Brad didn’t quit. He lingered, perhaps hoping for redemption or maybe just Wi-Fi. Every time Ethan passed his desk, Brad gave a tight smile that said both “Remember when I was your boss?” and “Please don’t remind me.” The power dynamic had never felt more balanced.
Under Ethan’s leadership, the department actually started functioning. Meetings ended on time. People left before midnight. Buzzwords were banned under threat of coffee duty. When someone accidentally said “synergy,” the room groaned collectively. The culture detox was slow, but steady.