The next day, Chase called an all-hands meeting to address the situation. Ethan decided to attend, standing at the back of the room as Chase prepared to speak. The employees trickled in, their faces wary and guarded. The tension in the air was palpable.
Chase adjusted his tie nervously, glancing at Ethan for reassurance. Ethan gave him a curt nod, silently urging him to get on with it.
"Alright, everyone," Chase began, his voice steady but not without effort. "I called this meeting because I need to be honest with you about the state of our company."
A murmur swept through the room.
"We've been struggling," Chase continued. "I know you've all felt it—delayed salaries, increased workloads, a lack of direction. And I take full responsibility for that."
Ethan crossed his arms, watching the employees' reactions. Some looked surprised, others skeptical. A few nodded, clearly relieved to hear someone finally acknowledge the problems.
Chase cleared his throat. "I also need to address a situation that's come to light. Our accountant, Doug, has been mismanaging company funds. He's no longer with us, and we've taken steps to ensure this won't happen again."
This time, the murmurs were louder, with a few gasps scattered throughout the room.
"I know this might feel like another blow," Chase said. "But I promise you, we're working to rebuild. Ethan here is helping us turn things around. With his guidance—and your support—I believe we can make this company stronger than ever."
The room fell silent, the weight of Chase's words sinking in.
One employee, a woman near the front, raised her hand. "What about our salaries? Will we be paid on time?"
Chase hesitated, glancing at Ethan.
Ethan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Salaries will be prioritized. It's non-negotiable. We'll also be implementing stricter financial oversight to prevent issues like this from happening again."
The employees exchanged uncertain glances, but there was a flicker of hope in their eyes.
Another man spoke up. "What happens if things don't improve? Are we looking at layoffs?"
Chase swallowed hard, but Ethan answered. "That's why we're making these changes—to avoid layoffs. But I won't lie to you. It's going to take effort from all of us to turn this company around. If you're willing to stick with us, we'll make it worth your while."
The room was quiet for a moment, then a few people nodded. Slowly, the tension began to ease.
After the meeting, Chase slumped into a chair in his office, looking drained.
"That was the hardest thing I've ever done," he admitted.
"It was necessary," Ethan said, leaning against the desk. "And honestly, you handled it better than I expected."
Chase gave a weak chuckle. "Thanks, I guess. Do you think they'll stick with us?"
"Some will," Ethan said. "The rest will depend on what you do next. Words are fine, but they need to see action."
Chase nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "I'll prove it to them."
Back at the apartment, Ethan recounted the meeting to Lila over dinner.
"So, Chase actually owned up to his mistakes?" Lila asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Ethan said, taking a bite of his pasta. "It wasn't perfect, but it was a start."
Lila leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Sounds like you're rubbing off on him."
"Maybe," Ethan said. "Or maybe he's finally realizing he doesn't have a choice."
Lila smirked. "Either way, I'm impressed. You're not just cleaning up Chase's mess—you're stepping up as a leader yourself."
Ethan paused, the compliment catching him off guard. "I'm just doing what needs to be done."
"Don't sell yourself short," Lila said. "Most people wouldn't bother. They'd walk away and let Chase crash and burn."
Ethan met her gaze, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I guess I've had a good influence keeping me grounded."
Lila rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched. "Don't push your luck."
As the evening wore on, Ethan found himself reflecting on how much had changed in such a short time. He'd gone from feeling aimless and defeated to tackling one of the biggest challenges of his life.
And for the first time, he didn't feel alone.
With Lila by his side, sharp and unflinching, he felt like he could handle whatever came next.
But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that the hardest battles were still ahead.