Page 75 of Forty, Flirty & Fired

"Of course, sir." Emma's tone suggests she's adding notes to that risk assessment matrix she thinks I don't know about. "Though you might want to address the... situation in the parking garage."

"Situation?"

"Keith appears to have organized what he's calling a 'welcome back celebration for our revolutionary leaders.' There are more berets involved, of course. And what appears to be a choir performing 'Do You Hear the People Love.'"

That’s what all Mondays are missing apparently.

Not better pay. Or better pens. Nope, just revolutionary musical numbers.

Through the glass walls (Mac's been right about that all along), I can see her arriving at her office. She's wearing a deep blue suit that makes her look simultaneously powerful and kissable, and I'm definitely not thinking about how that suit looked on my cabin floor yesterday.

My phone buzzes – Grayson:

GRAY:SecureMatch's AI just flagged an interesting pattern at Drake Enterprises. Your corporate culture consultant is generating more positive relationship markers than our best algorithm matches. Something you want to tell me about that mountain getaway?

ME:Your AI is analyzing my company now?

GRAY:Hey, testing pattern recognition across all major tech companies. Though I have to say, Keith's revolutionary romance hashtags are giving our dating app development team some... unique data. #LoveInTheTimeOfCorporateRevolution is trending in three cities.

ME:So, the app is going well, then?

GRAY:Already running beta tests. Speaking of which, want to help us analyze how a certain anonymous blogger went from your biggest critic to your biggest supporter? Our relationship prediction models are fascinated by the correlation

I ignore that, but another text immediately follows:

CONNOR:The bachelor pact is officially dead, isn't it? Also, dibs on bestman. I called it first

"Sir?" Emma interrupts my response. "The board is assembling early. And Gerald's bringing Amelia Zegen with him."

My head snaps up. "The tech journalist? Why?"

"Apparently she has 'compelling evidence' about the anonymous blogger's identity. Something about IP addresses and the Winter Strategy Summit posts."

Through the glass, I watch Mac handle what appears to be Keith's attempt at a revolutionary flash mob. She's magnificent – all power and grace as she somehow transforms "Do You Hear the People Love" into an impromptu team building exercise.

"Tell Gerald I'll be there in five minutes." I stand, straightening my tie. "And Emma? Make sure Ms. Gallo knows about our... visitor."

"Already done, sir." She pauses at the door. "Though you might want to know... the latest blog post about mental health in tech? It's not just viral anymore. It's starting conversations about real change. Other companies are implementing similar policies."

"Good." I check my reflection, adjusting my cuffs. "That was the point, wasn't it?"

Emma's eyebrows hit her hairline. "Sir?"

"Change doesn't always come from the top, Emma. Sometimes it takes a revolution." I glance at Keith's choir, now attempting what appears to be a love ballad about corporate transparency. "Though perhaps with fewer musical numbers."

The board room falls silent as I enter. Gerald sits at the head of the table, Amelia Zegen beside him with her laptop open. Barbara Cho looks like she's been sucking lemons.

"Alexander." Gerald's voice is tundra cold. "We were just discussing the... interesting correlation between certain blog posts and our recent policy changes."

"Were you?" I take my seat, noting the empty chair where Mac usually sits. "I was under the impression we werediscussing our thirty percent increase in retention rates and the industry-wide adoption of our mental health initiatives."

"The timing is suspicious," Barbara cuts in. "These posts, the changes, the way our anonymous critic suddenly started supporting our policies?—"

"Supporting positive change?" I raise an eyebrow. "How suspicious."

"Mr. Drake," Amelia Zegen leans forward, "our investigation suggests the blogger has inside access to Drake Enterprises. The level of detail, the timing of certain posts..."

"The timing of progress?" I keep my voice level. "Of actual, meaningful change?"

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