"I believe you are. Thank you, Mr. Davies. You may return to your desk. " Owen turned and walked out of the room. As the heavy glass door clicked shut behind him, he let out a long breath.
He didn't know if he had just saved his job or signed his own termination papers. But as he walked back to the elevator, he realized one thing. The untouchable billionaire wasn't untouchable anymore, and she knew it. The axe didn't fall on Thursday or Friday. Owen spent 48 hours waiting for building security to arrive at his cubicle with a cardboard box.
He checked his bank account three times a day. $42 had dwindled to 12 after he bought a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread. He mentally cataloged which pawn shop would give him the best rate for his TV. On Monday morning, the fluorescent lights buzzed as usual. Owen was staring at a blank screen when Todd's office door slammed open. Todd marched out carrying a plastic crate filled with a drooping desk plant, a few framed photos, and his expensive steel coffee mug.
His face was the color of raw brick. He didn't look at anyone. He walked straight down the aisle, swiped his badge at the glass doors, and disappeared. A collective breath released across the fourth floor. Before the gossip could even start, Owen's desk phone chirped.
It was a sterile double ring internal tone. He picked it up. Owen Davies. A crisp female voice said, "This is Margaret from the executive suite. Ms.
Mercer expects you in her office in 5 minutes. " The line clicked dead. Owen stood up. He didn't bother straightening his tie. If he was getting fired for insubordination, he was going to do it in a wrinkled collar. The penthouse office was a stark contrast to the rest of the building.
It wasn't just quiet. It was insulated from reality. The floors were dark, polished hardwood. The walls were glass, offering a panoramic, dizzying view of the city skyline. It felt like standing on the edge of a cloud.
Evelyn was sitting behind a massive desk carved from a single slab of walnut. She was reading a physical file, a pen twirling between her fingers. She looked up when Owen walked in. "Shut the door, Mr. Davies. " Owen pushed the heavy oak door closed, it sealed with a heavy pressurized click.
"Todd has been terminated," Evelyn stated, skipping the pleasantries. She leaned back in her chair. His severance package was contingent on him leaving the premises immediately. The audit of the Seattle Hub revealed gross negligence and intentional data manipulation to secure his quarterly bonuses. Owen stood with his hands in his pockets.
I assumed. You didn't assume. You knew. Evelyn corrected. She dropped the pen onto the desk.
You knew and you let him take the fall in front of the board. I answered the question you asked me, Ms. Mercer. Nothing more. Evelyn watched him.