Page 12 of Forty, Flirty & Fired

Much.

Back in my office, I close the door and pull up my blog draft:

"TECH TRUTH TEA TIME: Sitting in on my first exec meeting at [redacted tech company], and wow, the cognitive dissonance is real. Watching rich white guys in suits talk about 'relating to the average developer' is like watching my nonna try to explain TikTok - painful, slightly offensive, but somehow you can't look away. #TechBroLogic #CorporateCulture"

I'm about to add more when someone knocks on my glass wall - because apparently, privacy is only for people who don't believe in "open door policies."

It's Drake. Again. Because the universe hates me.

"Lunch?" he asks, crossing his impressive arms. “There's a great sushi place around the corner. We should discuss your ideas about team lead integration."

Part of me - the part that's been single since Roberto and remembers what it's like to have lunch with an attractive man - wants to say yes.

The larger, more cynical part - the part that runs @MizzByteMyAlgos and remembers what happened the last time I trusted a man in a nice suit - knows better.

"Rain check," I say, holding up my tablet. "I should finish my notes while they're fresh."

"Another time then." He pauses, then adds, "By the way, have you seen the latest post from that tech whistleblower? The one about mandatory meditation?"

My heart stops. Starts. Stops again.

"Can't say that I have," I lie. "I try to stay away from social media during work hours."

"Shame." He scowls before shaking his head. "It's quite entertaining. Almost as entertaining as watching Gerald try not to have an aneurysm during your presentation."

He leaves before I can respond, which is probably good because my brain is too busy short-circuiting between "he reads my blog" and "holy shit, he reads my blog."

I wait until he's gone before updating my draft:

"Plot twist: What if the CEO isn't the final boss? What if he's just another player in a bigger game? Stay tuned, tech fam. This rabbit hole goes deeper than we thought. #TechTruth #WatchThisSpace"

I hit post and lean back in my ergonomic chair (which, for the record, is about as comfortable as sitting on Gerald's personality).

One day in, and I'm already questioning everything I thought I knew about Drake Enterprises.

About Alexander Drake.

I close my laptop and head to the break room. If I'm going to survive this undercover operation, I'm going to need coffee.

And maybe a therapist.

5

THE BOARD ROOM STRIKES BACK

ALEX

Another gray Seattle morning, another chance to question my sanity for hiring Mackenzie Gallo.

It’s been a week since we hired the consultant, and already, Drake Enterprises is seeing change.

I stand at my office window, watching rain streak the glass while the board members file into the conference room. The autumn weather matches their mood - dark and threatening.

"The numbers from the retention interviews are in." Emma drops a report on my desk. "Ms. Gallo's strategy is... working."

I raise an eyebrow. "That sounds painful for you to admit."

"It is." She taps her tablet. "But thirty percent of the developers who were planning to leave have withdrawn their resignations. After one day of interviews."

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