“This is an overreaction,” Gavin said. His voice was getting tight.
“Is it?”
“Yes!”
“Then tell me something.” She pointed at me. “How long has Christopher worked here?”
“Almost four years.”
“How much revenue has he helped generate in that time?”
Gavin said nothing.
Eleanor turned to the younger of her associates, a man with a tablet.
He read from the screen without any emotion at all.
“Based on the due-diligence records Mercer & Field provided to us, campaigns led or materially developed by Christopher Bennett account for approximately thirty-one percent of client revenue retained over the previous thirty-six months. He was lead strategist on four of the last six new accounts. His client retention rate is the highest in the agency.”
I stared at him. I hadn’t known that number.
Apparently, neither had Gavin.
“How many weekends did he work last year?” Eleanor asked.
Gavin said nothing.
“His average unpaid overtime?”
Nothing.
“His last raise?”
Nothing.
Then Eleanor turned to me.
“Christopher. What exactly did he say to you when you explained why you were late?”
I looked at Gavin. His whole face was begging. Please don’t.
For a second, I actually thought about protecting him. Old habit. Four years of smoothing over his mistakes. Fixing his promises to clients. Protecting a boss who almost never protected me.
Then I remembered his exact words.
“He asked whether you were my wife,” I said.
Her eyebrows went up. “Then?”
“Then he asked whether you were my mother.”
“And when you said no?”
I swallowed.
“He said I should have kept driving.”
Something changed in Eleanor Halston’s face. It wasn’t anger.
It was something worse.
Disappointment.
She turned slowly toward Gavin.
“You told him he should have kept driving.”
“I was frustrated.”
“You told a man he should have driven past a human being in medical distress because you had a slide presentation.”
“It sounds terrible when you say it like that.”
Eleanor’s voice went very quiet.
“That’s because it was terrible, Mr. Mercer.”
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.