Chapter 19
Jason
As I step into the boardroom a couple of weeks later, the atmosphere is thick with tension as executives take their seats, eyes darting in anticipation of the confrontation ahead. The air is electric with whispers of rumors and hidden agendas, setting the stage for a showdown that could determine the fate of the company.
“Okay, let’s get this show started since our CEO has finally arrived.” Thomas Carter says, exuding an air of smug confidence. He steps forward to lay his accusations bare. His voice is sharp as he casts a dark shadow on me, calling out the rumored affair with Vivienne and slinging allegations of professional misconduct like daggers.
I must admit, it doesn’t look good for me.
I glance subtly at the boardroom’s doors, wondering where Viv and Melissa are. Just then, as if summoned, the heavy doors swing open, and in strides Vivienne, her presence commanding the room. Behind her, Melissa grips a dossier of documents tightly, an unspoken promise of bombshells yet to be revealed. With an unwavering demeanor, Vivienne takes the floor, her voice steady as she acknowledges her relationship with me, piercing through the tangled web of deceit with a powerful declaration.
But she doesn’t stop there. In a dramatic turn of events, Vivienne exposes the intricate schemes orchestrated by Thomas and Jen, unveiling shocking evidence of Thomas's own affairs with clients and Jen’s malicious endeavors to undermine my every move by fucking with me calendar to passing off clients to Thomas. The board sits in stunned silence, grappling with the truth unfolding before them.
“This is outrageous accusations!” Thomas yells, as he pushing back from the table, his chair toppling over. “You have no proof of any this.”
Vivienne offers a sly smile to Thomas. “Well, actually Carter, Dominik Volcury is an absolute genius and does his job well. You see…”Vivienne carefully opens the folder Melissa was holding and starts spreading documents and photos all over the table. “All of this looks like pretty solid proof to me.”
In that charged moment, I find my voice. I stand, vulnerability etched on my face, and speak with raw honesty about my mistakes. My words are imbued with a deep desire for personal growth and a clarion call for a more compassionate workplace culture. I touch on the struggle for balance in a world that often prioritizes ambition over emotional homeostasis. Murmurs of agreement ripple through the board, many reflecting on their own experiences buried beneath the weight of expectations.
In the aftermath, the tension in the room shifts once more as board members make their decision—Thomas and Jen are suspended pending investigation, their fate now uncertain. Meanwhile, I am asked to take a short leave to reflect on my life and the choices that led me here, a bittersweet relief mixed with the gravity of what lies ahead. A forced vacation, you could call it. I haven’t taken one since the months that followed leslie’s death.
As Vivienne and I leave the office, a new chapter looms in the air around us. In the lobby, we are greeted by Lucas and Dom.
“Jason, bruh. What the fuck did I just miss. Dom called me and wanted to know how come I wasn’t in the board room.”
I sighed and gripped Vivienne’s hand as I pulled her towards me. “Lucas, this wasn’t your battle to fight. They were after me and Viv. I didn’t want anyone else involved. Well, besides Dom, because without his hacking skills, we would have never uncovered all of the shit that Thomas and Jen were up to.”
“Aww, Jason. I’m fucking flattered.” Dom chuckles, as he places his hand over his heart. “Let’s get the fuck out of here and grab something to eat and maybe a few drinks. It’s been a hell of a day.”