

"Dead wood will be carved off. Those left will triple their workload. Top heavy executive salaries will be gutted. Any form of disloyalty will be removed immediately. Some already have been."

the room. I can almost

I'm lucky not to have gotten the

his voice thunderous, as if to let us all know how serious he is. "I am now acting CEO. Only my first-born heirs can stand in my place and

out of a

trans, or more rainbow than a unicorn fart. The anticipation of Judy being ousted

a mask of turmoil. The hard set of his mouth, the twitch in his cheek.

blindsided. His fists clench and unclench on the table, knuckles white, a silent testament to his inner struggle. Surprise, surprise-he

being out from under the pressure of being CEO and first-born heir will be

and I'll update you at the end of the day," Gus Brennan continues, his voice a relentless hammer. "Everyone else, except for the following people,

echoes through the room. I think half the table just died on the spot. I hold

+25 BONUS

52 Dead Wood

for the names of those staying behind. I'm not sure

Winona Nolan. All stay. Phillip Joseph and Ashlyn Thomas are coming up in the elevator

and Ashlyn? I blink, the shock rippling through me. Okay. Unexpected. I glance at Phillip as he strides in, his face etched

looks at me and sits in an empty seat across the table, his eyebrows raised in question. I shrug my shoulders, the uncertainty now gnawing at

Lance whispers under his breath

inject some confidence

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