Chapter 1: Monday at 9:20
The notification arrived before Alejandro even finished his first cup of coffee.
ACCESS DENIED.
He frowned, swiped his badge again, and pressed harder against the security scanner.
Nothing.
The receptionist, a woman who had greeted him with a smile every morning for nearly five years, looked uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Alvarez," she whispered. "Security asked me to call them."
Alejandro laughed nervously.
"There must be some mistake."
Two security officers appeared within seconds.
"Sir, we've been instructed to escort you to Conference Room B."
His stomach tightened.
Inside the conference room sat the company's HR director, the chief legal officer, and the CFO.
No one smiled.
A single envelope rested neatly in front of his chair.
The HR director folded her hands.
"As of 9:20 this morning, your employment with Alvarez Innovations has been terminated effective immediately."
Alejandro blinked.
"What are you talking about? I'm Executive Vice President."
"You were."
The CFO slid a folder across the table.
"The Board voted unanimously this morning after reviewing evidence of serious misconduct, misuse of company authority, and violations of executive ethics."
Alejandro pushed the folder away.
"You can't fire me without Olivia."
Silence.
Then the legal officer spoke.
"It was Ms. Carter who signed the termination order."
His face lost all color.
"What?"
"The owner of the company."
For years he had proudly introduced himself as the man who built Alvarez Innovations.
He enjoyed interviews.
Magazine covers.
Business dinners.
Investors believed his speeches.
Employees assumed he owned the business.
He had never corrected them.
Because Olivia never cared about public attention.
She preferred building products while he enjoyed standing under the spotlight.
Until yesterday.
The HR director calmly continued.
"You have ten minutes to collect your personal belongings."
"My office belongs to me."
"No, sir."
She slid another document toward him.
"It belongs to Ms. Olivia Carter."
Outside the conference room, whispers spread through the executive floor.
May you like
People weren't gossiping.
They were finally telling the truth.
