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That evening, one by one, a series of women arrived at my office door.
These were the people I'd headhunted directly from Fortune 500 companies — recruited to replace the inner circle Garrett had planted at Holloway. I had assembled every female senior leader in the building to welcome them together.
As the introductions were underway, I caught a glimpse of Lily drifting past the glass wall outside.
My jaw tightened. If she reported back to Garrett, things could get complicated.
But my assistant sent a screenshot minutes later. Forum post:
The women in senior leadership always looked down on me here. They never dared do anything because of my connection to the CEO. But now the fiancée's gathered all of them in a room — clearly a coordinated attack. Why am I always the target?! I haven't done anything!
Comments: Because you're his! That's EXACTLY why she's threatened!
I exhaled and raised my glass.
The next morning, I went through the list of Garrett's loyalists and terminated their contracts. All of them.
Strangely, not a single one made a fuss. Some had even left personal belongings at their desks, as if they expected to be back any moment.
Lily called, sounding strained: "Miss Holloway — the other projects can absorb some disruption. But the charity gala is the day after tomorrow. Are you sure you want to let go of the people running it right now?"
I considered it.
Gala logistics were essentially admin. I could leave that one.
"Fine. Keep them."
Lily audibly relaxed. "Thank you. And please — don't interfere with Garrett's responsibilities. This gala matters to a lot of people."
I gave her a vague answer and ended the call.
Later, I caught the forum update:
The fiancée has gone absolutely rogue, firing everyone — these are the people who KEEP this company running!!! I've spent all afternoon talking people down on Garrett's behalf, waiting for her tantrum to pass so they can all be reinstated. Thank God she kept the one person she couldn't afford to lose — because even she knows she's not ready.
Comments: Serves her right for playing CEO, She kept ONE person? That's just embarrassing, He'll have to clean up her mess again, Tonight must be rough on his back lol.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.