Page 98 of Miss Manage

I stood at the head of the table, glancing at the familiar faces around me. There were several people with whom I’d spent years building something. There was confusion, concern, but also the faint spark of curiosity.

“I know you’re all wondering why I called this meeting,” I began, my voice steady. “As some of you may have heard, Gabriel Chambers resigned last week. What you don’t know is why he did.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the room. I waited for silence.

“Gabriel’s sudden departure came as a shock, and it’s important to share the truth.” I paused, locking eyes with the group. “He left because he refused to be part of something unethical. A client who most of you know, Julian Harrington, made an inappropriate sexual demand of me, and when I refused, the owners told Gabriel I should’ve done whatever it took to keep him happy.”

The room went utterly still. A few jaws tightened. Olivia’s hand clenched into a fist.

“Gabriel walked out, turning down the CEO position in the process. Because he wouldn’t work for a company whose owners would treat one of their own in that way. And neither will I.”

I let my words settle before continuing. “As of this afternoon, I’ll be tendering my resignation.” The words didn’t come out shakily. They landed with calm precision. “I won’t work for a company whose leadership devalues its people or excuses harassment as strategy. That’s not the kind of organization I believe in. And because I respect each of you, I would never ask you to follow me out the door. You each have families, mortgages, responsibilities. But if you ever decide you’ve had enough, whether it’s today, tomorrow, or months from now, I hope you’ll reach out to me or to Gabriel.”

Bobby, my CIO, leaned forward. “Where are you going?”

I smiled faintly and gestured toward Rhys, who passed out sleek new business cards. “I’ve accepted a position as chief operations officer at Chambers Technology. Gabriel will be the new CFO.”

Olivia glanced up from her iPad, her eyes wide. “They’re calling for you.”

I didn’t have to ask who. The McMillion brothers, no doubt, already briefed by Julian while he did desperate damage control.

“I’m being summoned,” I remarked nonchalantly, ready for this final act. “It’s been a privilege working with all of you. Thank you.”

But first, I stepped into my office one last time. Olivia had already packed my things neatly into boxes, ready for her and Rhys to carry down the moment I was gone. Thoughtful, as always.

I crossed to the window and paused, taking in the view from the corner office that had once meant everything. My reflection stared back at me, older, wiser, infinitely freer. There had been a time when I thought this office defined success, and the skyline outside somehow validated the years I’d spent proving myself. But not any longer.

The ache I’d expected never came. No sting, no sadness. Just a quiet, steady peace.

I’d given this place my blood, sweat, and years. Built something real from the ground up. And the men upstairs had tossed it away without hesitation, too blind to see its worth.

Fine. Let them.

It was time to finish this.

Once upstairs in the executive suite, I found Rosie at her desk, her posture a little too straight, her eyes darting toward the closed conference room doors.

“Hi, Rosie,” I greeted softly, offering her a smile. “Nice to see you. How are you holding up?”

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around her pen before she set it down. “I’m…all right. Are you okay?”

I experienced a pang of guilt for the position I was about to put her in, but this wasn’t her burden to carry. “I will be,” I answered honestly. “It’s been really nice working with you all these years.”

Her brows lifted in surprise, but instead of the alarm I expected, something flickered in her eyes. Almost like understanding. “About time someone stood up to those bullies.”

That earned a real smile from me. On impulse, I reached into my bag and slid her one of my new business cards. “Keep in touch, okay?”

Her lips curved into a conspiratorial grin. “You know I will. Do you have your phone?”

“I left it downstairs with Olivia.”

“Thanks. They’re expecting you, so you can go on in.”

I took a steadying breath and walked over to push open the heavy double doors to the conference room.

Ronald’s face was already flushed, his jaw clenched so tight the veins in his neck stood out. Reggie, on the other hand, appeared amused, lounging back like this was some sort of game.

“What the hell is going on, Charlotte?” Ronald barked, slamming a folder down on the table. “Julian called and said you met for lunch, and you treated him terribly.”