The CEO Fired Her in Front of Everyone, But He Had No Idea Who She Was
Chapter 5
The next morning, Maya returned to Hawthorne.
This time, she walked through the lobby without a security escort.
Employees stared.
Some recognized her.
Others looked confused.
Alexander was waiting outside the boardroom.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, he said, “Maya.”
She looked at him.
“Mr. Reed.”
He winced.
“You can call me Alexander.”
“I used to.”
He nodded.
“I owe you an apology.”
“Yes.”
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I should never have fired you like that.”
“No.”
Alexander paused.
Maya looked at him.
“You shouldn’t have fired me at all.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She walked past him.
The board meeting began.
William Bennett sat at the table.
Alexander stood.
Thomas looked nervous.
Ethan avoided Maya’s eyes.
Alexander addressed the room.
“The Northbridge acquisition is suspended.”
He looked toward Maya.
“And the internal investigation has confirmed serious financial irregularities.”
Thomas immediately interrupted.
“I had nothing to do with—”
Alexander raised a hand.
“Save it.”
Legal placed documents on the table.
Bank transfers.
Emails.
Payment records.
Maya watched quietly.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Thomas finally looked at Ethan.
“You said you had this handled.”
The room froze.
Alexander turned.
“What did you just say?”
Ethan’s face went pale.
Thomas realized his mistake.
Alexander looked at both men.
“You were working together?”
Ethan began shaking his head.
“Not like that.”
Maya spoke.
“You knew.”
Ethan looked at her.
“I tried to stop it.”
“You knew and said nothing.”
“I was scared.”
Alexander stared at him.
“And you let me fire her.”
Ethan looked down.
The betrayal hit Alexander harder than the financial loss.
Thomas had manipulated the numbers.
Ethan had hidden the truth.
And Alexander had trusted both of them.
Then William Bennett spoke.
“This company doesn’t need another scapegoat.”
Alexander looked at him.
“What does it need?”
“Leadership.”
William turned toward Maya.
“You know what needs to be done.”
Maya looked at the board.
“This company can survive.”
Thomas laughed bitterly.
“With what money?”
Maya answered calmly.
“With the money of the people who actually believe in it.”
She placed a document on the table.
Bennett Capital’s proposed rescue package.
But there was a condition.
Maya looked at Alexander.
“You don’t get to run this company the way you did before.”
Alexander stared at the terms.
Independent oversight.
Transparent reporting.
Executive accountability.
And one more clause.
Maya would become Chief Strategy Officer.
Alexander looked at her.
“You’re joining the executive team?”
Maya smiled.
“I’m not joining.”
She paused.
“I’m returning.”
