The morning after Chase agreed to Ethan's terms, the contract was officially signed. The ink was barely dry when Chase called, eager to set up their first meeting. Ethan agreed, arranging to visit Chase's office that afternoon.
As he dressed, a strange sense of nostalgia crept in. The last time he'd walked into one of Chase's ventures, he was a different man—naïve, trusting, and blind to the consequences. But this time, he was determined to stay in control.
Lila watched from the couch, her legs tucked beneath her, as Ethan buttoned his shirt. "You look nervous," she said, her tone teasing but her eyes sharp.
"I'm not nervous," Ethan replied, though his hands betrayed him by fumbling with the cuff buttons.
"Right," Lila said with a smirk. "Just don't let Chase rope you into any of his emotional theatrics. Stick to the plan."
Ethan nodded. "I know."
"And text me when you're done," she added casually. "You know, in case I need to come rescue you."
Ethan rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
The office building where Chase's company operated was more modest than Ethan remembered. The sleek, glass exterior hinted at ambition, but the peeling paint on the interior walls and the half-empty lobby told a different story.
Chase greeted Ethan at the door, his smile wide and eager. "Ethan! It's good to see you, man. Come on in."
Ethan followed him into the main office space, noting the tense atmosphere. The employees seemed overworked, their desks cluttered with paperwork and half-empty coffee cups. A few glanced up as Ethan passed, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Chase led him into a small conference room, where a stack of folders awaited on the table. He gestured for Ethan to sit, then pulled up a chair across from him.
"Okay," Chase began, rubbing his hands together. "Here's everything you asked for: financial reports, employee rosters, client lists. I've laid it all out."
Ethan eyed the stack warily. "And this is everything? No hidden surprises?"
Chase hesitated, the grin faltering slightly. "Yeah, it's everything. I promise."
Ethan didn't miss the flicker of doubt in Chase's eyes, but he chose not to press—yet. He opened the first folder, scanning the contents. The numbers were worse than he'd expected. Revenue was in free fall, expenses were bloated, and key clients had either scaled back or left entirely.
"This is bad," Ethan said bluntly, setting the folder down.
Chase winced. "I know. That's why I need you. I've been trying to juggle everything, but it's like every time I fix one thing, something else falls apart."
Ethan leaned back, crossing his arms. "Let's start with the basics. What's your biggest problem right now?"
Chase hesitated, glancing at the closed door as if afraid someone might overhear. "Honestly? The staff. Morale's at an all-time low, and productivity is shot. Half of them are just waiting for the company to fold so they can jump ship."
"Why are they demotivated?" Ethan asked.
Chase ran a hand through his hair. "A mix of things—delayed salaries, increased workloads, and… well, they don't trust me anymore."
Ethan arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Chase hesitated again, avoiding Ethan's gaze. "I might have made a few promises I couldn't keep. Bonuses, promotions, stuff like that."
Ethan sighed. "You can't lead people by lying to them, Chase. If they don't trust you, they won't follow you."
"I know that now," Chase muttered, looking genuinely remorseful.
Ethan rubbed his temples, trying to ignore the growing headache. "Alright. First step is stabilizing the team. You need to be honest with them—about the company's situation and what you're doing to fix it. No more empty promises."
Chase nodded, his expression earnest. "Okay. I'll hold a meeting tomorrow and lay it all out. But what if they freak out? What if they all quit?"
"They might," Ethan admitted. "But it's better than letting them fester in resentment. You need people who are committed to turning this around, not just waiting for the ship to sink."
Chase sighed but didn't argue. "Alright. I'll do it."
As Ethan left the office later that afternoon, his mind buzzed with thoughts. The scale of the problems was overwhelming, but at least Chase seemed willing to listen. Whether that willingness would last was another question entirely.
When he stepped outside, the crisp winter air hit him, clearing some of the mental fog. He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Lila:
Meeting went fine. Chase agreed to start being honest. Baby steps.
Her reply came almost instantly: Good. Don't let him chicken out.
Ethan smiled despite himself. Lila's unwavering practicality was starting to rub off on him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was moving in the right direction.
Still, as he walked home, a nagging thought lingered at the back of his mind. Chase's hesitation, the tension in his employees, the state of the office—it all hinted at something deeper. Something Chase wasn't telling him.
And Ethan had a feeling it wouldn't stay hidden for long.