Page 22 of Forty, Flirty & Fired

Fuck.

Doesn’t help that the timing is too perfect, the details too specific.

Problem is: We’ve had a thousand disgruntled employees since the acquisition. Could be any one of them.

The timing of these posts is interesting, though.

My phone buzzes – Emma with the latest PR report. Apparently, the anonymous blogger's post is trending. Various tech news sites are picking up the story, speculating about which company is being referenced.

I should be angry. Should be launching investigations, tightening security, doing whatever it takes to plug the leak.

Instead, I find myself admiring the strategy. The way the posts are timed for maximum impact. The careful balance of specific details and plausible deniability.

It's exactly how I'd do it, if I were trying to force change.

I check my watch – eleven hours until dinner. Eleven hours to decide if I'm really ready to play this game. Because make no mistake, it is a game.

My phone buzzes again. A text from Grayson, my college roommate:

GRAYSON:Just saw that blog post about your midlife crisis acquisition. Do you need me to have my cyber security team trace this blogger? Or should I start shopping for your sports car?

ME:I'll handle the blogger. And I already have a sports car.

GRAYSON:Your Rolls Royce doesn't count. I mean a proper midlife crisis vehicle. Red. Convertible. Something that screams "I'm overcompensating for my gray hair”

ME:Shouldn't you be focusing on that new dating app of yours instead of critiquing my vehicle choices?

GRAYSON:Multitasking. Also avoiding my sister’s wedding planning calls. Speaking of avoiding relationships -how's that corporate culture consultant working out? The one who baptized you in champagne?

ME:Professionally? She's brilliant. Otherwise? None of your business.

GRAYSON:That's not a denial. Should we be worried about the pact? Because if you crack first, Connor owes me $5000

ME:The pact isn't in danger. It's just business

GRAYSON:Sure. That's why you’ve been texting us back after midnight most nights. Because your mind is on business

ME:It hasn’t been past midnight EVERY night

GRAYSON:Yet you didn't deny the possibility of you cracking. Interesting. Very interesting.

ME:Don't you have some digital dick to provide to your hungry app base?

GRAYSON:Fine, avoid the topic. But bachelor weekend is in two months. If you show up with a plus-one, Connor and I will never let you live it down. Remember: last man standing buys the retirement yacht

ME:Your concern for my love life is touching. And expensive

GRAYSON:Hey, you're the one who suggested that bet in '02. "I'll never settle for less than perfect" - direct quote from drunk Stanford Alex

ME:I hate that you remember my exact words

GRAYSON:That's what best friends are for. That, and taking your money in bets they know you won’t win

ME:Don’t worry about my shit, Gray. I’ll handle it

Because I will. One way or another.

But first, I have a company to run, a board to manage, and about fifty emails about that damn blog post to ignore.

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