Page 26 of Basil

We had discussed whether Greer should be present, but having counsel present at such a meeting could increase the risk of Drew asking for legal representation. Our goal was to have her sign the termination agreement and be on her way. If she wanted to consult a lawyer, that was her prerogative, but I was hoping that since we were giving her a generous package, she’d sign and get the fuck out of my company and my life. After all, unlike Felix, Drew didn’t come from wealth and needed her job to pay her bills.

The mood in the conference room was suffocating—like pressure building before a rainstorm.

Felix sat across from Drew. “Due to several speak-ups initiated anonymously in the engineering department, we hired an external consultant to investigate.”

Drew’s eyebrows raised. “You investigatedmydepartment without letting me know?”

Felix shrugged. “Yes, Drew, that’s how speak ups work. Legally, the person who the speak up is about is not informed.”

His expression was impassive as he slid a thick manila envelope across the sleek mahogany table.

Drew didn’t reach for it. She didn’t even look at it. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, nails digging into her sleeves. “What the hell is this?”

Felix adjusted his posture, his voice calm, professional. “It’s your severance package.”

She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Are you firing me?”

Felix didn’t flinch. “We’re relieving you of your position as Head of Engineering, effective immediately.”

Drew’s gaze snapped to me. “Basil?”

I kept my expression unreadable. “Yes, Drew.”

Her face twisted. “Are you serious right now?”

I looked at Felix who cleared his throat. “Drew, this is not just about one incident. We’ve reviewed complaints of unprofessional behavior, a high turnover rate on your team, and consistently low engagement scores under your leadership.” I folded my hands on the table. “As a senior executive, these factors indicate a failure to lead effectively.”

Drew shook her head, her breathing uneven. “This is bullshit.”

Felix remained composed. “You’re free to disagree. However, the decision stands.”

Drew exhaled sharply, shoving her chair back. “I’ll sue. Basil is firing me because his precious girlfriend dumped him. Oh, and I have a sexual harassment claim. I kissed him.”

Felix sighed patiently. “It may be the other way around, Drew, sinceyoukissed him and did it with the intention of breaking him up with his girlfriend.”

“What nonsense!”

“There was a witness to a conversation you had with Karen about your intent,” he remarked flatly.

“Who?” Her eyes widened.

“Me,” Felix admitted.

“Well, you’ve been an ass to Summer, too, why are you still here?” she demanded.

“You’re not being let go for whatever disparaging remarks you may have made aboutmygirlfriend. That’s not part of your job description. You’re being let go”—I opened my phone to find the email that had the information I needed— “for having a low engagement score of thirty-five percent two years in a row; and delaying fifty percent of all software releases by at least ninety days. Five people in their exit interviews said they left Stratos because ofyourpoor leadership. Six people from your team have stated during interviews that you have ignored their complaints about their managers, your direct reports.”

And they were right now receiving their severance packages from HR managers in Felix’s team.

“The result of the investigation is why your employment is being terminated,” I finished.

“Basil, I thought we were friends.”

“So did I,” I said bleakly.

She looked like I hit her.

“I’m not kidding, I’m going to talk to a lawyer and litigate until the cows come home,” she spat out angrily.

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